Authorities suspect a man whose body was found in a wooded area died from eating a hallucinogenic plant that grows wildly. Matthew Brewster Gardner, 22, was found dead last week, days after he ingested jimson weed with a friend, authorities said.
Jimson weed causes powerful hallucinations that can last anywhere from several hours to a few days. It also suppresses the body’s ability to sweat and can cause severe dehydration.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on August 8, 2006. Read the original PDF.