a living dream

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Speaking of hallucinogenics, that is what we were talking about, right?  My mind is not really clear on that. Jimsonweed or Datura is in bloom. The plant’s alkaloids are some of the few substances that cause true, long-lasting hallucinations that cannot be distinguished from reality.

Ingesting it produces an effect akin to a living dream; consciousness comes and goes. Consumers are said to have conversations with invisible people and the effects can last for days.

Also known as angel's trumpet (perhaps for obvious reasons), there's a mnemonic to remember jimsonweed intoxication, “blind as a bat, mad as a hatter, red as a beet, hot as hell, dry as a bone, the bowel and bladder lose their tone, and the heart runs alone.”

The word jimson comes from Jamestown and historically, the plant is linked to that town in Virginia. In 1676, British soldiers, sent to suppress Bacon’s Rebellion, ran out of food. They foraged and gathered the native Datura for a boiled salad. Several ate hardily of the potherb and spent eleven days generally appearing to have gone insane. Some of the stupefied Brits even shed their clothing and frolicked like children. Rebellion be damned.

Eleven days, in and out of reality, over a boiled salad: Could this be the origin of the term getting "stewed"?

Please do not try this at home! Or you will end up in the hospital having your stomach pumped or sitting naked in your neighbor's yard, neither do you want on your resumé.


- Photo taken in South Knoxville, I just don't remember where. Has anyone seen my clothing?

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