Move over, magic mushrooms – there’s a new psychedelic drug in town.
The idea of ingesting toad venom may sound strange or even disgusting to many people, but this substance has increased in popularity over the past few years. [1]
However, the use of toad venom comes with many dangers.
Toad venom is derived from the Sonoran desert toad, also known as the cane toad.
These amphibians produce venom called 5-MeO-DMT which is up to 6 times more powerful than DMT.
The venom is made to repel predators and prevent the toads from being eaten, but humans have discovered that it can be used as a psychedelic drug. [2]
In the past, people would squeeze these toads and then lick the venom from their backs to experience a high.
These days, it is more common to dry the venom into a paste and then smoke it.
Toad venom causes a very quick and short-lasting high, beginning five minutes after ingestion and lasting for around one hour.
People have been using toad venom for many years, particularly in Mexico, and now it has increased in popularity around the world.
Most people use toad venom in an attempt to have a psychedelic experience.
It is offered at some retreats in areas where this substance is legal, and some people believe that it can have a life-changing effect.
Toad venom is also used by people who are struggling with physical and mental health disorders who have found no relief via traditional methods.
However, there is no research that suggests toad venom is safe to ingest.
Common effects of using toad venom include:
Depending on your physical and mental health, you may have a different reaction to toad venom than someone else.
It is also possible to have a ‘bad trip’ even if you have had previous positive experiences with using toad venom.
If you don’t believe toad venom can be dangerous due to being a natural substance, think again.
There are many dangers associated [3] with the use of toad venom, which is why it is currently illegal in the UK and many other countries.
Some of these dangers include:
As the effects of toad venom can be so extreme, people who use this substance may completely disassociate from their mind and body and be unable to move.
This is known as ‘whiting-out’ and can be very dangerous.
If you white-out at a party or in a place surrounded by other people, you are at risk of being taken advantage of.
Your chances of being robbed or sexually assaulted are greatly increased when you are not aware of what’s going on.
Alternatively, if you use toad venom at home then you may not be able to react quickly in case of an emergency, such as a fire or accident.
If you are looking after young children, you may not be able to watch over them and prevent them from harm.
Some people have experienced extreme anxiety for days after using toad venom which has resulted in hospital admission and in rare cases, using toad venom has caused death. [4]
The risk of developing an addiction also plays a factor in the dangers of toad venom, as it may be possible to develop a dependency on these substances.
Currently, there is not enough research to determine undeniably whether toad venom and other psychedelic drugs such as magic mushrooms are addictive.
While toad venom may not yet be proven to be physically addictive, it could be argued that this drug has the potential to be psychologically addictive.
It is thought that people who use toad venom could build up a tolerance over time, which means they will need to take larger amounts and use it more frequently to get the same results.
Additionally, some people report that they do not feel happy unless they are under the influence of psychedelic drugs.
This could lead to dependence and an inability to stop using psychedelic drugs including toad venom without professional help.
Toad venom is dangerous, and it is possible for the use of this drug to cause death.
One study detailed the sad case of an otherwise healthy man who ingested toad venom. [5]
He quickly developed gastrointestinal symptoms including nausea and stomach pain, and this quickly led to heart failure before he eventually passed away.
This fact shouldn’t be surprising – after all, toads secrete this venom to protect themselves.
It makes sense that it could kill a human, particularly if smoked or consumed.
Certain people may also be more susceptible to a bad reaction, including those with preexisting physical or mental health conditions and those with unknown allergies.
While rare, toad venom poisoning does happen and you could die from using this substance.
As a result, it is recommended that you avoid ingesting toad venom in any form.
Toad venom is illegal in the UK.
It is classified as a Class A drug, meaning that it carries some of the most severe penalties if you are caught possessing, supplying or manufacturing it.
Class A drugs carry a maximum prison sentence of seven years if you are caught in possession of them, which increases to life in prison if you are caught manufacturing or supplying them. [6]
Other ‘natural psychedelics’ such as magic mushrooms are also classified as Class A drugs.
It doesn’t matter if the drugs are yours or not – if they are in your possession, they are your responsibility.
If you are under 18 years of age, police are legally able to inform your parent or guardian about the reason you have been arrested.
Toad venom was once a relatively unknown substance, but over the past few years it has quickly increased in popularity.
So, why has toad venom suddenly become so well-known?
Celebrities such as Mike Tyson are making waves with their use of toad venom.
Tyson credited smoking toad venom with helping him to lose weight and find the motivation to get back into the ring again, describing a ‘near-death’ experience while using the drug that completely changed his life. [7]
Hunter Biden, son of US President Joe Biden, claims that toad venom helped him to recover from a crack cocaine addiction.
For many people, celebrities are extremely influential.
When they endorse a product, even something as unregulated and illegal as toad venom, it will cause an increased demand and surge in popularity.
‘Natural’ mind-altering substances are also becoming more popular, as many people mistakenly believe they are completely safe. Magic mushrooms have been around for decades, and toad venom seems to be taking over as the new natural psychedelic.
Using very small amounts of certain drugs is known as microdosing, and many people believe that it can help to treat mental health problems such as depression and anxiety while also enhancing creativity and well-being.
So can you microdose toad venom? Is it even safe to do so?
Right now, there is no evidence to show that microdosing toad venom or other psychedelics is safe or even effective. One study found that while participants who took very small doses of psychedelics reported feeling happier and more creative, their brain waves showed no changes.
This suggests that the positive benefits of microdosing toad venom are purely a placebo effect.
As psychedelics such as toad venom are illegal and therefore unregulated, it is very difficult to determine the exact dose that you are taking. You may think you are using a very small amount, but the substances could be laced with other drugs that you are unaware of.
Some people believe that using toad venom can help alleviate the symptoms of certain mental health disorders such as depression.
One study found that 80% of people who self-reported depression or anxiety experienced relief from their symptoms after using toad venom in a controlled environment. [9]
Some people also report feeling completely reborn after using toad venom, and going on to make major changes to their lives.
Many reported feeling happier and more joyful after their experience, and this leads some researchers to believe that there may be a place for toad venom in treating depression in the future.
However, it is also important to remember that using toad venom comes with many dangers which may not outweigh the supposed (and unproven) benefits.
There is no evidence to prove that using toad venom while pregnant or breastfeeding is safe.
Therefore, it is recommended that pregnant and breastfeeding women should not use this substance.
It is very difficult to conduct research on the dangers of using toad venom during pregnancy, due to the ethical concerns that would arise.
However, is is theorised that psychedelics can travel from mother to baby both in the womb and through breastmilk, and this could have a negative effect on a developing foetus or baby.
One type of psychedelic, LSD, has been proven to have the potential to compromise the blood flow to the placenta. [10]
This can be extremely dangerous and could trigger a miscarriage.
Speak to your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding and have been using toad venom – they will be able to advise you based on your individual case.
Using toad venom is not only potentially dangerous for humans, it is also affecting the toad population in a negative way.
The Sonoran desert toad is an endangered species, and the illegal collection is further depleting the numbers of these amphibians.
If left unchecked, they could become extinct in the near future.
There are also concerns that these toads are now being bred in poor conditions to manufacture toad venom.
The natural ecosystem is extremely delicate and can be disrupted very easily.
Breeding large numbers of toads and releasing them back into the wild could wreak havoc, as well as removing them and potentially causing this species to become extinct.
The venom is produced and used by toads for a reason: to protect themselves.
It can be dangerous to bring venomous toads near humans and other animals, and there are concerns that dogs, cats and even small children could be poisoned if they come into contact with the Sonoran desert toad.
If you want to stop using toad venom safely, you will need professional help and support.
As the widespread use of toad venom is a relatively new phenomenon, you may be unsure of where to turn to for support.
This is where Rehab 4 Addiction can help – as we have connections to rehabs and addiction treatment programmes across the country, we can put you in touch with a rehab clinic that specialises in treating psychedelic addiction.
All it takes is one phone call. Reach out on 0800 140 4690 and one of our qualified team members will be available with free advice.
Many people feel embarrassed about using toad venom. It’s important to remember that there is nothing to be ashamed of – in fact, reaching out for help is one of the bravest things you can do.
Psychedelic addiction is a real problem, and you deserve support and guidance throughout your recovery.
[1] https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/20/us/toad-venom-psychedelic.html
[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1769273/
[3] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1769273/a
[4]https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0379073809000802
[6] https://www.gov.uk/penalties-drug-possession-dealing
[7] https://people.com/sports/mike-tyson-says-he-died-while-taking-psychedelic-toad-venom/
[9] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30822141/
[10] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4989590/
Boris is our editor-in-chief at Rehab 4 Addiction. Boris is an addiction expert with more than 20 years in the field. His expertise covers a broad of topics relating to addiction, rehab and recovery. Boris is an addiction therapist and assists in the alcohol detox and rehab process. Boris has been featured on a variety of websites, including the BBC, Verywell Mind and Healthline. You can connect with Boris online at LinkedIn or X.com.
