The Amazing Story of Honey Hunters in Nepal

Nepal is home to a rare and mystical variety of honey that has been sought after for centuries by locals and foreigners alike. This honey, known as mad honey, contains a natural psychoactive substance called grayanotoxins that can induce hallucinations, euphoria, and other effects when consumed in moderate doses.

Mad honey is produced by the world’s largest honey bees, Apis dorsata laboriosa, which feed on the nectar of rhododendron flowers that grow abundantly in the Himalayan region. These flowers contain grayanotoxin, which is transferred to the honey and gives it its distinctive reddish color and bitter taste.

The only way to harvest this precious honey is by climbing up steep cliffs where the bees build their massive hives. This is a dangerous and ancient tradition that has been passed down for generations among the Gurung people of Nepal. They use rope ladders, bamboo poles, and baskets to reach the hives and collect the honeycombs while avoiding the angry swarms of bees.

The honey hunters sell some of their harvest to local markets and traders who export it to other countries. They also use it for medicinal and spiritual purposes, such as treating coughs, wounds, infections, and hypertension. Some also consume it as a recreational drug or aphrodisiac.

Mad honey is a unique product of nature that reflects the culture and history of Nepal. It is a testament to the courage and skill of the honey hunters who risk their lives for this sweet reward.

But what really distinguishes mad honey are its physiological effects. In lower doses, mad honey causes dizziness, lightheadedness, and euphoria. Higher doses can cause hallucinations, vomiting, loss of consciousness, seizures, and even death.

The strange effects of mad honey have captivated people near the Black Sea for millennia. One of the oldest accounts comes from 401 BCE, when Greek soldiers were marching through the Turkish town of Trebizond and ate some wild honey they found along the way. They soon experienced confusion, weakness, and numbness, and were unable to stand up or fight.

In more recent times, mad honey has been used as a weapon of war, a political tool, and a source of income. During World War I, the Russians reportedly poisoned some wells with mad honey to incapacitate Ottoman soldiers.4 In 1991, a group of Turkish politicians fell ill after eating some mad honey-laced baklava sent by an anonymous sender.5 And today, some people pay up to $80 per kilogram for this rare delicacy, while others use it as an alternative medicine or a psychedelic substance.

Mad honey is not for everyone, and its consumption should be done with caution and moderation. It can have serious side effects on blood pressure, heart rate, nervous system, liver, kidney, stomach, skin, eyes, ears, and brain. It can also interact with other drugs or medications. Some people may be allergic to mad honey or its components. And some countries may have legal restrictions on importing or possessing mad honey.

However, for those who are curious about this ancient elixir, mad honey can offer a unique experience that connects them with nature, culture, and history. It can also provide some health benefits when used properly and responsibly. Mad honey is one of nature’s wonders that deserves respect and appreciation.