Deep in the Himalaya Mountains lives a bee that produces what locals call “mad honey.”
Mad, or red honey, is produced by Apis dorsata laboriosa, or Himalayan Cliff Bee. It’s the largest bee in the world and they make an unusual honey.
Apis dorsata makes honey out of Rhododendron flowers. Rhododendron contain grayanotoxins which is poisonous to humans.
Honey made from the poisonous nectar of the Rhododendron is a powerful hallucinogen in humans and has been said to have numerous health benefits.
In small amounts, the honey is relaxing, if a bit intoxicating.
It’s been described as rather pleasant. In larger doses, mad honey can cause Rhododendron poisoning, or honey intoxication, which causes vomiting, muscle weakness, and heart irregularities.
Even though it’s harmful in high doses, locals will go to remarkable lengths to get their hands on said mad honey. Check out this brief documentary.
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