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Daily Mail
18-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Dirty habit of 18 million Americans linked to 'significant' surge in psychotic episodes
Doctors nationwide are warning of a sharp rise in psychotic episodes tied to high-potency marijuana products, which are now far stronger than in decades past. Some marijuana vapes contain up to 98 percent THC, the chemical responsible for the drug's psychoactive effects, levels that experts say are driving a surge in mental health crises. Dr Drew Pinsky, an addiction specialist and TV personality, said Friday: 'The concentration of cannabis is so high… we are seeing a significant uptick in psychotic illness,' adding that cannabis 'makes people with psychotic illness much worse.' The warnings come as marijuana legalization continues to expand. Recreational use is now legal in 24 states and Washington, DC, creating a $20 billion industry, and a black market, flooded with ultra-potent products in the form of edibles, dabs, oils, and vapes. Doctors and researchers have said that these products are fueling a public health crisis that is still unfolding. 'We've seen the marked incidence of trouble, mostly caused by the high potency of cannabis,' Dr Drew said. 'So now we are seeing people who are unable to function, they have difficulty at work, psychotic episodes, mood disturbances, and severe addiction.' Polling from 2023 suggests nearly 44 million Americans use marijuana, with 18 million consuming it daily or near daily. Many seek it out to ease anxiety or depression. But growing research shows high doses of THC may do just the opposite, disrupting mood, distorting reality, and triggering temporary or even prolonged psychosis. The issue is especially concerning in young adults, whose brains are still developing. Regular use of potent cannabis in adolescence has been linked to long-term changes in brain structure, particularly in the prefrontal cortex, the region responsible for decision-making, emotional regulation, and impulse control. This is also the age when many psychotic disorders first appear. Emerging data suggest the link is more than just a coincidence. THC may trigger schizophrenia or psychotic episodes in individuals with genetic predispositions. A 2022 review by University of Bath researchers, which analyzed 20 studies involving 120,000 people, found users of high-potency cannabis were four times more likely to develop addiction and three to five times more likely to suffer a psychotic break compared to those using lower-potency strains. Earlier this year, a report in JAMA Network Open found that, emergency room visits in Ontario, Canada, linked to schizophrenia in marijuana users tripled after legalization. Between 2006 and 2022, the rate of schizophrenia among those with cannabis use disorder climbed from four percent to over 10 percent. In contrast, just 0.6 percent of non-users developed the condition. Doctors across the US have echoed the concerns raised by Dr Drew since the wave of state-level legalization began about 15 years ago. What was once considered a mellow, low-risk drug is now being reexamined in light of products that bear little resemblance to the marijuana of past generations. Between 1995 and 2022, THC levels in cannabis seized by law enforcement quadrupled, from 3.96 percent to 16.14 percent, while modern concentrates can exceed 90 percent. Despite the public perception of marijuana as a natural remedy for anxiety or depression, the evidence is mounting that today's potent products come with serious psychological risks. Millions who turn to marijuana for relief may be unaware of its potential to cause temporary psychosis lasting hours, days, or even months. And while marijuana may not lead to physical dependence like opioids or alcohol, experts say the psychological grip can be just as damaging. As legalization spreads and access grows, the consequences are becoming harder to ignore. With each new study, the case against high-potency marijuana, and its role in rising mental health issues, continues to build. In 2023, the journal Psychological Medicine published the largest epidemiological investigation to date that focused exclusively on the link between cannabis use and schizophrenia. Researchers analyzed Danish health records from 1972 to 2021, spanning 6.9 million individuals, which revealed that 30 percent of schizophrenia cases in men aged 21 to 30 (roughly 3,000 diagnoses) could have been avoided if they had not developed cannabis use disorder. When researchers broadened their analysis to include a wider age group (ages 16 to 49, instead of just 21 to 30), the estimated impact of cannabis use disorder on schizophrenia risk decreased to 15 percent. Carsten Hjorthøj, the study's lead author and an associate professor at the University of Copenhagen, told Scientific American: 'We found that the proportion of cases of schizophrenia that were attributable to cannabis use disorder, and those that might have been prevented, was much higher in males than females and, in particular, younger males in whom the brain is still maturing. 'And we saw that this increase was taking place over time, completely in parallel with the increasing potency of cannabis.' The brain adapts to frequent THC exposure by dialing down its natural cannabinoid production, which helps regulate both mood and appetite. Chronic use teaches the brain to rely on external THC instead of making its own neurotransmitters, a process called neuroadaptation. It can take weeks or months for this balance to reset, which can trigger irritability, insomnia, or cravings. For heavy users, these withdrawal symptoms are distressing enough that some clinics prescribe medications like gabapentin to ease the transition.
The Sun
13-07-2025
- Health
- The Sun
How ‘Devil's Breath' zombie drug used to spike victims is flooding hols hotspots – as Brit target gives chilling warning
YOU'RE enjoying a night out - partying with friends - when suddenly you begin to feel woozy, you feel your heartbeat increase, you start to see hallucinations and you find you can't even speak. Then you black out, waking up hours or even days later with no memory of what has just happened - you may have been spiked with a terrifying drug known as the "Devil's Breath". 11 11 11 Tourists and revellers around the globe fear they are being targeted with the mysterious drug - which is said to turn people into "zombies". It has been linked to tens of thousands of crimes in South America - and is even behind several deaths. It's also been reported in European holiday hotspots, including in the UK. Officially called scopolamine, the "Devil's Breath" is derived from the toxic Borrachero tree from South America and it has become a weapon of choice for criminals. Once tested by the CIA as a truth serum, the drug renders its victims powerless, compliant, and blank — leaving them unable to resist, and often unable to recall anything afterwards. A leading UK addiction specialist told The Sun that the misuse of Devil's Breath could pose one of the most dangerous threats to the public - with it being used by criminals in robberies, assaults and sexual attacks. And a top Spanish anti-drug cop has issued a warning to tourists - telling them be on the lookout for Devil's Breath in party hotspots. Meanwhile, a British woman who claims to have been spiked with the mind-warping drug also issued a stark warning to both holidaymakers and people on nights out. Zaheen Ahmed, director at UK Addiction Treatment, told The Sun the drug can cause terrifying symptoms - with users becoming vulnerable almost instantly, with symptoms likened to sedation, confusion, and memory loss, he explained. 'It will create hallucinations," Mr Ahmed said. "A person will have difficulty around their thinking. That's why people use it in criminal activity... it can be a really dangerous weapon. 'It can be one of the world's most dangerous [drugs], given what it can do to people if it's used the wrong way.' Inside Europe's 'cocaine capital' where gangsters bomb cafes, gun down children & X in terrifying wave of drug violence And he described how the drug's method of administration makes it far more threatening than typical date-rape drugs. He explained: 'For example, with other drugs, they have to mix it and someone has to digest it. 'But with Devil's Breath, someone can hold it in their hand and just blow it on your face — so how are you going to protect yourself?' 'EERIE AND VERY ODD' The drug has already been implicated in several chilling deaths. In 2019, Irish dancer Adrian Murphy was murdered in London after being poisoned with scopolamine by a woman he met on Grindr. She and her boyfriend were convicted of his murder and the attempted murder of another man. More recently, Alessandro Coatti, a 42-year-old British-based scientist, was discovered dismembered in Santa Marta, Colombia. Lured via a dating app, investigators suspect he was drugged before being brutally murdered. His severed limbs were scattered across the city — a hotel wristband was all that remained to identify him. Devil's Breath is now feared to be making its way into UK cities - with one woman Deborah Oscar believing she narrowly escaped an attack while riding the Elizabeth Line. She told The Sun: 'I suddenly felt very peaceful. Like the first few seconds when you have anaesthesia before a surgery.' The 30-year-old content creator said she was riding a nearly empty train when a woman wafted a newspaper in her face, stared intently, and sat beside her. Moments later, Deborah said she felt lightheaded and unnaturally calm. "I assumed she was a confused tourist about to ask for directions," she recalled. "But she just maintained eye contact — it felt eerie and very odd." Deborah managed to escape by switching carriages and disembarking early — a decision she now believes may have saved her life. "If I hadn't seen those videos, I would probably have just sat there and I don't know what would have happened." Her TikTok story has since gone viral, with 20 people in the UK saying they had similar experiences, and hundreds more abroad sharing suspicions of being drugged with scopolamine. "The criminals know there are few repercussions," she said. "What can you do when you tell the police you gave someone your own phone or bag?" She added: "Nobody wants to be rude or appear paranoid. But it's better to recognise the situation and flee and be safe than to take a risk." British Transport Police confirmed they are aware of the video - but no formal report has been filed. And Transport for London also said they were investigating the incident - describing it as "extremely frightening". While Mr Ahmed stressed the need for toxicology information, he didn't rule out the possibility of Deborah being exposed to scopolamine in the reported attack. He said: 'It is a high chance this can happen easily… there are drugs available that can instantly affect a human being. 'If that's the case [the attack was made with scopolamine], it will completely change the whole game — how people are going to rob people, snatch things… the situation will become really dangerous.' 11 And Deborah is not the only person who claims to have been hit with the drug in the UK. American tourist and crypto investor Jacob Irwin-Cline, 30, claims to have been spiked and robbed while in a fake Uber in London. He claims he was robbed for around £100,000 after smoking a cigarette laced with what he believes was Devil's Breath. Irwin-Cline says he was offered the smoke by the driver - but then started to feel dazed, drowsy and passed out after a leaving a Soho nightclub. He claimed he was left "really docile" and has vague memories of the driver asking him for his passkeys on his crypto apps. He then passed out after around 30 minutes. The US tech whiz suspects he was hit with scopolamine, the Devil's Breath, during the suspected spiking on May 9. What is Devil's Breath? REPORTS of the Devil's Breath drug have been seen across South American, Europe and even in the UK. Some people may take the drug on purpose for a "dream-like state" it can induce, mistakenly thinking it will be like mainstream hallucinogens like LSD. But Devil's Breath hallucinations tend to be far more disturbing and disjointed, often manifesting as nightmarish visions or confusing scenarios that blur the lines of reality. It may also be taken by mistake due to its close resemblance to cocaine. The correct dosage of the drug is notoriously hard to pin down, and even a slight miscalculation can lead to an overdose. This can lead to respiratory failure, acute psychosis and even death. Symptoms may include dry mouth, difficulty speaking, lethargy, hallucinations, rapid heartbeat and disorientation. Source: The UKAT Group Hermelo Molero, a top Spanish anti-drug cop based in Bilbao, issued a chilling warning to tourists on how they can be targeted - especially in nightlife-heavy spots abroad. Spain recorded its first case of the zombie drug being used in 2016 - when a 36-year-old woman in Majorca tested positive for the substance. He told The Sun: "It is always related to nightlife, especially crowded nightclubs. "In summer, it is common to look for places full of tourists where the victim is even more defenceless." What's more chilling is that the substance isn't just used for theft - but more heinous crimes too. Mr Molero continued: "This type of substance is used for crimes against property [robbery] and sexual aggression, as these drugs are used to subdue the victims, who do not have the same defence options." Alongside being wafted in victim's faces, the drug is "easily dissolved in drinks" - with criminals using "the victim's carelessness with a drink that is being ingested," the drug chief explained. He added: "Generally, when it is to steal, the offenders are usually two or more people, especially if they have the intention of not only stealing your belongings but also want to steal from your home or hotel. "If the interest is sexual, it is usually a sexual predator who acts individually." Mr Molero warned holidaymakers to "always keep your drinks under control" and stressed the importance of maintaining "a high level of awareness" as "if we are very drunk we will hardly be able to control our drinks". He said: "If it is a bottle use the stopper to protect it and if it is a glass it is not a bad option to put a paper napkin over [it]." Mr Ahmed recommends the public stay cautious in crowded spaces and consider basic protective measures. 'If someone is blowing [powder], they might wear a mask or something that will protect them,' he said. Chemical hypnosis Just 10 milligrams of scopolamine can obliterate a person's free will. The drug disrupts memory formation and suppresses higher brain function, leaving the victim suggestible and eerily cooperative - handing over PINs, passwords, and valuables without hesitation. Criminal gangs in Colombia are dispersing the drug in drinks, gum, cigarettes — even business cards soaked in the substance — often after luring victims via dating apps like Tinder or Grindr. Grapefruit juice enhances the drug's potency, slowing its breakdown and increasing absorption in the gut. In Bogotá and Medellín, the tactics are disturbingly creative: sprinkled scopolamine on jackets, ATMs, even elevator buttons. Victims faint, blackout, or enter a dream-like obedience state — all before realising what's happened. 11 11 11 Tourist deaths in Colombia - many of them drug linked - surged by 29% last year, and Medellín saw a 200% spike in Devil's Breath robberies in the final quarter of 2023 alone. The US Embassy has since issued a high-alert advisory, warning: 'Use of dating apps can increase your risk.' One of the alleged masterminds is Carolina Mejía Montoya, 27, dubbed The Queen of Scopolamine. The 'Scopolamine Queen' She is believed to have led a multimillion-peso theft ring in Medellín, using her looks to charm foreign tourists before drugging and stripping them of cash, cards, and jewellery. CCTV shows her ushering victims into short-term rentals — where they were later found drugged and confused. On one night alone, she allegedly stole 120 million pesos from two men. Despite previously being placed under house arrest, she vanished and continued her spree — until police finally caught up with her. 'You do anything they say' The impact of Devil's Breath is described by victims as both hypnotic and terrifying. Fernando, a 64-year-old from the UK, believes he fell victim while on a business trip to Bogotá back in 2012. He told The Telegraph: 'It's very dangerous because you're totally hypnotised, you do anything they say.' After drinking what he suspects was a spiked beer, Fernando blacked out and woke up the following day with €1,000 missing. CCTV later showed him returning to his hotel, retrieving a bank card from his safe, and leaving again—all while still under the drug's influence. 'It does something to your brain where you forget completely… it's like a vacuum,' he added. Robbed without remembering it Others have faced even worse outcomes. A Colombian TikTok user known as Juan Esteban 'Manning' recounted being drugged after a Tinder date and waking up six hours later in a looted apartment, stripped of everything from designer clothes to flip-flops. 'It was the worst experience. I woke up and found myself lying in my apartment, a mess,' he said, according to Infobae. Security footage showed his date calmly walking out with stolen suitcases. And it's not limited to nightlife or dating apps. In Bogotá, attackers have used scopolamine in broad daylight — dusted on jackets, notebooks, even ATM keypads. The drug's power lies in its stealth — most victims don't realise they've been exposed until far too late. Many never report it out of confusion, embarrassment or shame. Toxicology professor Kamyar Afarinkia explained the drug's ease of use: 'You can get a business card, soak it in [scopolamine], let it dry and then give it to somebody. 'When they touch it, unless they wash their hands quickly, it gets absorbed under their skin.' In North Carolina, Charlotte resident Paranda Davis took to Facebook to sound the alarm after a close friend was allegedly drugged by a stranger. 'She remembered a Hispanic woman approaching her… and then everything went blank,' Davis wrote. Hospital tests later confirmed Scopolamine was in her system, according to Davis. 'This incident happened right here in Charlotte, NC and I know the victim personally,' she posted. 'She gave me full permission to share her story in hopes of warning others.' Davis urged followers to stay alert, noting criminals may 'blow it in your face, lace your drink, or put it on paper, cards, or handshakes.' Another Facebook user, Angela Moore, reposted Davis' warning, adding: 'This exactly what happened to me.' Critics and doubts Not all experts agree on the scale of the threat. Former government toxicologist Dr Les King argues the effects of scopolamine might be overstated. He notes that the drug is a solid, not a gas, and claims it would be difficult to absorb enough through casual contact to incapacitate someone. 'Just picking up something that's been impregnated with this drug is not going to cause you any harm,' Dr King said. He added that other drugs like benzodiazepines may be behind many reported cases, citing a lack of toxicological evidence for scopolamine-related attacks. But for Deborah — and many others — the danger feels very real. 'The more people that know,' she said, 'the more people that might be able to help. Or help someone else who is being targeted.' 'Trust your gut,' Deborah warns. 'It's best to be wary — than to be a victim.'
