Bufo alvarius: a potent hallucinogen of animal origin.
Journal of Ethnopharmacology 1994 DOI: 10.1016/0378-8741(94)90051-5 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Experimental study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Bufo alvarius toad venom |
| Topics | 5-MeO-DMT |
| Citations | 125 |
| Key findings | The Sonoran desert toad Bufo alvarius secretes the hallucinogen 5-MeO-DMT that can be safely smoked and is powerfully psychoactive, making it a plausible ritual intoxicant for Precolumbian peoples. |
Abstract
Anthropologists have long speculated that ancient peoples of Mesoameria used a toad, Bufo marinus, as a ritual intoxicant. This hypothesis rests on many iconographic and mythological representations of toads and on a number of speculative ethnographic reports. The authors reject B. marinus as a candidate for such use because of the toxicity of its venom. A more likely candidate is the Sonoran desert toad, Bufo alvarius, which secretes large amounts of the potent known hallucinogen, 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT). The authors demonstrate that the venom of B. alvarius, although known to be toxic when consumed orally, may be safely smoked and is powerfully psychoactive by that route of administration. These experiments are the first documentation of an hallucinogenic agent from the animal kingdom, and they provide clear evidence of a psychoactive toad that could have been employed by Precolumbian peoples of the New World.
Comparable studies
Other experimental studies on 5-MeO-DMT, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Short term changes in the proteome of human cerebral organoids induced by 5-MeO-DMT. Human cerebral organoids | 2017 | Experimental study | |
| Prospective examination of synthetic 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine inhalation: effects on salivary IL-6, cortisol levels, affect, and non-judgment Volunteers | 2019 | Within-subjects experimental study | n = 11 |
| Unmasking of a neonatal somatovesical reflex in adult cats by the serotonin autoreceptor agonist 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine. Adult cats | 1990 | Experimental study | n = 10 |
| Studies on the Mechanism of Action of Monoamine Oxidase: Metabolism of N,N-Dimethyltryptamine and N,N-Dimethyltryptamine-N-Oxide | 1962 | Experimental study | |
| An analysis of the synthetic tryptamines AMT and 5-MeO-DALT: emerging 'Novel Psychoactive Drugs'. | 2013 | Experimental study |
Citations in the library
Cited by 61
- The hallucinogenic world of tryptamines: an updated review. Archives of Toxicology August 1, 2015
- 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 April 13, 2019
- Psychedelic 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine: metabolism, pharmacokinetics, drug interactions, and pharmacological actions. Current Drug Metabolism October 1, 2010
- The epidemiology of 5-methoxy- N, N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT) use: Benefits, consequences, patterns of use, subjective effects, and reasons for consumption. Journal of Psychopharmacology July 1, 2018
- Short term changes in the proteome of human cerebral organoids induced by 5-MeO-DMT. Scientific Reports October 9, 2017
and 56 more in the library
Cites 6
- Monoamine oxidase inhibitors in South American hallucinogenic plants: Tryptamine and β-carboline constituents of Ayahuasca Journal of Ethnopharmacology April 1, 1984
- Behavioral effects of 5-methoxy-N:N-dimethyltryptamine, other tryptamines, and LSD American Journal of Physiology-Legacy Content July 1, 1962
- Identity of a New World Psychoactive Toad Ancient Mesoamerica 1992
- Ethnomedical, Botanical and Phytochemical Aspects of Natural Hallucinogens Botanical Museum leaflets Harvard University June 1, 1980
- Monoamine oxidase inhibitors in South American hallucinogenic plants Part 2: Constituents of orally-active Myristicaceous hallucinogens. Journal of Ethnopharmacology November 1, 1984
and 1 more in the library