Animals

While it is common knowledge that toad secretions can induce altered states, what is not well-known is that other animals have psychoactive properties, as well. Much of the information is sketchy and anecdotal, however.

Ants. Several Native American tribes of Southern California have ingested ants as a means of inducing visions and obtaining supernatural powers, though the particular species has not yet been identified.

Bees and wasps. Honey made from the nectar of the belladonna plant will retain some of the plant alkaloids' psychoactive effects. Multiple bee and wasp stings can induce euphoria and heighten the perception of colors and geometric forms.

Cobra. Indian holy men supposedly smoke the dried venom of the king cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) and the common cobra (Naja naja).

Fish. The puffer fish is supposedly one ingredient of the Haitian zombie drug. A species of Kyphosus (possibly Kyphosus fuseus or Kyphosus vaigiensis) of Norfolk Island in the Pacific, two species of mullet (Mugil cephalus and Neomyxus chaptalli), and two species of goatfish (Mulloidichthys samoensis and Upeneus urge) are known by some as "dream fish" or "nightmare fish." That the effects are genuine - as evinced by infants who have shown all the classic signs of nightmares after consuming it - and that it is not an allergic reaction- as non-toxic species produce no reactions in those who have also eaten the toxic ones - has been proved, though the exact psychoactive principle remains a mystery. While German anthropologist Christian Ratsch states that the fish may contain DMT, others are not so sure (Jonathan Ott asserts that the DMT would not be psychoactive if taken orally, and would not exist in sufficient quantities to produce the required effects if it were), though bacteria from decay and algae eaten by the fish are two possibilities that are also considered unlikely. Disagreements by various Pacific Islanders concerning the physical characteristics of the relevant fish and the specific parts of the fish purported to be psychoactive only add to the confusion. The surgeonfish (Acanthurus sandvicensis) and the rudder fish (Kyphosus cinerascens) are also rumored to be hallucinogenic.

Giraffe. A drink, called umm nyolokh, made from the liver and bone marrow of a giraffe, is said by the Humr people of the Sudan to induce hallucinations and vivid dreams. Richard Rudgely speculates that the bone marrow may harbor DMT.

Moth larva. It has been said that a "bamboo grub," called bicho de tacuara by the Malalis of Brazil and identified as the larva of the Myelobia smerintha moth, induces an opium-like sleep filled with vivid dreams.

Salamander. It is possible that medieval alchemists had been able to extract some form of psychoactive substance from the salamander. The secretions have been found to contain steroid alkaloids, one of which is a neurotoxin that can cause convulsions and death.

Scorpion. One researcher has reported that those stung by a scorpion experience hallucinations. An analysis of such poisons has yet to be conducted to determine if they have psychoactive properties.

Spanish fly. This notorious aphrodisiac, also known as cantharides, is actually the wings of the Cantharis vesicatoria beetle, though its use can cause toxicity in sufficient doses.

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