Has anticholinergic compounds...scopolamine, atropine, and hyoscyamine. Jimson weed (high in “scope”)...well known as hallucinogenic, belladonna also contains the same anticholinergic chemicals.
Anticholinergics are used in medicine also. Most of them don’t have the central nervous system effects as the anticholinergics in black henbane at the doses used.
Believe it or not...they used to use belladonna as a cigarette to relieve certain types of asthma. Sometimes patient would go kookoo..nowadays they use less psychoactive anticholinergics.
The ancients knew a lot more than we give them credit for. Even in the topic of medicinal plants. We shouldn’t conclude that the use of black henbane was for recreational hallucinogenic use only.
Fun fact: belladonna interpreted means “beautiful lady”..
Why? Most likely cause it dilated pupils...and ladies who used belladonna would get dilated pupils, and look more attractive...also belladonna might have a “beer goggle” effect on horny men(as long as they don’t take too much)...so any girl looks like a “ bella donna”.
“Oh, Donna”...cried Richie Valens...now you know why.( well....maybe..)..IMHO