Devil's breath aka scopolamine
The common name for the drug that is produced from the Borrachero Tree is the Devil's Breath, but it can also be known as Scopolamine.
Scopolamine is a compound that is classified as a tropane alkaloid, which is able to suppress parts of the central nervous system by targeting certain receptors (Scopolamine or "The Devil's Breath", the Drug that Nullifies Your Will, 2018). Once these receptors are blocked off, it prevents the involuntary muscle movements in areas such as the lungs, GI tract, urinary tact, and other muscles, which affects digestion, urination, salivation, and other involuntary movements.
In small doses, it can treat medical problems related to the systems targeted, but after a certain amount enters the body, it can cause serious adverse effects on a person.
Scopolamine is a compound that is classified as a tropane alkaloid, which is able to suppress parts of the central nervous system by targeting certain receptors (Scopolamine or "The Devil's Breath", the Drug that Nullifies Your Will, 2018). Once these receptors are blocked off, it prevents the involuntary muscle movements in areas such as the lungs, GI tract, urinary tact, and other muscles, which affects digestion, urination, salivation, and other involuntary movements.
In small doses, it can treat medical problems related to the systems targeted, but after a certain amount enters the body, it can cause serious adverse effects on a person.
where it comes from
The powder itself is made from the seeds of the fruit of the tree. The actual fruit is referred to as the "cacao sabanero" which looks like a mini coconut; the cacao is cracked open and that is where they take the seeds from. Each cacao contains about 30 seeds, but it only take one small seed to poison a person, which is why Scopolamine is only given in very small doses in the medical field. In order to make it into a powder, it has to go through a chemical process similar to how cocaine powder is made from the coca plant. The seeds need to be soaked in certain chemicals in order to extract the drug from the seeds so that it can be made into the powder (Vice, 2012).
effects on the body
In order for Scopolamine to be therapeutic, it needs to be given at a small dose and a specialized rate in order to prevent severe side effects from manifesting. For example there are certain patches that people can wear that releases the medication at a certain rate and this slowed absorption prevents the body from being overwhelmed (Drugs, 2020).
When it is used as the powder in a much higher, concentrated dose, it can put a person in a zombie-like state (Devlin, 2017). Too many neurotransmitters are being blocked off and that is when the body begins to manifest the adverse effects of the drug. Not only does it cause the victim to mechanically follow any order given to them, but it also causes memory loss, powerful hallucinations, and a loss of free will.
Apart from the psychological effects that it causes, it can impact systems throughout your entire body. Accelerated heart rate, shortness of breath, blurry vision, seizures, and serious allergic reactions are other serious negative effects that can be caused when a person is exposed to this drug (Devil's Breath: Why Scopolamine Abuse is so Terrifying, 2019).
When it is used as the powder in a much higher, concentrated dose, it can put a person in a zombie-like state (Devlin, 2017). Too many neurotransmitters are being blocked off and that is when the body begins to manifest the adverse effects of the drug. Not only does it cause the victim to mechanically follow any order given to them, but it also causes memory loss, powerful hallucinations, and a loss of free will.
Apart from the psychological effects that it causes, it can impact systems throughout your entire body. Accelerated heart rate, shortness of breath, blurry vision, seizures, and serious allergic reactions are other serious negative effects that can be caused when a person is exposed to this drug (Devil's Breath: Why Scopolamine Abuse is so Terrifying, 2019).