Background

Jimson weed (Datura stramonium) is a plant. Despite serious safety concerns, the leaves and seeds are sometimes used to make medicine and to cause hallucinations.

Jimson weed contains dangerous chemicals such as atropine, hyoscyamine, and scopolamine. These chemicals can cause serious adverse effects, including death.

Despite serious safety concerns, people sometimes use jimson weed for asthma, cough, flu (influenza), and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Some people also use it as a recreational drug to cause hallucinations and a heightened sense of well-being (euphoria).

Safety Safety definitions

When taken by mouth: Jimson weed is unsafe. It is poisonous and can cause many toxic effects including dry mouth and extreme thirst, vision problems, nausea and vomiting, fast heart rate, hallucinations, seizures, confusion, loss of consciousness, breathing problems, and death.

Special Precautions & Warnings:

No one should take jimson weed, but certain people are especially at risk for toxic side effects:

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Jimson weed is unsafe to take when pregnant or breast-feeding. It can cause serious adverse effects, including death.

Children: Jimson weed is unsafe when taken by mouth by children. Children are more sensitive than adults to the toxic effects of jimson weed. Even a small amount can kill them..

Congestive heart failure (CHF): Jimson weed might cause rapid heartbeat and make CHF worse.

Constipation: Jimson weed might cause constipation.

Down syndrome: People with Down syndrome might be especially sensitive to the dangerous side effects of jimson weed.

Gastrointestinal (GI) conditions: Jimson weed can slow down the GI tract and change the way that it functions. People with GI conditions, such as infections, blockages, IBD, reflux, and others, should avoid jimson weed. Jimson weed can make these conditions worse.

Seizures: Jimson weed can cause seizures. Do not use jimson weed if you have a history of seizures.

Glaucoma: Glaucoma raises the pressure inside the eye. Jimson weed might raise the pressure inside the eye even more.

Rapid heartbeat: Jimson weed might make this condition worse.

Difficulty passing urine (urinary retention): Taking jimson weed might make this condition worse.

Effectiveness

Dosing & administration

There isn't enough reliable information to know what an appropriate dose of jimson weed might be. Jimson weed can be unsafe. Speak with a healthcare provider before using.

Interactions with pharmaceuticals

Drying medications (Anticholinergic drugs)

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

Jimson weed can block a chemical in the body called acetylcholine, which has many important functions. Some medications, called anticholinergic drugs, also block acetylcholine. There is some concern that taking them together might increase the risk for confusion, blurred vision, decreased sweating, and increased heart rate.

Interactions with herbs & supplements

Herbs that affect the brain and heart (anticholinergic herbs): Jimson weed contains chemicals that affects the brain and heart. Herbs that affect the brain and heart, called anticholinergic herbs, also cause these effects. Taking jimson weed and anticholinergic herbs together might cause side effects including dry skin, dizziness, low blood pressure, fast heartbeat, and other serious side effects.

There are no known interactions with herbs and supplements.

Interactions with foods

There are no known interactions with foods.