Education

Raving Mad About Mad Honey

Name: Carolina Hemp Hut
Price range: $

Richard Sniffen
February 15, 2025

We’re All Mad Here

Alright, buckle up. We’re diving into one of the strangest natural products you may not know about—but definitely should: mad honey. This isn’t some wild experiment from a reality TV show. It’s a mind-bending sweet treat harvested from the rugged mountains of Nepal and Turkey. It’s not just about grabbing a jar; you need mountain goat-level skills to get your hands on it. So what’s the deal with mad honey? Let’s find out.

What Is Mad Honey?

Mad honey isn’t your average honey. The key difference? It contains grayanotoxins, a sneaky compound responsible for its mind-altering effects. In the spring, busy bees (Apis laboriosa, the world’s largest honey bee) buzz around brightly colored rhododendron flowers. These flowers pack a toxic punch in their nectar. The bees don’t mind, though. They break down the nectar and create something special.

As the honey ferments in the hive, it loses water and concentrates the toxins. The result? A honey that doesn’t just taste sweet—it can make you feel like you’re floating or questioning reality. More on that later. Just know this: it’s not your typical tea sweetener.

Why Should You Care About Mad Honey?

You might be thinking, “Why would anyone want toxic honey?” Good question. In some parts of the world, mad honey has been cherished for centuries. People have used it to treat high blood pressure, diabetes, and even for fun. It’s been around for over 2,500 years, playing a role in both medicine and recreation.

Today, thanks to the internet, you don’t have to climb mountains to get it. Online sellers ship it straight to your door. But before you hit ‘buy now,’ let’s take a closer look at what mad honey actually does.

The Origins of Mad Honey

Mad honey isn’t new. Ancient Greeks documented its effects. In 401 BCE, Xenophon, a Greek philosopher, recorded how Athenian soldiers ate some and experienced what can only be described as a bad trip. They could barely move, some vomited, and all were incapacitated until it wore off.

Fast forward to today, and people still experience similar effects (minus the vomiting, hopefully). Mad honey hasn’t hit mainstream popularity yet, but it has dedicated fans.

How Is it Made?

Mad honey doesn’t grow on trees. It’s produced by bees that feed on rhododendron flowers. The more rhododendron nectar, the more potent the honey. Harvesting it isn’t for the faint of heart.

In Nepal, gatherers climb steep cliffs using ropes and ladders to reach the hives. The bees, understandably protective, don’t welcome visitors. Harvesters use smoke to chase them away before collecting the honey. It’s risky, intense, and downright crazy—but it’s also a vital source of income for rural communities.

What Does Mad Honey Do?

Here’s where it gets interesting. Mad honey messes with sodium ion channels in your body. Grayanotoxins bind to these channels, preventing them from closing. This causes calcium to flood your cells, triggering a spike in acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter.

Acetylcholine controls muscle function and perception. So, mad honey can lower blood pressure, create a calming effect, and even produce psychedelic-like experiences. In Nepal, it’s long been used for medicinal purposes. Some studies suggest it may help stabilize glucose levels.

However, grayanotoxin levels vary between batches. Some people get a mild buzz. Others have less pleasant experiences.

What Are the Risks?

Let’s be clear: mad honey isn’t just another sweetener. Grayanotoxins are real toxins. Effects range from mild dizziness to vomiting, seizures, and even temporary paralysis. A blue-tinged complexion? That’s not a spa treatment—it’s a warning sign of toxicity.

Most people experience mild to moderate effects, but if you’re unprepared, it can be unpleasant. Start small if you’re a first-timer. The last thing you want is to end up on the floor, regretting your life choices.

What’s the Experience Like?

You’ve got your mad honey. Now what? First, don’t expect it to taste like the honey in your pantry. It’s earthy and bitter. Mix it with warm water or milk, and then wait.

Effects usually kick in within 30 minutes, though it can take longer. Most people feel deeply relaxed, as if they’re melting into their chair. Some experience mild disorientation or light hallucinations, but nothing extreme. Many compare it to a cannabis high. However, because it contains toxins, the experience isn’t always predictable.

Buying Mad Honey: Is It Worth It?

Alright, let’s talk about getting your hands on some mad honey. If you’re thinking about buying it, it’s pretty easy to find online—Amazon, Etsy, small independent stores. You can expect to pay anywhere between $6 to $50 per ounce, depending on the quality. And here’s the thing: you often get what you pay for. If you go for the cheap stuff, you might just feel a tiny buzz or none at all. But if you shell out for the real deal, you might just experience the full mind-altering effects.

That said, it’s important to be aware of the legality of mad honey in your area. In most places, it’s legal to buy and consume, but countries like South Korea, Australia, and Brazil have banned it. So, before you start ordering jars of this exotic treat, do a little homework on the laws where you live.

You Have Options

Now let’s say you don’t want to deal with the honey but want the “Mad” experience, well luckily there are now these delightful little edibles of Mad Honey by Dosed that come in a gummy variety flavored with Strawberries and Pineapples and they won’t break the bank. These gummies take the guess work out of how much is too much as they are properly dosed at 1100mg of a proprietary blend per gummy in a pack of two. Now don’t assume that just because the mad honey is in gummy form that it won’t be potent, the packaging itself says not for the inexperienced user. After trying it myself and a fellow peer we can say that at a single gummy you will likely experience a calm, chill body high and sense of mild intoxication that you would get from drinking a few beers. Two gummies will likely send you down the rabbit hole so if you do try this product do so with caution.

Final Thoughts on Mad Honey

Mad honey is like that mysterious character in a movie who seems cool at first but may have a few tricks up their sleeve. It’s intriguing, a little dangerous, and not something to dive into without a bit of caution. But, if you’re ready to try something new and you’re okay with the possibility of a wild ride, it could be the adventure you didn’t know you were looking for.

Remember: Whether you’re after the medicinal benefits or just curious about the hallucinogenic side, it’s essential to approach mad honey with respect and caution. And if you decide to give it a go, at least now you know what you’re getting into!

References: Mad honey: uses, intoxicating/poisoning effects, diagnosis, and treatment – RSC Advances (RSC Publishing) DOI:10.1039/C8RA01924J

(PDF) Mad honey: Uses, intoxicating/poisoning effects, diagnosis, and treatment

Richard Sniffen

Richard moved from Texas recently to join the family business in Hemp. He has researched terpenes and cannabinoids extensively and uses the acquired knowledge to provide meaningful insight to more opportunities for natural healing. He's the General Manager of the Durham Carolina Hemp Hut store and a cannabis product group Manager.

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