Atropine is a toxic alkaloid found in belladonna and some other members of the nightshade family. This bitter crystalline compound has a number of medical uses when used in a controlled setting, and people have also used it recreationally, although this practice is not recommended. Pharmaceutical grade atropine is produced in highly controlled settings to ensure dosing is accurate and safe.
This medication depresses the action of the vagus nerve, a nerve that controls a number of functions in the torso, including heart rate. It also interferes with the action of acetylcholine, causing the muscles in the body to relax. Atropine generally dilates the pupils and raises the heart rate. It can also cause dizziness, nausea, and a variety of neurological symptoms, because it crosses the blood-brain barrier. In serious overdose, atropine can cause death.
Atropine uses take advantage of its effects on the body, turning it to good use. For example, it can be given to dilate the pupils, or as an antispasmodic medication, as it forces the muscles to relax. Because it reduces secretions in the respiratory tract, atropine is also used in anesthesiology to reduce these secretions, ensuring that the patient does not experience a buildup of fluid in the lungs. Atropine can also be used to treat organophosphate poisoning and to stimulate the heart in people with a slow heart rate.
Because atropine can be very dangerous, it must be used under controlled circumstances. Physicians must carefully calculate and measure the dose to ensure that atropine is used appropriately, and access to this medication is restricted in many regions due to concerns about the potential for abuse. People who use atropine recreationally usually do so in an attempt to experience neurological symptoms, and may do so by consuming members of the nightshade family, which may be the last thing they do, since the dose of atropine in a single plant it is impossible to calculate.
The name of this chemical refers to Atropos, one of the destinations of Greek mythology. According to legend, Atropos decided how people would die. People have been made aware of the dangers of eating members of the nightshade family due to atropine, which is why potatoes and tomatoes were viewed with such suspicion when they were introduced to Europe, as these plants belong to this family . Eggplants, peppers, and tobacco are also in the nightshade family, demonstrating the diversity found among nightshades, as members of this family are formally known.