Jimson Weed-Please Read

[Nicki Laycoax]

Recently, some teens in my neighborhood have discovered a plant called Jimson Weed. This weed is highly poisonous and is also a hallucinogenic LEGAL drug. It is also known as angel's trumpet, devil's weed, thorn apple, tolguacha, Jamestown weed, stinkweed, datura, moonflower. The high comes from eating and/or smoking the seeds, flowers, and/or brewing tea made from the plant.

Symptoms include incoherent speech, impaired coordination; rapid heartbeat; and dry, flushed or hot skin. In extreme cases, users can experience seizures, intense visual or auditory hallucinations, or cardiac arrest.

Here are some links to share and educate yourself, family, and friends:

http://xnet.kp.org/permanentejournal/fall02/jimson.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Datura_stramonium

http://images.google.com/images?q=jimson+weed&oe=utf-8&rls=...

A few videos:

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=jimson+weed&search_...

As a parent, I am extremely alarmed and concerned. I hope that this spreads fast enough that we don’t lose any kids to a new fad drug that will be experimented with just because it is available, legal, and we are uneducated about it.

[Michael W. Gant]

Thanks for putting this out here Nicki! With a 14yo myself, this stuff is scary.

He's (knock on wood.) a great kid. However, they can all make mistakes. This one could be deadly.

Thanks again!
MG

[Kristen Horton]

Thanks for bringing this to light Nicki!

Here is some additional information:

From the National Library of Medicine - National Institutes of Health

Jimsonweed

Jimsonweed is a tall herb plant. Jimsonweed poisoning occurs when someone sucks the juice or eats the seeds from this plant. You can also be poisoned by drinking tea made from the leaves.

This is for information only and not for use in the treatment or management of an actual poison exposure. If you have an exposure, you should call your local emergency number (such as 911) or the National Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222.

Poisonous Ingredient

* Atropine
* Hyoscine (scopolamine)
* Hyoscyamine
* Tropane alkaloids

Note: This list may not include all poisonous ingredients.

Where Found

The poison is found in all parts of the plant, especially the leaves and seeds.

Symptoms

* Bladder and kidneys
Little to no urine production (urine retention)
* Eyes, ears, nose, throat, and mouth
Blurred vision
Dilated pupils
Dry mouth
* Gastrointestinal
Nausea
Vomiting
* Heart and blood
Elevated blood pressure
Rapid pulse
* Nervous system
Coma
Convulsions
Death
Delirium
Dizziness
Hallucinations
Headache
* Skin
Red skin
* Whole Body
Fever
Thirst

Home Care

Seek immediate medical help. Do NOT make a person throw up unless told to do so by Poison Control or a health care professional.

Before Calling Emergency

Determine the following information:

* Patient's age, weight, and condition
* Name of the plant
* Time it was swallowed
* Amount swallowed

Poison Control

The National Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222) can be called from anywhere in the United States. This national hotline number will let you talk to experts in poisoning. They will give you further instructions.

This is a free and confidential service. All local poison control centers in the United States use this national number. You should call if you have any questions about poisoning or poison prevention. It does NOT need to be an emergency. You can call for any reason, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

See: Poison control center - emergency number

What to Expect at the Emergency Room

The health care provider will measure and monitor your vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure. Symptoms will be treated as appropriate. You may receive:

* Activated charcoal
* Laxative
* Medicine (antidote) to reverse the effects of the poison
* Tube through the mouth into the stomach to wash out the stomach (gastric lavage)

Outlook (Prognosis)

How well you do depends on the amount of poison swallowed and how quickly treatment is received. The faster you get medical help, the better the chance for recovery.