There was once a type of “mad honey” that caused deadly consequences and was considered the first biological weapon in history.
Not all honey is sweet, fragrant, and nutritious. There was once a type of “mad honey” that had lethal effects and was regarded as the first biological weapon in history.
Hallucinogenic Honey
Mad honey originates from the rhododendron flower in Nepal and Turkey.
Mad honey comes from bees that collect nectar from rhododendron flowers containing a substance called grayanotoxin. It is not sweet and delicious in flavor, but similar to cannabis, it can create a “sweet” sensation in the mind, used as a means to induce euphoria or even enhance performance in the bedroom.
However, it is not without negative side effects, as it can lead to serious issues such as hallucinations, vomiting, impaired consciousness, blurred vision, seizures, and even paralysis.
Some types of honey from rhododendrons containing grayanotoxin can cause severe physiological reactions in humans and animals. Grayanotoxin can lead to gradually decreasing blood pressure and heart rate, and excessive consumption can be fatal.
When warning about its dangers, doctors state that it can cause anything from dizziness, slower heart rates, and hallucinations to paralysis and loss of consciousness. Turkey and Nepal are known for having a large number of rhododendron flowers containing grayanotoxin, which is why mad honey is prevalent in these regions.
A painting depicting ancient warriors disoriented after consuming mad honey.
Biological Weapon
Many may not realize, but this type of honey has existed for thousands of years.
One of the earliest accounts of mad honey in historical records comes from Xenophon of Athens, a student of Socrates, as well as a historian, warrior, and Greek mercenary. Xenophon wrote that in 401 BC, an army he commanded was returning home along the Black Sea coast after defeating the Persians.
When nearing Trabzon (in Northeast Turkey), the soldiers shared some local honey they had stolen from nearby beehives. A few hours later, they began to vomit, had diarrhea, lost their sense of direction, and could no longer stand. By the next day, the side effects gradually faded, and the army continued their journey back to Greece.
Another incident occurred in 67 BC when the Romans, led by Pompey the Great, were pursuing the Persian army near the Black Sea. The Persians, aware of the potent effects of mad honey, deliberately scattered jars of delicious honey for the Roman soldiers to find easily.
Attracted by this enticing food, the Roman soldiers could not resist and ended up consuming it, losing their sense of direction and becoming unable to fight. The Persian army then returned and killed more than 1,000 soldiers who were poisoned.
In 946 AD, Queen Olga of Kiev and her allies tricked 5,000 Russian men into drinking a concoction made with mad honey. When they fell into a stupor, the Kiev army killed all the delirious men and gained the upper hand in the battle.
In 1489, Ivan the Great and his soldiers followed Queen Olga’s example, employing a similar ruse against the Tatar soldiers. They left barrels of honey-infused alcohol for the enemy to drink. After the men began experiencing hallucinations, Ivan’s troops entered and slaughtered the enemy.
From the 16th to the 18th centuries, mad honey was quite popular in Europe and many other places. Europeans often mixed it with alcohol to enhance the effect and achieve a quicker high.
In the 18th century, New Jersey experienced a phase of using grayanotoxin to produce toxic honey. However, it was not as potent as mad honey, as this grayanotoxin came from mountain laurel, not rhododendrons.
Due to its ability to induce euphoria and hallucinations, some individuals use it as a means to “get high,” even for sexual purposes as a substitute for Viagra. According to the Royal Society of Chemistry, “mad honey is primarily used by middle-aged men to enhance their sexual performance.”
Currently, mad honey is also used for medicinal purposes. Some people prescribe it to lower blood pressure or to provide energy to those experiencing exhaustion due to illness.
However, it is not well-known to many around the world, and due to its high cost and potential dangerous side effects, it is not a popular commodity.
Mad honey is often found at higher elevations, such as on mountains and cliffs, making the search for it a significant challenge. Beekeepers often risk their lives going to unsafe locations to find natural beehives to harvest, process, and sell mad honey at high prices. To produce stronger mad honey, beekeepers must limit their bees to an area that only has rhododendron flowers.
