In the Dutch-Smart webshop, you’ll find a wide variety of psychedelic products. From trip capsules and LSA seeds to Ayahuasca herbs and Yopo seeds. One product we don’t (yet) have in our selection, however, is the psychedelic honey from a number of special Himalayan bees… Huh? What? Yes, it really exists: the honey from the Apis dorsata laboriosa bee is actually hallucinogenic and psychedelic. Of course, we’re going to tell you more about that!
Psychedelic honey?!
If you’re looking for a special “high,” you might not have to pick mushrooms or plants anymore—you can just have some bees make honey for you. At least, if you live in Nepal or China. This honey, also known as “Mad Honey,” is produced by the Himalayan cliff bee. This is the largest bee in the world: they grow to just over 3 cm in length, and it’s the only highland bee that has access to rhododendron flowers—flowers containing special ingredients that are perfect for making psychedelic honey. The cliff bees build gigantic nests on overhanging rocks at an altitude of about 2,500 meters—sometimes containing up to 60 kilograms of honey each!
Here’s the thing: some Rhododendron species contain so-called “grayanotoxins.” This substance makes the flower extremely toxic to humans, but in the Himalayan highlands—which include Yunnan (China), Bhutan, Nepal, and India—the rare cliff bee lives right next to the rhododendrons. These bees use the flowers to make nectar. The result? Honey with extremely potent properties. Mad honey is responsible for a number of unique effects. In fact, this special honey is so highly valued by the local populations in Nepal and China that they willingly risk their lives to harvest and sell it.
Recreational drug
In these regions, the honey is used as a recreational drug, but also as a medicine. This specific honey is believed to be exceptionally effective in treating conditions ranging from diabetes and poor sexual performance to hypertension, but only when taken in very small doses. When ingested in high doses, this hallucinogenic honey can be highly toxic and, in some cases, even fatal.
When the “correct” dose is taken, the user will experience an intoxicating, relaxing sensation. At the same time, it acts as a hallucinogen and is said to have a certain effect on our audiovisual receptors. However, there is a “but.” If the honey is consumed in high doses, there is a risk that the user will suffer from so-called Rhododendron poisoning. The consequences include muscle weakness, cardiac arrhythmia, and nausea.
Medicinal benefits
Mad Honey is produced in various parts of the world, particularly in Nepal and the Black Sea region of Turkey. In Nepal, this type of honey is used by the Gurung tribe for both its perceived hallucinogenic properties and supposed medicinal benefits. In Turkey, mad honey, known as deli bal, is also used as a recreational drug and in traditional medicine.
Want to learn more about this psychedelic honey? Then check out the video below. Prefer to buy a ready-to-use psychedelic product from our webshop? Then check out our various psychedelics here.
