Muggles never cease to amaze me. Not only do they use science and technology to make their life easier; they also attempt to mimic the ways of the wizarding world. Simply put--- and this I boldly claim--- muggles are copycats.
Here are a few evidence which I gathered through my Advanced Muggle Studies course:
Sodium Amytal: Their So-called Truth Serum
Talk about lack of originality. Muggles use sodium amytal, also known as amobarbital, as "truth drug." This a sedative or hypnotic drug that alters higher cognitive functions, and is rumored to be used illegally in police interrogations and is featured in spy movies, which Muggles enjoy watching. Other truth drugs include temazepam and sodium thiopental. When administered through injection or intravenously, these drugs make Muggles divulge their deepest, darkest secrets.
Seratonin, Sex Pheromones, Aphrodisiacs and Other Muggle Versions of Amortentia
Seratonin, dopamine, norepinephrine-- Muggles refer to these as "feel-good neurotransmitters," biochemicals secreted by the body and released into the bloodstream, which create feelings of euphoria, giddiness, and elation. Feelings of "love." Possibility: these biochemicals can be tapped to produce the Muggle version of Amortentia Potion. I shudder at the thought of this!
Then, there's sex pheromones. These are also produced naturally by the body and is mainly responsible for sexual attraction among Muggles. these sex hormones find their way into the pores of the skin, creating some kind of a "sexy scent" that has different effects on different people.
Aphrodisiacs are foods, like chocolates and oysters, which intensify the libido and sex drive.
Draught of Living Death, Pirated Version
Muggles attempt to mimic the effects of the Draught of Living Death, which sends the drinker into a deep trance that mimics the state of death, with the use of hallucinogenic drugs, one of which is called tetrodotoxin, a naturally occurring toxin from puffer fish, which causes paralysis and coma. A certain Muggle in Haiti named Clairvius Narcisse is said to have been turned into a living zombie with the use of a combination of neurotoxic drugs. His story is documented in a book by Wade Davis, titled The Serpent and the Rainbow.
Muggle Levitation
With the invention of electromagnets, magnetic levitation or magnetic suspension has made it possible for Muggles to make heavy objects such as trains levitate. Muggles can now defy gravity, the way wizards do with one flick of the wand and the Levitating Charm, which we learn during our first year of education at wizarding schools.
Imperius Curse, Muggle Style
Muggles call it "hypnosis and suggestion." It is usually induced by a procedure known as a hypnotic induction, which is commonly composed of a long series of preliminary instructions and suggestions. Post-hypnotic suggestion is the induction, under hypnosis, of a person into a behavior or thinking pattern that makes itself manifest after he has come out of the hypnotic state.
There, Muggles' attempt to mimic the effect of Imperius Curse!
Personally, I really have nothing against these Muggle practices. I can only hope that Muggles will not "misuse" nor "abuse" these gifts of ingenuity with which they are endowed.
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for my favorite Muggle, H. Granger...
