Myth vs. Reality: Colombia’s Scopolamine Drug

Scopolamine, also known as Devil’s Breath, is a drug used in Colombia to commit a vast array of crimes, particularly robbery. Little is known about what this drug does. People who are not locals to Colombia do not understand how this drug operates. 

According to reports by the Valle de Aburrá Police 373 cases of theft with Devil’s Breath were reported by May 2023. How robbers operate is quite widely known. These criminals go to bars and spike individuals’ drinks, then go home with them and rob their belongings. The victim wakes up later with a severe hangover-like feeling. Dehydration, dizziness, nausea, and body-wide aches are common symptoms in victims of this drug. 

So what exactly is Scopolamine and why is it Colombia’s most feared drug?

Scopolamine, like any other drug, is first and foremost a chemical substance made from the scopolia plant. The plant can be found countrywide, and it is abundant near Bogota and regions such as the Atlantic Region and Magdalena. This drug has precedents in the 1800s when it was used for the medical purpose of anesthesia. 

Scopolamine, or as it is known by its chemical name, hyoscine, has many medical uses.  These include treating seasickness, motion sickness, gastrointestinal spasm, and other symptoms such as eye inflammation. In medical terms, hyoscine is considered as an anti-spasmodic in low doses and can be used to relax muscles. It is sometimes used as a premedication before surgery. 

One of the reasons why Scopolamine is still considered Colombia’s most feared drug is because it produces severe memory loss and hallucinations. Larger doses tend to have severe consequences on an individual’s psyche which can make them easier to target for criminals. 

In higher doses, scopolamine produces hallucinogenic effects and inhibits memory. It can render a victim unconscious for 24 hours or even more. In extremely high doses it can cause respiratory failure and even death. In addition to this, the drug is completely tasteless and odorless, making it very easy to slip into drinks and food. 

Some myths that surround scopolamine include being drugged with a business card. This of course is not possible given that the dose that fits on a business card is too small and skin exposure is unlikely to cause any effects. Nor can you be turned into a zombie, as there is no proof that scopolamine is an actual zombifying drug. Nevertheless, this drug remains a very dangerous aspect of Colombia’s nightlife culture.