Glitterstim

Glitterstim was the name of a potent variety of the drug family "spice" that was mined on Kessel. It gave the user a brief, yet pleasurable telepathic boost and heightened mental state. It was a very valuable kind of spice, and tightly controlled by the Galactic Empire.

It was produced from the webs of spice spiders. The spice was photoactive, so it had to be mined in total darkness or else it would be ruined. After it was mined it had to be packaged in an opaque paper to prevent accidental activation. Glitterstim spice was quite addictive—casual use could quickly lead to full-blown addiction. "Cutters" were used to prepare the spice for sale. Glitterstim addicts were sometimes called "glit-biters."

"It always hits the eyes first."

―Han Solo

Sources vary over the true effects of glitterstim. It has been widely lauded to give a temporary telepathic boost, but many, such as Corran Horn, felt that the increased abilities were merely imagined by the spiced users. Others, such as Han Solo, felt their effects first-hand and knew the telepathic powers to be true. Excessive use, however, degenerated the nerves in the brain resulting in loss of sight, twitching, nervousness and paranoia.

Glitterstim played a key role in convincing Bria Tharen to abandon her religious life on Ylesia. She was given a vial of the drug by Han Solo, who suggested she use it to read his surface thoughts and verify he was telling the truth about the fraudulent nature of the Ylesian priesthood. Instead, Bria ingested the spice during the Exultation ceremony; despite being bombarded by the induced pleasures of every worshiper around her, she read the mind of the t'landa Til priest Teroenza and found there no religious belief at all, but the thoughts of a swindler. Teroenza reacted to the telepathic presence, and Bria fled.

Glitterstim was the basis for other spice variants, such as glitteryll and tempest.