Bufo Toads and Bufotenine: Fact and Fiction Surrounding an Alleged Psychedelic

Abstract

This paper investigates the supposedly psychedelic Bufo toad and the allegedly psychedelic drug bufotenine, which is contained in the skin and glands of this toad. The bufo toad has held a place in human mythologies and medicines worldwide since archaic times. Used by ancient peoples for a variety of purposes, its most spectacular effects, according to lore, involve magical and shamanic or occult uses for casting spells and for divination. In the Middle Ages, the Bufo toad was celebrated as a panacea and persecuted as a powerful poison. More recently, in the 1960s the Bufo toad was resurrected as a countercultural icon, with people purportedly licking or smoking the secretions to get high. Bufotenine has been at the center of a scientific debate since its discovery in 1893. This paper examines the extensive literature surrounding the Bufo toad and bufotenine, and untangles many of the myths and the misinformation that continue to vex both science and popular reporting. Finally, to promote further investigation, a comprehensive bibliography is provided that charts the history of the Bufo toad and bufotenine.

Aphrodisiacs past and present: A historical review

“…Because of its pressor and digitalis-like properties, it was recommended as a heart medication and diuretic and to stop bleeding diathesis [9]. Curiously, German violinists handled toads before performances to reduce' sweat production in their palms [9]; the mechanism through which this is achieved is unclear: no anticholinergic property is described in toad skin secretions. The aphrodisiac properties are likely of central origin, as are other (psychoactive) effects of the drug; hence, it is listed as a hallucinogen.…”

“…3) and its O-methylated derivative, 5-MeO-DMT (5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine), a putative hallucinogen congener of serotonin [9]. It is the active ingredient in West Indian "love stone" and the Chinese medication chan su [10].…”

Cardiotonic activity of Parotoid gland secretion of common Indian Toad Bufo melanostictus on isolated heart of Frog

“…The toad venom especially bufotenin secreted by these glands was subject for mythological, pharmacological and medicinal practices for centuries [11]. The Scientific research has confirmed the presence of bufalin in "Chan Su" a traditional Chinese medicine prepared from dried white secretion of the skin glands of Chinese toad used as a drug for treating heart disorders, heamorrhage of gums, sinusitis and other systemic illnesses [12].…”

NPS: Medical Consequences Associated with Their Intake

“…Bufotenin (also known as cinobufotenine, mappin, N,N-dimethylserotonin, DM5-HT, 5-OH-DMT), a positional isomer of psilocin, is found in the skin of various species of the toad Bufo genus, in mushrooms such as Amanita, in plants such as Anadenanthera peregrina and Piptoderma peregrina [158]. Its psychoactivity is mainly due to its enzymatic conversion to 5-MeO-DMT [159].…”