Scopolamine is a naturally occurring alkaloid, a member of a large class of chemical compounds, that was first introduced into medical practice in 1902. Its name is derived from Giovanni Scopoli, an 18th-century Italian naturalist. Scopolamine is extracted from the plant Atropa, also known as "deadly nightshade." Historically, Spanish women used it to dilate their pupils and give their cheeks a rosy appearance. It has also been employed as a poison. In lower, non-lethal doses, scopolamine can induce symptoms such as hallucinations described as "mad as a hatter, dry as a bone, hot as a hen," along with fever, flushed skin, and irregular heartbeats. The seeds of the plant are sometimes used recreationally for a hallucinogenic "high."In combination with other substances, scopolamine was once used to provide pain-free childbirth, or at least to eliminate the memory of pain. This method, known as "twilight sleep," was highly sought after but could cause significant complications. It completely detached the mother from the birthing experience and severely affected the newborn, often leading to drowsiness and impaired breathing. As a result, twilight sleep has fallen out of favor and is now merely a historical chapter in the field of obstetrics.
