We talked a bit about some of the nasty tricks that Mother Nature sometimes pulls on us, but one of the most deadly is in plants like this one.
Sometimes Jimson Weed is used to get high, but that is almost guaranteed to cause the person trying it some serious health problems.
Jimson Weed
Jimson weed (Datura stramonium) is known by the common name devil’s snare. Many may remember this name as Harry, Hermione, and Ron came face to face with it when searching for the sorcerer’s stone. However, the real devil’s snare is more diabolical than that found at Hogwarts. True devil’s snare is a tall, flowering plant that produces funnel-shaped flowers and prickly seed pods. Native to Asia, the toxic plant has made its way to the West Indies, Canada, and the United States.
Although the devil’s snare seems plain and unassuming, this plant is packed with a powerful punch. The devil’s snare contains a mixture of tropane alkaloids which can affect nearly every aspect of the human body but are particularly debilitating to the brain. Commonly used as a psychedelic drug, devil’s snare can cause dilated pupils, blurred vision, frightening hallucinations, confusion, euphoria, delirium, combative behaviors, as well as tachycardia, and dry mouth.
Devil’s snare typically enters the body directly; a person will suck the juices from the plant stem or flowers, or simply ingest one of the seeds from the prickly pod. And while death is not always certain, devil’s snare will take you on a trip that is not going to be pleasurable.
I often wonder why it is that people continue to try and get high on plants that might get them high, and kill them in the process. Stupid is as stupid does, I reckon!
Coffee again is out on the patio. The temps will be in the mid 70s, so it should be pleasant!
