Latest news with #scopolamine
The Sun
a day ago
- The Sun
Mum issues scary warning after revealing way stranger tried to ‘drug' her on the train when she was alone with her baby
A MUM has shared an urgent warning about the horrific new way criminals are trying to drug women on public transport. Aysin Cilek, 22, was travelling on a train to Birmingham 's Moor Street last week with her daughter when the alleged incident took place. 4 4 The mum-of-one says she was approached by a stranger who she now believes was trying to drug her with Devil's Breath. The substance, which is also known as scopolamine, has been dubbed the 'world's scariest drug.' Victims say it puts them in a zombie-like state and can make you confused and easy to manipulate, while others say it's nothing but a myth. But Aysin claims a man tried to drug her with it while travelling with her baby daughter, Neveah. Taking to social media, she said: "Guys, the scariest thing happened to me today and I am literally just posting this for awareness, for other people, for other mums. Please be careful." Aysin said she got on the train and 'everything was fine' until a 'dodgy looking' man joined her carriage. She added: "Just as we were getting to the next stop, he comes over and he's like 'hi'. He passes me a stamp but it's obviously not a stamp - it literally looks like an acid tab. "But I wasn't thinking straight. He passes me this thing and I take it off him. I thought he was trying to sell me something. And he goes 'Can you put my stamp on my letter?'" Aysin initially agreed to help him out but soon backed out when he asked her to 'lick it.' She said the man told her 'you need to lick it [the 'stamp']. You need to get it wet to stick it on there'. 4 Ket had me peeing every 2 seconds Later on, she claims he may have had more sinister intentions. She continued: "The 'letter' wasn't even a letter, it was a piece of paper. "This guy was definitely trying to drug me. It was just me and Nevaeh. I'm actually getting teary thinking about it. If I was that stupid to just lick the stamp and put it on, I could have been drugged, and Neveah could have been gone. "This is serious guys, you need to be so careful when you're out and about. I would never ever have imagined something like that would happen to me. I've never been so scared in my life." To make things even worse, the man kept peering into her pram, saying 'don't wake the baby'. Now, the mum says she won't be getting on public transport alone again and is afraid to leave her own house. She says she reported the incident to the British Transport Police and enquiries are ongoing. A spokesperson for the police confirmed to the MailOnline that a complaint was made. The clip quickly went viral on her TikTok account @ aysincilek2 with over 3 million views and people were quick to share their thoughts. One person wrote: "This is actually so awful. Please report this. I've never heard of devil's breath ever! I am so glad you and your baby are okay." Another commented: "This is so scary for people, especially who aren't aware of devil's breath. I'm so sorry that this happened to you." "Stop being 'nice' to strange men you come across in the street. Ignore them and keep walking, especially if you're with your child," penned a third. What is Devil's Breath? REPORTS of the Devil's Breath drug have been seen across South American, Europe and even in the UK. Some people may take the drug on purpose for a "dream-like state" it can induce, mistakenly thinking it will be like mainstream hallucinogens like LSD. But Devil's Breath hallucinations tend to be far more disturbing and disjointed, often manifesting as nightmarish visions or confusing scenarios that blur the lines of reality. It may also be taken by mistake due to its close resemblance to cocaine. The correct dosage of the drug is notoriously hard to pin down, and even a slight miscalculation can lead to an overdose. This can lead to respiratory failure, acute psychosis and even death. Symptoms may include dry mouth, difficulty speaking, lethargy, hallucinations, rapid heartbeat and disorientation. Source: The UKAT Group Meanwhile a fourth said: "Do not take things that have been offered to you that's all I say." "Legitimately never heard of this before this video so thank you for raising awareness!' claimed a fifth Someone else added: "Scary, and worse still. If it was a grandparent might not have thought twice as we are old school and stamps always used to be licked." 4
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Daily Mail
Mother shares urgent warning about terrifying way criminals could be trying to drug young women with 'Devil's Breath' on public transport
A mother has shared an urgent warning about the terrifying new way criminals are trying to drug young girls on public transport. Aysin Cilek, 22, was travelling via train to Birmingham Moor Street last Tuesday when she was approached by a stranger, whom she now believes was trying to drug her with 'Devil's Breath', also known as scopolamine or burundanga. The substance, which has been dubbed the 'world's scariest drug', is derived from the Borrachero tree and was once used by the CIA as a truth serum. Victims are said to be rendered into a zombie-like state with as little as 10mg, making them easy to manipulate, hallucinate, and follow commands, sometimes with fatal consequences. Some however claim the alleged scam is little more than an urban myth. Aysin was travelling alone with her baby daughter Neveah in a pram when an unknown man came up to her, asking her to help him with a 'stamp' for his letter. But alarm bells soon rang for the young mother when he wanted her to 'lick' the stamp, saying he couldn't do so himself as he was 'fasting'. Aysin now believes the stamp was laced with Devil's Breath and quickly took to TikTok to issue a warning to other young women. She shared, in a video: 'Guys, the scariest thing happened to me today and I am literally just posting this for awareness, for other people, for other mums. Please be careful.' Aysin said she got on the train and 'everything was fine' until a 'dodgy looking' man joined her carriage. She continued: 'Just as we were getting to the next stop, he comes over and he's like "hi". He passes me a stamp but it's obviously not a stamp - it literally looks like an acid tab. 'But I wasn't thinking straight. He passes me this thing and I take it off him. I thought he was trying to sell me something. And he goes "Can you put my stamp on my letter?"' Aysin initially agreed to help him out but soon backed out when he asked her to 'lick it' She said the man told her 'you need to lick it [the 'stamp']. You need to get it wet to stick it on there'. She added: 'He had his fingers all over this piece of paper, stamp thing. And he was like "you need to lick it!".' The "letter" wasn't even a letter, it was a piece of paper. 'This guy was definitely trying to drug me. It was just me and Nevaeh. I'm actually getting teary thinking about it. If I was that stupid to just lick the stamp and put it on, I could have been drugged, and Neveah could have been gone. 'This is serious guys, you need to be so careful when you're out and about. I would never ever have imagined something like that would happen to me. I've never been so scared in my life.' She now says she won't be getting public transport any more or 'ever ever again' on her own and is afraid to leave the house alone Although the man got off at the next stop, Aysin grew even more worried about his behaviour when he began peering into her pram, saying 'don't wake the baby'. She now says she won't be getting public transport any more or 'ever ever again' on her own and is afraid to leave the house alone. She's since reported the incident to the British Transport Police and enquiries are ongoing. Taking to the comments, people were left shocked and also emphasised the importance of never accepting an item from a stranger - even if just to hold it. They wrote: 'Do not take things that have been offered to you that's all I say'; 'If a random person tries to give u something u NEVER it let alone licking it!'; 'Stop being 'nice' to strange men you come across in the street. Ignore them and keep walking, especially if you're with your child'; 'Scary, and worse still. If it was a grandparent might not have thought twice as we are old school and stamps always used to be licked.' On TikTok, people emphasised the importance of never accepting anything from strangers WHAT IS DEVIL'S BREATH? Devil's Breath, also known as scopolamine or burundanga, which has been dubbed the 'world's scariest drug', is derived from the Borrachero tree and was once used by the CIA as a truth serum. Victims are said to be rendered into a zombie-like state with as little as 10mg, making them easy to manipulate, hallucinate, and follow commands, sometimes with fatal consequences. It is also used by some as a recreational drug - but the visions it causes are said to be far more disturbing than those caused by LSD. It also has 'amnesiac' properties meaning that users of the drug may not be able to recall their own actions. Some however claim the alleged scam is little more than an urban myth. The US State Department has recorded unofficial estimated of 50,000 incidents a year in Colombia. They previously published advice for US Citizens visiting South America: 1. Avoid going to nightclubs and bars on your own 2. Never leave your food or drink unattended 3. Never accept food or drink from strangers 4. Never leave restaurants, bars or clubs with strangers A spokesperson for the British Transport Police told MailOnline: 'Officers were contacted on Tuesday 23 July by a woman in her 20s who was concerned about a man's behaviour, after he asked her to lick a postage stamp when she was on a train to Birmingham New Street earlier in the day. 'Enquiries into the nature of the incident are ongoing.' Last month, Deborah Oscar also claimed she was a victim of a similar situation as she travelled on the Elizabeth Line in London - leading to fears that the drug has arrived in the UK. Speaking on a TikTok video, she said: 'Today I am on the train, this is the first train, so the train is empty, the previous one had just left a few seconds earlier so I was one of the first people who got on the train. 'So I sat down and had the whole carriage to myself. 'A few minutes later I noticed someone walking very slowly and I looked up and I am thinking "this woman is walking very slowly, what is going on" and when I looked up I realised that she was staring in my direction.' She goes on to describe that at first she thought this person was a tourist about to ask her for directions, but things start taking an unusual twist. The TikToker, who goes by the handle @debyoscar, went on: 'She walks and stands in front of me, so at this point I'm like "how can I help you because this train is empty" and she is looking at me, and I am like "how can I help?"' She explains that this mysterious woman is holding a newspaper and is 'waving it around' in a 'really strange' manner. 'She makes her way very slowly, still maintaining eye contact, and she sits down next to me,' the woman explains. She then tells that as the train moves, all of a sudden she starts feeling dizzy and very high, and she describes 'the room getting very dark and it's spinning'. She started to worry that it may be low blood sugar and that she may be about to faint. She then remembered that she had previously watched a video about the drug which causes similar symptoms. She said: 'In the groggy state, I start thinking "Oh my Gosh, is this what I think it is?" 'I pick up my phone and I leave a very groggy voice note to my sister in Italian. The woman is still staring at me and I start [describing the woman's appearance].' To make things even creepier, she then claims the woman, while still looking at her, starts to walk away to another carriage. 'Then I remembered, in those videos [about the drug], they normally leave and somebody else will swoop in and basically lead you to cash machine and lead you to transfer your money to them.' She claims she stood up in the train and moved to the next carriage and spotted a man and a woman who were sat one seat apart from each other in an otherwise empty carriage. 'I thought, what if these are the people that are watching me, because where they are sat they could clearly see where I was sat earlier.' She said she felt 'dread' and thought 'you need to get out now'. She claims she waited for the doors to almost close to leave the carriage. 'I waited until I heard the doors beep, and as soon as the doors beep I stood up and when I stood up the two South Asian people in front of me immediately looked at me and then looked at each other, and that was all I needed to see. 'I stumbled out of the train, and the doors closed behind me. When the fresh air hits me, the dizziness feeling subsides.' She finished the video by saying: 'I don't know what that was. I don't know if it was black magic, a spell, or hypnotherapy, whatever it is, it was scary, but it was very real. 'I am just here to warn you to be careful and be wary.' She added: 'I am thankful God that I left before they could do anything because I am planning a wedding so my account would have fed them for a few years, you know. So I am just thankful that didn't happen to me. But please be wary, they are in London.' In May, it was reported that violent organised crime groups in Colombia were reportedly using Devil's Breath to kidnap and rob British tourists. Feared mobsters are using it to drug unsuspecting tourists after ensnaring them with honey trap schemes through dating apps like Tinder and Grindr. Hundreds of people in Colombia are thought to have been targeted with the drug. Colombian police reportedly fear London-based scientist Alessandro Coatti, 38, may have died after being targeted this way. The molecular biologist was staying at a hostel in the scenic historic centre of the coastal city of Santa Marta while on holiday. Colombian detectives fear Mr Coatti may have gone to an abandoned house in the southern San José del Pando area of the city after connecting with someone on Grindr, The Daily Telegraph reported. The drug is thought to have been used before in honey trap schemes in Colombia. Footage of two women with a man in the city of Medellin was previously shared online. Video showed the man carrying a paper bag and keying in the code for the entrance door's security lock. One of the women, dressed in a black bodysuit, looked forward while her accomplice, wearing a similar pink outfit, turned around and looked towards a group of people that were standing near their motorcycles. The individual then opened the door as the suspects followed him into the home - where the alleged robbery took place. Once inside, the women allegedly drugged the man with powdered scopolamine, otherwise known as the 'Devil's Breath,' which causes a person to become disoriented. The women fled with the victim's money, jewelry and cell phone. According to Medellín authorities, at least 254 people were robbed in 2023 by criminals who exposed them to powdered scopolamine.
The Sun
13-07-2025
- Health
- The Sun
How ‘Devil's Breath' zombie drug used to spike victims is flooding hols hotspots – as Brit target gives chilling warning
YOU'RE enjoying a night out - partying with friends - when suddenly you begin to feel woozy, you feel your heartbeat increase, you start to see hallucinations and you find you can't even speak. Then you black out, waking up hours or even days later with no memory of what has just happened - you may have been spiked with a terrifying drug known as the "Devil's Breath". 11 11 11 Tourists and revellers around the globe fear they are being targeted with the mysterious drug - which is said to turn people into "zombies". It has been linked to tens of thousands of crimes in South America - and is even behind several deaths. It's also been reported in European holiday hotspots, including in the UK. Officially called scopolamine, the "Devil's Breath" is derived from the toxic Borrachero tree from South America and it has become a weapon of choice for criminals. Once tested by the CIA as a truth serum, the drug renders its victims powerless, compliant, and blank — leaving them unable to resist, and often unable to recall anything afterwards. A leading UK addiction specialist told The Sun that the misuse of Devil's Breath could pose one of the most dangerous threats to the public - with it being used by criminals in robberies, assaults and sexual attacks. And a top Spanish anti-drug cop has issued a warning to tourists - telling them be on the lookout for Devil's Breath in party hotspots. Meanwhile, a British woman who claims to have been spiked with the mind-warping drug also issued a stark warning to both holidaymakers and people on nights out. Zaheen Ahmed, director at UK Addiction Treatment, told The Sun the drug can cause terrifying symptoms - with users becoming vulnerable almost instantly, with symptoms likened to sedation, confusion, and memory loss, he explained. 'It will create hallucinations," Mr Ahmed said. "A person will have difficulty around their thinking. That's why people use it in criminal activity... it can be a really dangerous weapon. 'It can be one of the world's most dangerous [drugs], given what it can do to people if it's used the wrong way.' Inside Europe's 'cocaine capital' where gangsters bomb cafes, gun down children & X in terrifying wave of drug violence And he described how the drug's method of administration makes it far more threatening than typical date-rape drugs. He explained: 'For example, with other drugs, they have to mix it and someone has to digest it. 'But with Devil's Breath, someone can hold it in their hand and just blow it on your face — so how are you going to protect yourself?' 'EERIE AND VERY ODD' The drug has already been implicated in several chilling deaths. In 2019, Irish dancer Adrian Murphy was murdered in London after being poisoned with scopolamine by a woman he met on Grindr. She and her boyfriend were convicted of his murder and the attempted murder of another man. More recently, Alessandro Coatti, a 42-year-old British-based scientist, was discovered dismembered in Santa Marta, Colombia. Lured via a dating app, investigators suspect he was drugged before being brutally murdered. His severed limbs were scattered across the city — a hotel wristband was all that remained to identify him. Devil's Breath is now feared to be making its way into UK cities - with one woman Deborah Oscar believing she narrowly escaped an attack while riding the Elizabeth Line. She told The Sun: 'I suddenly felt very peaceful. Like the first few seconds when you have anaesthesia before a surgery.' The 30-year-old content creator said she was riding a nearly empty train when a woman wafted a newspaper in her face, stared intently, and sat beside her. Moments later, Deborah said she felt lightheaded and unnaturally calm. "I assumed she was a confused tourist about to ask for directions," she recalled. "But she just maintained eye contact — it felt eerie and very odd." Deborah managed to escape by switching carriages and disembarking early — a decision she now believes may have saved her life. "If I hadn't seen those videos, I would probably have just sat there and I don't know what would have happened." Her TikTok story has since gone viral, with 20 people in the UK saying they had similar experiences, and hundreds more abroad sharing suspicions of being drugged with scopolamine. "The criminals know there are few repercussions," she said. "What can you do when you tell the police you gave someone your own phone or bag?" She added: "Nobody wants to be rude or appear paranoid. But it's better to recognise the situation and flee and be safe than to take a risk." British Transport Police confirmed they are aware of the video - but no formal report has been filed. And Transport for London also said they were investigating the incident - describing it as "extremely frightening". While Mr Ahmed stressed the need for toxicology information, he didn't rule out the possibility of Deborah being exposed to scopolamine in the reported attack. He said: 'It is a high chance this can happen easily… there are drugs available that can instantly affect a human being. 'If that's the case [the attack was made with scopolamine], it will completely change the whole game — how people are going to rob people, snatch things… the situation will become really dangerous.' 11 And Deborah is not the only person who claims to have been hit with the drug in the UK. American tourist and crypto investor Jacob Irwin-Cline, 30, claims to have been spiked and robbed while in a fake Uber in London. He claims he was robbed for around £100,000 after smoking a cigarette laced with what he believes was Devil's Breath. Irwin-Cline says he was offered the smoke by the driver - but then started to feel dazed, drowsy and passed out after a leaving a Soho nightclub. He claimed he was left "really docile" and has vague memories of the driver asking him for his passkeys on his crypto apps. He then passed out after around 30 minutes. The US tech whiz suspects he was hit with scopolamine, the Devil's Breath, during the suspected spiking on May 9. What is Devil's Breath? REPORTS of the Devil's Breath drug have been seen across South American, Europe and even in the UK. Some people may take the drug on purpose for a "dream-like state" it can induce, mistakenly thinking it will be like mainstream hallucinogens like LSD. But Devil's Breath hallucinations tend to be far more disturbing and disjointed, often manifesting as nightmarish visions or confusing scenarios that blur the lines of reality. It may also be taken by mistake due to its close resemblance to cocaine. The correct dosage of the drug is notoriously hard to pin down, and even a slight miscalculation can lead to an overdose. This can lead to respiratory failure, acute psychosis and even death. Symptoms may include dry mouth, difficulty speaking, lethargy, hallucinations, rapid heartbeat and disorientation. Source: The UKAT Group Hermelo Molero, a top Spanish anti-drug cop based in Bilbao, issued a chilling warning to tourists on how they can be targeted - especially in nightlife-heavy spots abroad. Spain recorded its first case of the zombie drug being used in 2016 - when a 36-year-old woman in Majorca tested positive for the substance. He told The Sun: "It is always related to nightlife, especially crowded nightclubs. "In summer, it is common to look for places full of tourists where the victim is even more defenceless." What's more chilling is that the substance isn't just used for theft - but more heinous crimes too. Mr Molero continued: "This type of substance is used for crimes against property [robbery] and sexual aggression, as these drugs are used to subdue the victims, who do not have the same defence options." Alongside being wafted in victim's faces, the drug is "easily dissolved in drinks" - with criminals using "the victim's carelessness with a drink that is being ingested," the drug chief explained. He added: "Generally, when it is to steal, the offenders are usually two or more people, especially if they have the intention of not only stealing your belongings but also want to steal from your home or hotel. "If the interest is sexual, it is usually a sexual predator who acts individually." Mr Molero warned holidaymakers to "always keep your drinks under control" and stressed the importance of maintaining "a high level of awareness" as "if we are very drunk we will hardly be able to control our drinks". He said: "If it is a bottle use the stopper to protect it and if it is a glass it is not a bad option to put a paper napkin over [it]." Mr Ahmed recommends the public stay cautious in crowded spaces and consider basic protective measures. 'If someone is blowing [powder], they might wear a mask or something that will protect them,' he said. Chemical hypnosis Just 10 milligrams of scopolamine can obliterate a person's free will. The drug disrupts memory formation and suppresses higher brain function, leaving the victim suggestible and eerily cooperative - handing over PINs, passwords, and valuables without hesitation. Criminal gangs in Colombia are dispersing the drug in drinks, gum, cigarettes — even business cards soaked in the substance — often after luring victims via dating apps like Tinder or Grindr. Grapefruit juice enhances the drug's potency, slowing its breakdown and increasing absorption in the gut. In Bogotá and Medellín, the tactics are disturbingly creative: sprinkled scopolamine on jackets, ATMs, even elevator buttons. Victims faint, blackout, or enter a dream-like obedience state — all before realising what's happened. 11 11 11 Tourist deaths in Colombia - many of them drug linked - surged by 29% last year, and Medellín saw a 200% spike in Devil's Breath robberies in the final quarter of 2023 alone. The US Embassy has since issued a high-alert advisory, warning: 'Use of dating apps can increase your risk.' One of the alleged masterminds is Carolina Mejía Montoya, 27, dubbed The Queen of Scopolamine. The 'Scopolamine Queen' She is believed to have led a multimillion-peso theft ring in Medellín, using her looks to charm foreign tourists before drugging and stripping them of cash, cards, and jewellery. CCTV shows her ushering victims into short-term rentals — where they were later found drugged and confused. On one night alone, she allegedly stole 120 million pesos from two men. Despite previously being placed under house arrest, she vanished and continued her spree — until police finally caught up with her. 'You do anything they say' The impact of Devil's Breath is described by victims as both hypnotic and terrifying. Fernando, a 64-year-old from the UK, believes he fell victim while on a business trip to Bogotá back in 2012. He told The Telegraph: 'It's very dangerous because you're totally hypnotised, you do anything they say.' After drinking what he suspects was a spiked beer, Fernando blacked out and woke up the following day with €1,000 missing. CCTV later showed him returning to his hotel, retrieving a bank card from his safe, and leaving again—all while still under the drug's influence. 'It does something to your brain where you forget completely… it's like a vacuum,' he added. Robbed without remembering it Others have faced even worse outcomes. A Colombian TikTok user known as Juan Esteban 'Manning' recounted being drugged after a Tinder date and waking up six hours later in a looted apartment, stripped of everything from designer clothes to flip-flops. 'It was the worst experience. I woke up and found myself lying in my apartment, a mess,' he said, according to Infobae. Security footage showed his date calmly walking out with stolen suitcases. And it's not limited to nightlife or dating apps. In Bogotá, attackers have used scopolamine in broad daylight — dusted on jackets, notebooks, even ATM keypads. The drug's power lies in its stealth — most victims don't realise they've been exposed until far too late. Many never report it out of confusion, embarrassment or shame. Toxicology professor Kamyar Afarinkia explained the drug's ease of use: 'You can get a business card, soak it in [scopolamine], let it dry and then give it to somebody. 'When they touch it, unless they wash their hands quickly, it gets absorbed under their skin.' In North Carolina, Charlotte resident Paranda Davis took to Facebook to sound the alarm after a close friend was allegedly drugged by a stranger. 'She remembered a Hispanic woman approaching her… and then everything went blank,' Davis wrote. Hospital tests later confirmed Scopolamine was in her system, according to Davis. 'This incident happened right here in Charlotte, NC and I know the victim personally,' she posted. 'She gave me full permission to share her story in hopes of warning others.' Davis urged followers to stay alert, noting criminals may 'blow it in your face, lace your drink, or put it on paper, cards, or handshakes.' Another Facebook user, Angela Moore, reposted Davis' warning, adding: 'This exactly what happened to me.' Critics and doubts Not all experts agree on the scale of the threat. Former government toxicologist Dr Les King argues the effects of scopolamine might be overstated. He notes that the drug is a solid, not a gas, and claims it would be difficult to absorb enough through casual contact to incapacitate someone. 'Just picking up something that's been impregnated with this drug is not going to cause you any harm,' Dr King said. He added that other drugs like benzodiazepines may be behind many reported cases, citing a lack of toxicological evidence for scopolamine-related attacks. But for Deborah — and many others — the danger feels very real. 'The more people that know,' she said, 'the more people that might be able to help. Or help someone else who is being targeted.' 'Trust your gut,' Deborah warns. 'It's best to be wary — than to be a victim.'
The Sun
04-07-2025
- Health
- The Sun
Common anti-sickness drug chillingly dubbed ‘devil's breath' is turning people ‘into Zombies', experts warn
A COMMON motion sickness drug has a chilling dual identity, as it's deployed in the criminal underworld to turn people into pliant "zombies". Dubbed "devil's breath", the substance can erase people's memories and strip them of their free will, leaving them unable to resist demands. 3 3 In medicine, the drug is known as scopolamine. It's used to prevent motion sickness and nausea and is available in tablet form in pharmacies, sold over-the-counter. But the same plants used to produce anti-sickness pills yield a compound that's been put to dangerous use in parts of South America and Europe. Now, there are concerns scopolamine is being used to fuel criminal activity in the UK. Reports of devil's breath mostly come Colombia and other parts of South America, burundanga - as it's known - has been implicated in countless robberies and sexual assaults. As for Europe, three people were arrested in Paris in 2015 for allegedly using the drug to turn people into compliant 'zombies' and rob them. The UK's first known murder linked to scopolamine was reported in 2019, when Irish dancer Adrian Murphy was poisoned by a couple attempting to steal from him. And just last month, Deborah Oscar, 30, claimed she was spiked with the terrifying drug on a London tube. She was on the Elizabeth Line leaving from Abbey Wood when a woman wafted a newspaper in her face - leaving her feeling "high" and "sleepy - before sitting next to her in an empty carriage. Remembering a TikTok she'd seen about devil's breath, Deborah was able to stumble off the tube to safety. Zaheen Ahmed, Director of Addiction Therapy at The UKAT Group, told The Sun at the time: "It wouldn't be a stretch to suggest that devil's breath could have made its way into the UK. "Unfortunately, when there's high demand for drugs, especially 'new' drugs, supply will find a way. "Although primarily found in Colombia, we know that it's already made its way into Europe, and so unfortunately, there is every chance that it is already here." Drug 'weaponised' As a drug, scopolamine blocks the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, which plays a vital role in memory, learning, and coordination, according to Dipa Kamdar, a senior lecturer in pharmacy practice at Kingston University. She wrote in The Conversation: "Blocking [the neurotransmitter] helps reduce nausea by interrupting signals from the balance system to the brain. "But it also comes with side effects, especially when used in high doses or outside a clinical setting. "Scopolamine disrupts the cholinergic system, which is central to memory formation and retrieval. "As a result, it can cause temporary but severe memory loss: a key reason it's been weaponised in crimes. Once ingested, the drug works quickly and exits the body within about 12 hours, making it hard to detect in routine drug screenings. For some people, even a dose under 10mg can be fatal Dipa Kamdarpharmacist " Some studies also suggest it increases oxidative stress in the brain, compounding its effects on cognition." Outside of legitimate medical uses - to prevent motion sickness, nausea, vomiting and muscle spasms, as well as off-label prescriptions for depression or smoking cessation - scopolamine is "increasingly associated with danger", Dipa warned. In Colombia and other parts of South America, the substance has been used robberies and sexual assaults. "Victims describe feeling dreamlike, compliant, and unable to resist or recall events," according to Dipa. 3 "That's what makes it so sinister – it robs people of both agency and memory. "The drug is often administered surreptitiously. In its powdered form, it's odourless and tasteless, making it easy to slip into drinks or blow into someone's face, as some victims have reported. "Once ingested, the drug works quickly and exits the body within about 12 hours, making it hard to detect in routine drug screenings. "For some people, even a dose under 10mg can be fatal." Devil's breath: Explained Scopolamine is derived from the seeds of the Borrachero tree, primarily found in South America. In small doses, it has some legitimate medical applications, such as treating nausea and motion sickness. It is thought that the indigenous peoples of South America once took it for its hallucinogenic properties, and it was wielded by shamans for various rites and ceremonies. In modern times, however, it has gained notoriety for far more sinister reasons. While the powdered form is tasteless and odourless, scopolamine is a potent drug that can disorient and incapacitate users and lead to frightening hallucinations. This can make it a discreet tool for malevolent purposes, particularly as it can erase memory, make users highly impressionable and even paralyse them physically. Some people may also take the drug on purpose for a "dream-like state" it can induce, mistakenly thinking it will be like mainstream hallucinogens like LSD. But devil's breath hallucinations tend to be far more disturbing and disjointed, often manifesting as nightmarish visions or confusing scenarios that blur the lines of reality. It may also be taken by mistake due to its close resemblance to cocaine. The correct dosage of the drug is notoriously hard to pin down, and even a slight miscalculation can lead to an overdose. This can lead to respiratory failure, acute psychosis and even death. Symptoms may include dry mouth, difficulty speaking, lethargy, hallucinations, rapid heartbeat and disorientation. Source: The UKAT Group A 2017 report details the case of a 47-year-old Canadian man holidaying in Bogota, Colombia, who claimed to have been robbed at a bus terminal. He experienced memory loss for approximately 12 hours and emerged from his stupor to realise he was missing $250 in cash and his mobile phone. "He had no signs of physical or sexual assault; however, he felt disoriented and confused, was unable to concentrate, and suffered from marked xerostomia [dry mouth]," the report authors noted. Believing he may have been exposed to scopolamine, he visited a doctor when he was back in Canada. Toxicology and drug screenings came back negative. "We recognised that our patient described the anticholinergic toxidrome [blockage of acetylcholine receptors] expected in scopolamine intoxication," medics said. Dipa described the symptoms of scopolamine poisoning as rapid heartbeat and palpitations, dry mouth and flushed skin, blurred vision, confusion and disorientation, hallucinations and drowsiness. "If you experience any of these, especially after an unexpected drink or interaction, seek medical attention immediately," she warned.
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Motion sickness drug linked to cases of robbery and assault – here's what you need to know about ‘devil's breath'
Scopolamine, more chillingly known as 'devil's breath,' is a drug with a dual identity. In medicine, it's used to prevent motion sickness and nausea. But in the criminal underworld, particularly in parts of South America, it has gained a dark reputation as a substance that can erase memory, strip away free will and facilitate serious crimes. Now, its presence may be sparking fresh concerns in the UK. While most reports of devil's breath come from countries like Colombia, concerns about its use in Europe are not new. In 2015, three people were arrested in Paris for allegedly using the drug to rob victims, turning them into compliant 'zombies'. The UK's first known murder linked to scopolamine was reported in 2019 when the Irish dancer Adrian Murphy was poisoned by thieves attempting to sell items stolen from him. In a more recent case in London, a woman reported symptoms consistent with scopolamine exposure after being targeted on public transport. Get your news from actual experts, straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily newsletter to receive all The Conversation UK's latest coverage of news and research, from politics and business to the arts and sciences. Scopolamine, also known as hycosine, is a tropane alkaloid, a type of plant-derived compound found in the nightshade family (Solanaceae). It has a long history: indigenous communities in South America traditionally used it for spiritual rituals due to its potent psychoactive effects. In modern medicine, scopolamine (marketed in the UK as hyoscine hydrobromide) is prescribed to prevent motion sickness, nausea, vomiting and muscle spasms. It also reduces saliva production before surgery. Brand names include Kwells (tablets) and Scopoderm (patches). As an anticholinergic drug, scopolamine blocks the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, which plays a vital role in memory, learning, and coordination. Blocking it helps reduce nausea by interrupting signals from the balance (vestibular) system to the brain. But it also comes with side effects, especially when used in high doses or outside a clinical setting. Scopolamine disrupts the cholinergic system, which is central to memory formation and retrieval. As a result, it can cause temporary but severe memory loss: a key reason it's been weaponised in crimes. Some studies also suggest it increases oxidative stress in the brain, compounding its effects on cognition. The drug's power to erase memory, sometimes described as 'zombifying', has made it a focus of forensic and criminal interest. Victims often describe confusion, hallucinations and a complete loss of control. In clinical settings, scopolamine is sometimes used off-label for depression, excessive sweating, or even to help quit smoking. But outside these uses, it's increasingly associated with danger. Recreational users are drawn to its hallucinogenic effects – but the line between tripping and toxic is razor thin. In Colombia and other parts of South America, scopolamine, also known as burundanga, has been implicated in countless robberies and sexual assaults. Victims describe feeling dreamlike, compliant, and unable to resist or recall events. That's what makes it so sinister – it robs people of both agency and memory. The drug is often administered surreptitiously. In its powdered form, it's odourless and tasteless, making it easy to slip into drinks or blow into someone's face, as some victims have reported. Online forums detail how to make teas or infusions from plant parts, seeds, roots, flowers – heightening the risk of DIY misuse. Once ingested, the drug works quickly and exits the body within about 12 hours, making it hard to detect in routine drug screenings. For some people, even a dose under 10mg can be fatal. Signs of scopolamine poisoning include rapid heartbeat and palpitations, dry mouth and flushed skin, blurred vision, confusion and disorientation, hallucinations and drowsiness. If you experience any of these, especially after an unexpected drink or interaction, seek medical attention immediately. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Dipa Kamdar does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
