Entwicklung des Missbrauchs psychotroper Pflanzen und Pilze in Deutschland – Interpretation der Zahlen aus 3 Giftinformationszentren für die Jahre 2007–2013
Das Gesundheitswesen June 14, 2016 Jörg Pietsch, K. Scheffel, Daniela Acquarone et al. 2 citations
Tropane alkaloid-containing plants, especially Angel's trumpet, are the most commonly abused biogenic drugs reported to German Poison Information Centres, followed by psilocybin-containing mushrooms and nutmeg. Among 602 reported exposures from 2007-2013, 52% involved tropane alkaloid plants, 25% psilocybin mushrooms, and 10% nutmeg. Adolescents predominantly abused tropane alkaloid plants, while young adults used psilocybin mushrooms and school children used nutmeg. Over half of tropane alkaloid exposures caused moderate to severe effects, and more than 90% of cases involving tropane alkaloid or psilocybin plants required hospital surveillance. Common symptoms included dilated pupils, hallucinations, rapid heart rate, and agitation. Nutmeg abuse cases unexpectedly increased over the study period, while overall abuse of biogenic drugs declined, possibly due to competition from synthetic designer drugs.