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Scopolamine is an interesting substance. Apart from its various effects – mainly derived from its CNS depressing ability, it is used as an interrogation aid in criminology. CIA is among the agencies which have experimented with the drug on criminals to get the truth out of them. For this purpose, Scopolamine in injectable form is used. As the substance enters the nervous system through the spinal column, it induces unbearable pain and the subject starts violently shaking and convulsing.
The plants from Solnacea family are extensively used in homaeopathy. The family contains the alkaloid Scopolamine. The substance blocks cholinergic channels and thus the depression produced is useful to stop motion sickness and sea sickness. While treating with scopolamine, its reaction profile should always be considered as it can produce adverse reactions in very small doses. Thinking that the reactions might be due to first pass of the drug in the digestive tract, its transdermal application has been prepared.
Drug abuse is uncommon but it can be used with other CNS depressants like Benzodiazepines by the drug addicts. Scopolamine has also been used to get the Heroine addicts out of the addiction. Its use in quitting the smoking is being researched.
One of its major usages is in ophthalmology. Scopolamine eye drops are used to produce dilation.
The substance also potentiates the effects of other depressants and hence is used with other opioid preparations to reduce pain.
The drug has major application in memory research as it blocks cholinergic channels.
Scopolamine
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