Deadly trend: licking toads for Halloween
The trend of licking toads to achieve hallucinogenic effects is spreading from Australia and the USA to Europe. Pharmacologists and toxicologists warn of serious health risks, since the secretions of certain amphibians contain toxic and intoxicating substances. Native species produce toxins that put a strain on the heart, comparable to digitalis toxins.
Warning of dangerous trend: licking toads for intoxicating effects
In Australia, the skin of the cane toad is dried, boiled into broth or smoked. In the USA, the secretion of the Colorado toad serves similar purposes, although its consumption is prohibited. The substances bufotenine, dimethyltryptamine and 5-methoxymonomethyltryptamine are similar to LSD and trigger euphoria, disinhibition, colour visions and light effects. After about 30 minutes, symptoms such as confusion, dizziness, headache, nausea and vomiting appear.
The concentration of the substances varies, which can lead to poisoning with an increase in blood pressure, cardiac arrhythmias or cardiac arrest. In Germany, the trade in such toads is legal, as it does not fall under the Narcotics Act.
Professor Holger Barth heads the Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Toxicology and Naturopathy at Ulm University Hospital – and now expressly warns of the life-threatening risks of the new trend.
Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology. His research includes human peptidome, trauma and bacterial toxins.
Editor: X-Press Journalistenbüro GbR
Gender Notice. The personal designations used in this text always refer equally to female, male and diverse persons. Double/triple naming and gendered designations are used for better readability. ected.
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