Angel's Trumpet psychosis: a central nervous system anticholinergic syndrome.
R C Hall, M K Popkin, L E Mchenry
American Journal of Psychiatry March 1977 DOI: 10.1176/ajp.134.3.312 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Commentary Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Intervention | Intravenous physostigmine |
| Key points | The authors warn that Angel's Trumpet (Datura suaveolens) intoxication is becoming more frequent as adolescents and young adults use it as a legal, readily available hallucinogen. Ingestion of its flowers or a tea brewed from them causes an alkaloid-induced central nervous system anticholinergic syndrome, with severe cases risking flaccid paralysis, convulsions, and death. Intravenous physostigmine reverses the toxic effects. |
Abstract
The authors warn physicians that intoxication by Angel's Trumpet (Datura sauveolens) is becoming more frequent due to its use by adolescents and young adults as a legal, readily available hallucinogen. Ingestion of Angel's Trumpet flowers or a tea brewed from them results in an alkaloid-induced central nervous system anticholinergic syndrome characterized by symptoms such as fever, delirium, hallucinations, agitation, and persistent memory disturbances. Severe intoxication may cause flaccid paralysis, convulsions, and death. Treatment with intravenous physostigmine reverses the toxic effects of Angel's Trumpet.