Three cases of angel's trumpet tea-induced psychosis in adolescent substance abusers.
Christopher Göpel, Claudia Laufer, Alexander Marcus
Nordic Journal of Psychiatry 2002 DOI: 10.1080/08039480252803927 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Case study Case report Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 3 |
| Population | Adolescents and other persons who ingested angel's trumpet (alkaloid-containing ornamental plants) for hallucinogenic effects |
| Key findings | The authors report three cases of severe toxic psychosis with hallucinations, disorientation, and agitation after drinking angel's trumpet tea, with only mild or no vegetative anticholinergic symptoms. They contend that the plant's spread in Europe and North America makes intoxications with large numbers of fatalities likely, and argue that prevention messages should emphasize medical dangers rather than hallucinogenic effects. |
Abstract
An increase of intoxications in persons using alkaloid-containing ornamental plants (mainly angel's trumpet) for their hallucinogenic effects and easy and cheap availability is registered. It is mainly adolescents who are experimenting with these plants. In addition to severe vegetative anticholinergic symptoms, the clinical picture is often dominated by a toxic psychosis with hallucinations, disturbances of orientation, and psychomotoric agitation, aggression, or anxiety. Three cases of severe psychotic pictures with only mild or completely missing vegetative symptoms after ingestion of angel's trumpet tea are reported. Caused by the increasing spreading of angel's trumpet shrubberies in Europe and North America, intoxications with large numbers of fatalities have to be expected in the future. The taxonomical, pharmacological, and clinical aspects of angel's trumpet-induced disorders are discussed. Knowledge of the clinical picture is important for correct diagnosis and treatment. Prevention by mass media should mainly focus on the medical fatalities of abuse and not emphasize the hallucinogenic effects, presumably increasing unwanted interest for these plants among youths.