Part Two: Animals
In a two-part blog series ¹û¶³ÊÓƵ research scientist Anya Ermakova explores the history of indigenous use of 5-MeO-DMT, the psychedelic agent that is the focus of our lead research programme. In part one she looked at plants containing 5-MeO-DMT; this blog focuses on animals and, in particular, the Sonoran Desert Toad, where the compound occurs naturally.
Endogenous 5-MeO-DMT has been discovered (in very tiny quantities) in humans and rats, although its biological function, if any, is unknown. Yet it is the Sonoran Desert toad that has the highest concentration of any species in the animal kingdom – their gland secretions contain potent toxins that can kill animals that try to eat them.
The toad’s venom contains 15% to 30% 5-MeO-DMT, the exact quantity varying between individual animals. Collecting gland secretions from one toad yields on average 0.25-0.50g of
