Entwicklung des Missbrauchs psychotroper Pflanzen und Pilze in Deutschland – Interpretation der Zahlen aus 3 Giftinformationszentren für die Jahre 2007–2013

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.

Study at a glance

Abstract

AIM OF THE STUDY: Based on an abundance of information on the internet, psychotropic plants and mushrooms are of increasing relevance as legal and cheap alternatives to other illicit drugs. Due to the lack of a German database, the abuse of selected biogenic drugs using reported exposures to 3 German Poison Information Centres (PICs) was examined. METHODS: Information on abuse of biogenic drugs was collected from the German PICs in Berlin, Erfurt and Fribourg (2007-2013). RESULTS: 602 drug abuses were reported to the selected PICs. 52% reported consumption of tropane alkaloid-containing plants (Angel's trumpet, Thorn apple, Belladonna), 25% of psilocybin-containing mushrooms and 10% of nutmeg. Angel's trumpet was identified as the most abused plant. Consumers of tropane alkaloid-containing plants were mainly adolescents, whereas the majority of the abusers of psilocybin-containing mushrooms and nutmeg were rather young grown-ups and school children, respectively. A preponderance of moderate and severe effects (55%) could be noticed for exposures to tropane alkaloid-containing plants. More than 90% of suspected cases of tropane alkaloid-containing as well as psilocybin-containing plants abuse resulted in the treatment recommendation 'surveillance in hospital'. Mydriasis, hallucinations, tachycardia and agitation were the main symptoms after the abuse of biogenic drugs. CONCLUSIONS: The data from the PICs suggest abuse of biogenic drugs in parts of Germany. A decreasing trend is observed, probably caused by the competition with new synthetic designer drugs. The results underline the dominance of Angel's trumpet in the abuse of biogenic drugs and emphasize the importance of easy accessibility for the abuse of biogenic drugs. Unexpectedly, the number of nutmeg abuse cases increased during the investigated period.