The latest craze in getting high involves a garden weed that has the potential to cause hallucinations or, for the unfortunate, death.
Jimson Weed (Datura stramonium) otherwise known as Gypsum Weed, Stink Weed, Loco Weed, Jamestown Weed, Thorn Apple, Angel's Trumpet, and Devil's Trumpet among others, is a common weed that grows though out the US and Canada as well as the rest of the world.
It's a pretty plant that some gardeners choose to grow as an ornamental plant with its showy trumpet shaped purple or white flowers and prickly seed cases. The problem is that some people know just enough to get themselves into trouble.
If you eat any part of the plant you can experience true hallucinations, the problem is the amount needed to produce the effect and the amount that will kill may not be very far apart. So it's just a good rule to leave this plant alone since it kills a few people every year. The Navajo had a saying about Datura, 'Eat a little, and go to sleep. Eat some more, and have a dream. Eat some more, and don't wake up.'
Why This Trend Is Growing
- Toxic Plant Use
- The trend of using toxic plants for recreational purposes creates opportunities for the development of innovative detoxicants and antidotes to counteract the potential dangers.
- Alternative Intoxicants
- As people seek alternative ways of getting high, opportunities exist for the development of new legal intoxicants that mimic the effects of dangerous plants without the health risks.
- Risk-taking Youth Culture
- The adoption of dangerous plants as a way to get high is part of a larger trend of risk-taking behavior among some youth cultures, presenting opportunities for alternative wellness and mental health programs that offer positive experiences without the risks.
Industries Being Reshaped
- Pharmaceuticals
- The pharmaceutical industry can develop innovative detoxicants and antidotes to prevent the harmful effects of toxic plants.
- Consumer Goods
- The consumer goods industry can develop new legal intoxicants using safer and natural ingredients as an alternative to toxic plants.
- Wellness and Mental Health
- The wellness and mental health industry can provide alternative programs that offer positive experiences and reduce the risks of dangerous recreational practices.
