Am J Psychiatry 1977; 134:312-314
Copyright © 1977 by American Psychiatric Association
Angel's Trumpet psychosis: a central nervous system anticholinergic syndrome
RC Hall, MK Popkin and LE Mchenry
The authors warn physicians that intoxication by Angel's Trumpet (Datura
sauveolens) is becoming more frequent due to its use by adolescents and
young adults as a legal, readily available hallucinogen. Ingestion of
Angel's Trumpet flowers or a tea brewed from them results in an
alkaloid-induced central nervous system anticholinergic syndrome
characterized by symptoms such as fever, delirium, hallucinations,
agitation, and persistent memory disturbances. Severe intoxication may
cause flaccid paralysis, convulsions, and death. Treatment with intravenous
physostigmine reverses the toxic effects of Angel's Trumpet.
