It seems like everyone in the Western Hemisphere is going mad for mad honey these days. We might not be talking about Winnie-the-Pooh levels of “I’ve gotta have my honey,” but demand is exploding.
Mad honey isn’t like the honey you’d put on your morning slice of toast for an added dose of sweetness. It’s something else altogether—something many users say has resulted in a deep, satisfying high. When it comes to mad honey’s uses, though, that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
So, what is mad honey used for? What are its myriad effects? Could it even lead to better health? Keep reading for all the lovely details.
Does Mad Honey Make You High?
Mad honey hunters don’t risk their lives for just any ordinary honey. Mad honey contains special neurotoxins, called grayanotoxins, that affect certain physiological processes in the human body. As these physiological processes are affected, users likewise experience a panoply of physiological symptoms. However, most mad honey users chase the psychological effects and not the physiological or biological ones.
The most common psychological effects of mad honey include:
- Giddiness
- Emotional satisfaction
- Relaxation
- Delirium
- Hallucinations (with larger doses)
Those who have gotten high from mad honey have drawn similarities with the intoxicating effects of magic mushrooms (shrooms) and alcohol. Each mad honey user has a unique experience with the substance.
Where does mad honey come from?
Nepal, Turkey, and other places abutting the Himalayas, Caucasus Mountains, and Black Sea hold a majority of the world’s mad honey supply. That’s where you’ll find an abundance of flowers in the Rhododendron genus, which contain the grayanotoxins responsible for mad honey’s effects.
We cannot forget the bees’ contributions in all of this. They’re the ones flying down to the rhododendrons, sucking out the nectar, carrying it in their honey stomachs, and depositing their cargo into the mad honeycombs. We’d be nowhere without the mad honeybees.
A few times a year, and almost always in the spring, skilled mad honey hunters brave the dizzying heights of the Himalayan foothills to scoop up the caches of mad honey hiding out in the crags. It takes a village to collect mad honey, though; for instance, other folks help the hunters by tending to fires that smoke out the bees from the honeycombs.
Is Mad Honey a Drug?
Mad honey is not a drug in the sense that heroin, methamphetamine, and cocaine are drugs. Mad honey is legal everywhere in the United States and will almost certainly not show up on any pre-employment drug tests.
However, mad honey can be considered a drug in that its consumption produces physiological effects on the human body. Furthermore, you shouldn’t drive or operate heavy machinery after using mad honey. In that sense, it’s not unlike alcohol or delta-9-THC.
How does mad honey work in the body?
Researchers don’t fully understand why mad honey makes users high, but it seems that the grayanotoxins interact with sodium ion channels and muscarinic receptors in the human body. Those channels and receptors affect the parasympathetic nervous system, which is the other side of the sympathetic nervous system.
While the nervous system produces adrenaline (the fight-or-flight response) when we encounter a perceived threat, the parasympathetic nervous system helps us calm down and relax. Essentially, grayanotoxins help the parasympathetic nervous system go into overdrive. That’s why mad honey users often feel extra relaxed.
How long does the high from mad honey last?
Compared to other substances, the duration of mad honey’s high is extremely variable. Many users experience the intoxicating effects for a few hours. Some users, however, can feel the high for 24 hours or even a bit longer. Your body may feel a little off for several days if you ingest a large amount of mad honey. Effects usually start within one hour of consumption.
Physical Side Effects of Mad Honey
Unfortunately, you can’t get only good feelings from mad honey without experiencing some unpleasant sensations. Mad honey is known for its wide variety of physical side effects, which include:
- Low blood pressure (hypotension)
- Low heart rate
- Slowed breathing
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Drowsiness
- Blurred vision
- Temporary muscle paralysis
- Fainting
Is it possible to die from mad honey poisoning? It is, and a few accounts throughout history confirm that. But it’s exceedingly rare, and no confirmed deaths from mad honey have been reported since the 1800s.
Mad Honey as Medicine
Locals have long used mad honey to treat common ailments, such as:
- Hypertension
- Influenza
- Indigestion
- Peptic ulcers
- Gastritis
- Rashes
- Erectile dysfunction
How does mad honey taste?
Mad honey has a reputation for its sharpness. Unlike most other honeys, mad honey is more likely to irritate your throat than soothe it. If you can get past the bitterness, though, you might encounter the sweetness lurking beneath.
A Look at Gold Dragon’s Mad Honey Products
Unless you want to book a plane ticket to Nepal or Turkey, your best bet at getting premium, grade-A mad honey is by going to a reputable retailer that sells products in your area. Not to toot our own horn, but we like what we’ve got here at Gold Dragon.
Mind Bender — Mad Honey NuHoney Squeeze Pouch
What better way to get acquainted with mad honey than to get a nice squeeze pouch and carefully extract the sweet stuff? We said sweet because Mind Bender adds some all-natural flavoring in their patches for a delicious experience. They’ve got blueberry, sweet, and vanilla flavors.
Vivid Dream Co. — Mad Honey + Blue Lotus Psychedelic Gummies
If you prefer some mad honey treats perfect for on-the-go snacking, we recommend these blue lotus-infused gummies. You can choose from blue lemonade, blood orange, or apple martini.
Bundle Mad Honey Products Together for Savings
Can’t decide whether you want the gummies or the squeeze pouch? Good news: you don’t have to. Our Intro to Mad Honey contains both products. Even better news? You save money by bundling the products.
Find the Mad Honey Your Life Has Been Missing with Gold Dragon
Our mad honey products may be the answer to all your life’s quandaries. If that sounds like hyperbole, know that we’re only partially kidding. On top of the numerous health benefits of regular honey, you’ve potentially got a whole bunch of psychological benefits headed your way.
Do you have questions? Because we’ve got answers. Reach out to our staff anytime for a free consultation!
