Controversial trend in the US: When toxic toad slime is booming

The slime of the Sonoran desert toad is very popular in the USA. It contains a substance that is highly prized by fans of psychedelic drugs. Scientists fear the toad population is threatened.

Brooke Terrer used to be a teacher in Texas. Today, the 42-year-old heads a spiritual community. “Universal shamans of a new tomorrow” – shamans of a new future – is what the faith community calls itself. Their sacred rituals include consuming the secretions of the Sonoran desert toad.

Toad dung is smoked in the form of crystals

“We are a growing church community and specialize in sacred medicine,” says Brooke Terrer. By sacred medicine she means natural psychedelic drugs, such as the toad venom called “Bufo” which contains the substance 5-MeO-DMT. The toad secretion is smoked in the form of crystals and induces a hallucinogenic high that lasts about half an hour. An indescribable experience, as Terrer recounts:

“The most common comment after consuming ‘Bufo’ is: without words. There is simply no language for it. You connect with the divine. When you experience this first-hand, it can be life-changing.”

Texas shamans are not the only ones experimenting with substances of this type. Natural drugs with psychedelic effects are trending in the United States. Consumers pay between 250 and 8500 dollars for a drug session with the poisonous toad slime.

Scientists concerned about toad species

To get the substance, you have to stroke the toad under the chin until it secretes a milky secretion as a defense reaction. And although this so-called toad milking is not deadly for the animal, some scientists are already worried that the rare toad species could be harmed. Robert Villa of the Tucson Herpetological Society, an amphibian and reptile conservation organization says:

Secretion is also said to help with mental illnesses

The toad lives mainly in the Sonoran Desert in Arizona, spending nine out of twelve months underground. It is also of interest for medicine because, according to studies, its secretion is also said to help with mental illnesses.

“It’s hard to be mindful when you’re so excited about the potential of this toad’s venom. Or when you’re struggling with problems like depression or drug addiction,” Villa said. “Often this substance is seen as a centuries-old medicine or a panacea,” he adds.

“Bufo” is booming

One solution could be to synthetically produce the substance 5-MeO-DMT. However, supporters of natural drugs refuse this. If “Bufo” continues to boom, says amphibian conservationist Villa, the endangered toad species could soon become extinct. “Growing demand is just another strain the species doesn’t need.”