Scopolamine is a drug known as Devil’s Breath. Many people associate it with Colombia, but it is actually found in other countries as well. It comes from the scopolia plant. This plant can be found near Bogota, Colombia as well as in other areas of the country.
This plant was first documented nearly two-hundred years ago and has seen some use as a medicinal plant in the past. Some medicinal uses of scopolamine include relief of: nausea, gastrointenstinal spasms, irritable bowel syndrome, and eye inflammation.
Hyoscine is an anti-spasmodic drug when used in low dosages and can help relax muscle tissues. It also can have some uses as a preparation drug for some surgeries. In addition to these things, it can also produce a loss of memory and hallucinations in larger doses. It mimics benzodiazepines and alcohol poisoning in some cases. Actually, many cases that are blamed on scopolamine around the world often turn out to be due to similar drugs or chemicals.
How Common Is Scopolamine Poisoning?
According to government statistics, over 50,000 incidents of scopolamine poisoning occur in Colombia each year. Often times, this drug is used by robbers in order to incapacitate their victims.
I have met a few foreigners and locals who claim to have been victims or who knew victims of this drug. The stories vary in some little details, but they always ended in the person losing money, belongings, or worse.
There was a common theme among most of the people I spoke with; they were up to no good! It often happens to people whom are involved with prostitutes, get drunk at bars, or have no common sense and walk around by themselves at night in bad neighborhoods. Most often though, it seems to happen at nightclubs, restaurants, and bars; places where people eat and drink. I also heard a story of a guy getting it from buying ice cream on the street, but that story sounded pretty silly to me.
How Can I Avoid Being A Victim of Scopolamine?
Use common sense and be aware of your surroundings. Never leave your food unattended in a public area, or even on a date at your apartment if you don’t know the person too well. Don’t go to a bar and accept drinks from strangers, or hang out with prostitutes. If you go to bars and nightclubs, as I mentioned above, always keep an eye on your drinks. Be careful of Tinder dates too, I have heard a few stories of men being drugged by Tinderellas in Colombia. Netflix and chill can quickly become, Netflix, sleep, and dude, where’s my iPhone, wallet, credit cards, clothes, and laptop.
Scopolamine Myths
One common myth is that you can get it by being handed a business card or a flyer. This is simply not true. The amount of the substance you would need to ingest is far more than you would receive by handling a piece of paper laced with it.
It’s not just restricted to Colombia. I have heard of its use in: Peru, Ecuador, Venezuela, Guayana, Suriname, Brazil, Panama, Costa Rica, Mexico, and even Europe(!?) as well.
Final Thoughts On Scopolamine
While I have heard many foreigners and locals talk about this drug, I have never personally experienced it or (to my knowledge) witness someone under its influence. Regardless, this is not a reason to let your guard down should you being traveling alone or with friends in Latin America.
Most incidents seem to happen when people’s drinks are spiked with scopolamine. So that is definitely the main way to avoid falling victim to it. Never completely trust strangers either, the world is not Andy Griffith’s “Mayberry”.
Have you been a victim of scopolamine, or do you have some interesting stories to share about it? Comment below if it is so!
