‘ Eating a spiked brownie nearly destroyed me'
New UK|July 19, 2021
A student prank at a party led Ruth Poniarski to mental breakdowns and schizophrenia – a stigmatised and often-misunderstood illness
SUSANNA GALTON
‘ Eating a spiked brownie nearly destroyed me'

When Ruth Poniarski ate a spiked brownie as a student it drove her to the brink of insanity and caused a life-changing accident. Now an artist and mother of two, she is married to psychiatrist Richard and lives in New York.

Students often get up to mischief – they’re young and it’s the first time they’ve left home. But a college prank played on me when I was 20 was far too serious to shrug off the next day. In fact, it almost destroyed me.

It was back in 1977. I was studying for an architecture degree and had my whole future ahead of me. Then I got invited to a small end-of-term party. It wasn’t a wild affair – there were only about eight others there, all architecture graduates and physics Ph.D. students. Not the craziest bunch.

People had drunk a little wine but that was it. Everyone was heading home when a so-called friend, Joseph, produced some brownies and told me his professor’s wife had made them. I was hungry and naively didn’t think to question it, I just ate it.

ANGEL DUST

What I didn’t realise was the homemade cake had been laced with “angel dust”, the nickname for an anesthetic called PCP, which stops pain but can also cause hallucinations. I’d never heard of the drug before, but I now know it’s an animal tranquilizer.

Within minutes of eating it I started to “decompensate”, which medically means losing the ability to maintain my mental health. Everyone had left the party by now, and I think Joseph thought the drug would make me want to have sex with him, but I had no interest in that whatsoever.

Bu hikaye New UK dergisinin July 19, 2021 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

Bu hikaye New UK dergisinin July 19, 2021 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

NEW UK DERGISINDEN DAHA FAZLA HIKAYETümünü görüntüle
TAKE CARE OF YOUR GUT
New UK

TAKE CARE OF YOUR GUT

Simple lifestyle and dietary changes can improve digestion, boost immunity and enhance your overall wellbeing

time-read
3 dak  |
November 18, 2024
Mum found murdered daughter in the bathroom of her girl's violent ex
New UK

Mum found murdered daughter in the bathroom of her girl's violent ex

Mirelle Mateus eventually broke away from her abusive relationship, but Aaron Romo wasn't prepared to accept it was over

time-read
5 dak  |
November 18, 2024
'The win changed our lives for the better'
New UK

'The win changed our lives for the better'

While most people would regard a lottery windfall as the best news ever, for others it can lead them on a downward spiral

time-read
3 dak  |
November 18, 2024
Struggling in silence
New UK

Struggling in silence

With many men still finding it hard to talk about their mental health, the Movember charity warns that suicide is on the rise

time-read
2 dak  |
November 18, 2024
"I was really suffering — I fainted on set"
New UK

"I was really suffering — I fainted on set"

MAFS UK's Lacey Martin on her time on the show and her battle with endometriosis

time-read
4 dak  |
November 18, 2024
'My dream show would be I'm A Celebrity'
New UK

'My dream show would be I'm A Celebrity'

Bake Off finalist Ruby Bhogal tells us about her \"big fat Indian wedding\" and why she'd be great in the jungle

time-read
5 dak  |
November 18, 2024
'If I have had a laugh, I'm winning at life
New UK

'If I have had a laugh, I'm winning at life

This Morning's Josie Gibson tells new about stealing food on I'm A Celeb and who she can't wait to watch this year

time-read
4 dak  |
November 18, 2024
Stacey's 'pact' with Mrs Hinch
New UK

Stacey's 'pact' with Mrs Hinch

Cleaning guru Mrs Hinch's third pregnancy could lead to a 'baby pact' with her good friend Stacey Solomon, a source tells new - and new career opportunities

time-read
3 dak  |
November 18, 2024
Meghan fears Harry having to exit US
New UK

Meghan fears Harry having to exit US

The Sussexes are worried about incoming president Donald Trump's vow to consider deporting Harry over his visa drama and previous drug use, a source tells new

time-read
3 dak  |
November 18, 2024
'Our son is my harshest restaurant critic'
New UK

'Our son is my harshest restaurant critic'

Chef Jean-Christophe Novelli and his wife Michelle talk about how technology is helping their youngest son

time-read
5 dak  |
November 18, 2024