Hazardous Substances
Scopolamine (Devil's Breath / Burundanga)
Street names: Devil's breath, Burundanga, Hyoscine, The world's scariest drug
Overdose? Act now. Call emergency services — say "unresponsive, not breathing". Give naloxone for opioid-like signs. Hotlines
⚡What it does
- Anticholinergic deliriant: amnesia, suggestibility, loss of free will at high doses
- Medical doses: motion sickness prevention
⚠Key risks
- CRIMINAL DRUG — used in robberies and sexual assault in Latin America and increasingly Europe: victims dosed lose memory and become suggestible
- At criminal doses: complete amnesia, zombie-like compliance
- Overdose: hyperthermia, seizures, coma, death
- The 'myth vs reality' is debated, but verified criminal cases exist
✚Overdose signs
- Dilated pupils, flushed dry skin
- Severe confusion, hallucinations
- Hyperthermia
- Seizures, coma
📋Quick facts
Also known asDevil's breath, Burundanga, Hyoscine, The world's scariest drug
CategoryHazardous Substances
Schedule / classRx-only (motion sickness, patch form); criminal use prosecuted
AppearanceTransdermal patches (legit) or white powder blown/blown onto victims (criminal); from borrachero tree (Colombia)
Street priceN/A — criminal use; patches diverted
Legal statusRx-only; criminal administration prosecuted as assault/robbery
Last updated2026-09-17
Sources: EMCDDA, NIDA, Interpol
Category comparison — Hazardous Substances
| Substance | Class | Top risks | Street price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scopolamine (Devil's Breath / Burundanga) | Rx-only | CRIMINAL DRUG — used in robberies and sexual assault in Latin America and increasingly Europe: victims dosed lose memory and become suggestible; At criminal doses: complete amnesia, zombie-like compliance | N/A — criminal use |
| Benadryl (Diphenhydramine) Abuse | OTC — unrestricted purchase | DELIRIANT — not a fun hallucinogen: users can't distinguish hallucination from reality; Heart arrhythmia — anticholinergic load strains the heart; deaths documented | $3–$8 per box |
| Flunitrazepam (Rohypnol) | Not approved in US; Schedule IV-III equivalent elsewhere; 'date-rape drug' class | Anterograde amnesia — linked to drug-facilitated assault; 10× stronger hangover sedation than diazepam | ~$2–$10 per 2 mg tablet where diverted |
Street prices are regional estimates. Potency and cuts vary constantly.
?Frequently asked questions
What does Scopolamine (Devil's Breath / Burundanga) look like?
Transdermal patches (legit) or white powder blown/blown onto victims (criminal); from borrachero tree (Colombia)
What are the signs of a Scopolamine (Devil's Breath / Burundanga) overdose?
Dilated pupils, flushed dry skin; Severe confusion, hallucinations; Hyperthermia Call emergency services immediately.
How addictive is it?
CRIMINAL DRUG — used in robberies and sexual assault in Latin America and increasingly Europe: victims dosed lose memory and become suggestible Dependence can develop with regular use.
🔗Sources & further reading
Facts on this page are compiled from these primary sources. External links open in a new tab.