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Key TakeawaysVenom from the Sonoran Desert toad contains a psychoactive compound that can be ingested to induce a powerful psychedelic experience.While illegal in the US, the substance is gaining popularity, and research on its active ingredient shows potential for treating depression.Experts warn to keep in mind the safety and environmental concerns associated with toad venom.

Key Takeaways

Venom from the Sonoran Desert toad contains a psychoactive compound that can be ingested to induce a powerful psychedelic experience.While illegal in the US, the substance is gaining popularity, and research on its active ingredient shows potential for treating depression.Experts warn to keep in mind the safety and environmental concerns associated with toad venom.

Venom is typically considered a substance to be avoided, and toads aren’t the most appealing creatures. So, why would you ingest or smoke their venom? For the psychedelic experience, of course.

According to the Addiction Center, some users describe this trip “as a feeling of awareness, being connected to a higher power and feeling reborn.” Users often report altered mood and perception, and some even feel motivated to make major life changes due to their new outlook.

Joseph Araujo, PharmacologistMany patients are not getting relief from currently approved medicines and are seeking help from non-or less regulated approaches.

Joseph Araujo, Pharmacologist

Many patients are not getting relief from currently approved medicines and are seeking help from non-or less regulated approaches.

“While it is unlikely that toad venom per se will be investigated for therapeutic benefit, there are several groups investigating the therapeutic benefit of 5-MeO-DMT for indications such as treatment-resistant depression and substance misuse,” says behavioral pharmacologistJoseph Araujo, chief scientific officer, and behavioral pharmacologist atMindset Pharma, a biotechnology company dedicated to exploring and developing pharmaceutical-grade, low-cost psychedelics.

Araujo notes that the rise in popularity of toad venom could be the “psychedelic renaissance” we’re currently experiencing, which has bolstered the conversation around the potential utility of these substances.

“Many patients are not getting relief from currently approved medicines and are seeking help from non-or less regulated approaches,” Araujo says. “Collectively, this seems to have driven interest in several psychedelics, including 5-MeO-DMT.”

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Safety Concerns

It’s important to note that safety data is lacking. Because 5-MeO-DMT is potent, Araujo says, there is potential for dangerous drug interactions.

“In our own studies, we have seen signs of serotonergic syndrome at high doses, which in humans can lead to fatality,” Araujo says.

Advanced addiction and substance specialistMatt Glowiak, PhD, LPC, adds that 5-MeO-DMT is classified as a schedule one narcotic in the U.S. And as with any controlled substance, there is an issue of safety concern.

Matt Glowiak, PhD, LPCAt high doses, individuals may become disoriented, nauseated, and even white-out.

Matt Glowiak, PhD, LPC

At high doses, individuals may become disoriented, nauseated, and even white-out.

“At high doses, individuals may become disoriented, nauseated, and even white-out,” Glowiack says. “A hangover effect may last for several days. Further, for those with psychotic and other diagnosable mental health and addictive disorders, the experience may prove triggering—intensifying symptomology into something that exceeds one’s ability to control it. This can be scary.”

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Environmental Impact

The environmental impact of milking toads for their venom is another area of concern. The Sonoran desert toad is only found in northern Mexico and the southwestern United States and is considered endangered in California and threatened in New Mexico.

Robert Anthony Villa, a researcher at the University of Arizona, has spoken publicly in the interest of protecting the species of toad, which is “susceptible to exploitation.” And the Tucson Herpetological Society launched theSonoran Desert Toad Fundto benefit the ongoing research and conservation of the species. Some of their merchandise reads “Leave toads alone!” and “Please trip responsibly.”

Joseph Araujo, PharmacologistOne does not need to unnecessarily stress toads to obtain 5-MeO-DMT.

One does not need to unnecessarily stress toads to obtain 5-MeO-DMT.

However, being responsible doesn’t necessarily mean cutting out the psychedelic experience of 5-MeO-DMT. It’s important for people to realize the compound can be synthesized, Araujo says.

“The effects will be the same and one does not need to unnecessarily stress toads to obtain 5-MeO-DMT,” he says.

Research backs this up: A 2019 study from Johns Hopkins University revealed that the synthetic version of 5-MeO-DMT can also alleviate depression.Another 2019 study conducted in Europe found that inhaling a single dose of 5-MeO-DMT induced feelings of greater life satisfaction while lessening feelings of anxiety, depression and PTSD.

While more research on synthetic 5-MeO-DMT is necessary to determine its real benefit, the potential to lessen the drug’s environmental impact is incredibly valuable.

What This Means For YouWhile toad venom can induce a mind-altering psychedelic experience, it comes with safety and environmental concerns and is not recommended for recreational use.

What This Means For You

While toad venom can induce a mind-altering psychedelic experience, it comes with safety and environmental concerns and is not recommended for recreational use.

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5 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Carod-Artal FJ.Hallucinogenic drugs in pre-Columbian Mesoamerican cultures.Neurologia. 2015;30(1):42-9. doi:10.1016/j.nrl.2011.07.003Lyttle T, Goldstein D, Gartz J.Bufo toads and bufotenine: Fact and fiction surrounding an alleged psychedelic.J Psychoactive Drugs. 1996;28(3):267-290. doi:10.1080/02791072.1996.10472488The Addiction Center.Toad venom addiction and abuse.Davis AK, So S, Lancelotta R, Barsuglia JP, Griffiths RR.5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT) used in a naturalistic group setting is associated with unintended improvements in depression and anxiety.Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse. 2019;45(2):161-169. doi:10.1080/00952990.2018.1545024Uthaug MV, Lancelotta R, van Oorsouw K, et al.A single inhalation of vapor from dried toad secretion containing 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT) in a naturalistic setting is related to sustained enhancement of satisfaction with life, mindfulness-related capacities, and a decrement of psychopathological symptoms.Psychopharmacology. 2019;236(9):2653-2666. doi:10.1007/s00213-019-05236-w

5 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Carod-Artal FJ.Hallucinogenic drugs in pre-Columbian Mesoamerican cultures.Neurologia. 2015;30(1):42-9. doi:10.1016/j.nrl.2011.07.003Lyttle T, Goldstein D, Gartz J.Bufo toads and bufotenine: Fact and fiction surrounding an alleged psychedelic.J Psychoactive Drugs. 1996;28(3):267-290. doi:10.1080/02791072.1996.10472488The Addiction Center.Toad venom addiction and abuse.Davis AK, So S, Lancelotta R, Barsuglia JP, Griffiths RR.5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT) used in a naturalistic group setting is associated with unintended improvements in depression and anxiety.Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse. 2019;45(2):161-169. doi:10.1080/00952990.2018.1545024Uthaug MV, Lancelotta R, van Oorsouw K, et al.A single inhalation of vapor from dried toad secretion containing 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT) in a naturalistic setting is related to sustained enhancement of satisfaction with life, mindfulness-related capacities, and a decrement of psychopathological symptoms.Psychopharmacology. 2019;236(9):2653-2666. doi:10.1007/s00213-019-05236-w

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Carod-Artal FJ.Hallucinogenic drugs in pre-Columbian Mesoamerican cultures.Neurologia. 2015;30(1):42-9. doi:10.1016/j.nrl.2011.07.003Lyttle T, Goldstein D, Gartz J.Bufo toads and bufotenine: Fact and fiction surrounding an alleged psychedelic.J Psychoactive Drugs. 1996;28(3):267-290. doi:10.1080/02791072.1996.10472488The Addiction Center.Toad venom addiction and abuse.Davis AK, So S, Lancelotta R, Barsuglia JP, Griffiths RR.5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT) used in a naturalistic group setting is associated with unintended improvements in depression and anxiety.Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse. 2019;45(2):161-169. doi:10.1080/00952990.2018.1545024Uthaug MV, Lancelotta R, van Oorsouw K, et al.A single inhalation of vapor from dried toad secretion containing 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT) in a naturalistic setting is related to sustained enhancement of satisfaction with life, mindfulness-related capacities, and a decrement of psychopathological symptoms.Psychopharmacology. 2019;236(9):2653-2666. doi:10.1007/s00213-019-05236-w

Carod-Artal FJ.Hallucinogenic drugs in pre-Columbian Mesoamerican cultures.Neurologia. 2015;30(1):42-9. doi:10.1016/j.nrl.2011.07.003

Lyttle T, Goldstein D, Gartz J.Bufo toads and bufotenine: Fact and fiction surrounding an alleged psychedelic.J Psychoactive Drugs. 1996;28(3):267-290. doi:10.1080/02791072.1996.10472488

The Addiction Center.Toad venom addiction and abuse.

Davis AK, So S, Lancelotta R, Barsuglia JP, Griffiths RR.5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT) used in a naturalistic group setting is associated with unintended improvements in depression and anxiety.Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse. 2019;45(2):161-169. doi:10.1080/00952990.2018.1545024

Uthaug MV, Lancelotta R, van Oorsouw K, et al.A single inhalation of vapor from dried toad secretion containing 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT) in a naturalistic setting is related to sustained enhancement of satisfaction with life, mindfulness-related capacities, and a decrement of psychopathological symptoms.Psychopharmacology. 2019;236(9):2653-2666. doi:10.1007/s00213-019-05236-w

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