VICE is back! World’s Scaries Drug finds Ryan Duffy taking us to Colombia and to see a mighty drug called Scopalamine, also known as “The Devil’s Breath.” See why!The drug seems like something out of a James Bond movie – or something that Joker would unleash on the citizens of Gotham City. The drug is so potent that it can render a person completely incapable of free will.
The documentary starts with the quest for Scopalamine. The first few days are spent driving around the country and speaking to a myriad of drug dealers and clients who have gone off the deep end of the drug. The story then takes a dark turn – a VERY dark turn.
Learn about this powerful and mysterious drug first hand through this documentary – without suffering any of the horrible side-effects.
It is unclear if the claims of use of scopolamine in crime is true or not. The drug is known to produce loss of memory of events recently before exposure and sleepiness, similar to the effect of benzodiazepines or alcohol poisoning, but claims of the drug “removing free will” are dubious.
Scopolamine has been used under the name “burundanga” in Venezuelan and Thailand resorts in order to drug and then rob tourists. In 2008, Vice News aired an episode called Colombian Devil’s Breath recounting the use of scopolamine by Colombian criminals as a suggestion drug. The two-part investigation contains multiple first-hand accounts of its use, including claims that small amounts blown into people’s faces turn them into “mindless zombies”. While there are rumors that delivery mechanisms include using pamphlets and flyers laced with the drug, not enough is readily absorbed through the skin to have an effect. However, spiked alcoholic drinks are occasionally used.
Per the United States State Department (March 4, 2012):
One common and particularly dangerous method that criminals use in order to rob a victim is through the use of drugs. The most common has been scopolamine. Unofficial estimates put the number of annual scopolamine incidents in Colombia at approximately 50,000. Scopolamine can render a victim unconscious for 24 hours or more. In large doses, it can cause respiratory failure and death. It is most often administered in liquid or powder form in foods and beverages. The majority of these incidents occur in night clubs and bars, and usually men, perceived to be wealthy, are targeted by young, attractive women. To avoid becoming a victim of scopolamine, one should never accept food or beverages offered by strangers or new acquaintances or leave food or beverages unattended. Victims of scopolamine or other drugs should seek immediate medical attention.
Actually, this is not available OTC as some have said, but it’s a commonly prescribed medication to control motion sickness. I take it every time I go scuba diving. It is definitely strong, but it’s just sort of bizarre to make a documentary about it and not mention its actual use.
Actually, this is not available OTC as some have said, but it’s a commonly prescribed medication to control motion sickness. I take it every time I go scuba diving. It is definitely strong, but it’s just sort of bizarre to make a documentary about it and not mention its actual use.
So a whole crew go’s to Columbia for some interviews whit questionable caracters and the chance to see a misterios white powder 🙂 …Fucking waste of time and money … I really hoped they will try it out on themself’s to see the efects .
that columbian dude who scores the scopalamine for them seems like a common nutcase. and the “expert” doctor they spoke to didnt seem too interested in speaking to them… maybe these kids should have done a bit more research or spoke to a few peeps before they jetted down there and started mixing with nutters
Scopolamine is also known as hyoscine which, as others have mentioned in the comments, you can buy over the counter in travel sickness and IBS medication. They didn’t even need to go to Colombia, they could have gone to their nearest pharmacy…
ive done this stuff, it gave me supernatural powers for real. but can make you skitzo
“Colombia is Fucked?” How does this guy dare to say something like that? What a wrong perception. This stupid guy who knows nothing about the country and its history just misleads everyone with those absolutely unaccurate and not very well intentioned comments. Colombia has its problems, like all countries do, but its not what it used to be in the 80’s and 90’s with the drug traffic and guerrilla. No doubt Colombia is a beautiful place, with a rich and interesting culture, delicious food, a growing economy, gorgeous women and in general some of the friendliest people. Today one of the top tourist destinations within the region, despite what the ignorants in the video say…
Who are these assholes? Both the hosts and the producers are quite ignorant as they have a wrong perception of Colombia…. apart from being stupid enough to make it evident. How can the host dare to say that “Colombia is fucked….” ??!??!? They did not even get the map of country right… they forgot to do their homework….. a total lack of respect with Colombians…
you are an oversensitive person. relax.
The passion of the South Americans is legendary.
When I saw the title, I thought this was gonna be about krokodil.
…datura…hierba del diablo…
don’t use it, don’t advocate it, it is pure evil.
yes doctors use a synthesized type sometimes, in oporations. but this product has been produced in a lab, under very controled circumstances, and by professional people. so they can controll the dose down to micrograms…
i am serius…DO NOT FUCK WITH THIS SHIT…
Scopolamine was used for childbirth as a sedative/amnesiac and was known as “twilight sleep” (ask your grandma) and is still used as a sedative (especially as a dental sedative). The patient is aware and awake, but the drug acts as an amnesiac. Therefore, many will not remember the procedure.
Datura is used recreationally to hallucinate. I’ve seen the plant many times growing in NZ. I have known of people to have use it and have had a nasty trip.
That drug dealer is all coked out lol
The alkaloid scopolamine is produced by Datura stramonium plant and has been used in Mexico for centuries. A psychologist friend told me that there are countless patients in psychiatric hospitals due to the effects of this compound. Women have administered the drug secretly to their husbands to control their womanizing and have ended up creating virtual zombies of them. This drug is real.
I’m not quite sure about the nature of this documentary. Is it really a scientific research about the components and biological effects of the substance or just a lame collection of ‘crazy’ tales about people experiencing it?
Who are this people making this documentary? What makes them think they can travel anywhere and film and interview the dumbest citizens and then drop poor conclusions with such a flagrant vulgarity?
You know what’s up?
I strongly believe those two guys deserve a close encounter with scopolamine so they can wake up again in the US and do not remember anything of Colombia; maybe thinking about making better journalism.
Greetins from the dull and ‘scopolamaniac’ Bogotá.
There are trees like that on a beach where I live in New Zealand. Over the years people have died there taking it, falling off cliffs in the forest or drowning in the ocean.
Scopolomine has been used for years to treat motion sickness without any of these occurences. In fact the same class of drug (anticholinergics) is probably something everyone has experienced when you go to an optometrist and have your eyes dilated. This is just a couple of silly journalists who didn’t actually report anything but unsubstantiated stories
Yeah, i’m fine. That bit of the story wasnt true. The part i got high, yeah, thats true, but its also false that i climbed up the true………….I’m not lying man, i actually flew through thin air to get to the top of tree. Hehe.
Anyway, gtg, time for my breast feeding…..Yippeeee
umm.. those were just burnt spare ribs.. we found our baby, he had got high from the fumes and climbed a tree. but it was fine.
Heard about two young parents who put their baby to bed then took datura. They both woke up with no memory of the night before the next morning. Couldnt find their baby, wasn’t in crib. The oven baking tray was on the kitchen table and it had baby sized bones, all burnt and chewed clean though. Moral of yhe story? Stay the fuck away from this evil shit!
omg!! wow fucking scary that white flower is pretty, but woudnt want it near me at all…
If this what at all true, there would be no reason for waterboarding, or a buncha other junk the military does. Of course this is garrrrrrrbage.
Over-hyped nonsense.
lame lame lame and painfully redundant
Another awsome adventure had by Vice. I think they made the right choice to flush it. Its use is sinister.
I tried it once back in the seventies, friend of mine from Czechoslovakia gave it to me, it was very popular there. It was kinda like getting high on mescaline, more of a body stone than a head stone. If somebody had tried to burn me, I would have thumped em a good one, I was fully aware of what was going all the time. I think a lot of the documentary is based on hype.
Lame-ass bullshit. If you’ve had surgery in the past ten years, you’ve probably been given a similar drug that makes you forget any horror or terrible pain you may have experienced. Doctors love the shit. The name escapes me, so this comment is about as helpful as that documentary.
very interesting
why start a project if your not going to finish it. Liked to have seen someone under the influence of the drug. good try guys. better luck on your nexy documentary.