brainblank

Brainblanking is abusing a chemical reaction between cachaemic furanocoumarins and other indicator chemicals in order to cause a non-cachaemite to experience temporary memory loss and/or unconsciousness. It is occasionally done accidentally.

Effect

Brainblanking affects the ability of non-cachaemites to form new memories. In rare cases, it can cause unconsciousness.
Popular perception is that it can cause unconsciousness in seconds, like the archetypal villain with a rag of chloroform. However, like actual chloroform, the onset is far from immediate. Someone who is approaching unconsciousness will get a feeling of lightheadedness which immediately improves by stepping away from the cachaemite in question.

Side/Secondary Effects

As it has a courmarin component, it can also act as an anticoagulant, but this effect doesn't really affect people who just inhale the volatile chemical as it's not in the system long enough to inhibit vitamin K synthesis to such a degree that it really matters -- remember, warfarin doesn't work instantly.

Manifestation

Those under its effects who retain consciousness describe the smell as distinctly plant-like, but not fruity. It bears some resemblance to freshly cut grass and vanilla.

Source

The chemical behind this results in a reaction between the indicator chemicals of Contramort, which are used to determine if successful infection occurred. One of these indicator chemicals is a furocoumarin, also resulting in autophytophotodermatisis.

Discovery

Brainblanking has been known since animal testing on proto-Contramort showed that infected mice were having difficulty with memory and sometimes even passing out. For this reason cachaemites are immune; codes for an enzyme to break down the chemical was added to the virus to eliminate this side effect. It was never anticipated that humans would be able to consciously trigger the reaction and use it against other humans.

Effect Duration

30 - 45 seconds (brief exposure) but will last as long as exposure continues; if rendered unconscious, consciousness is usually regained within 25 minutes

Range

5 foot radius around cachaemite

Applied Restriction

If used underwater, the only thing it is capable of doing is knocking out frogs sharing the same body water if said body of water is very small.