Editor's Note: This article was originally published in Psychedelic Illuminations number 6, released sometime in 1994. This is the first time this article has appeared online.
Well, by now you've heard the stories. The "trip toad" exists and it's out there waiting for you. However, toad venom can be extremely toxic, even causing paralysis and death in humans (
see attached article). We at PI feel there are a few things you should know before you run out and start randomly stuffing toads in your mouth.
First of all, because a toad's toxins are highly concentrated on the skin's surface, it is the licking that is most dangerous. Smoking the venom, however, is a totally different story. Toad venom only contains trace amount of bufotenine which is burned off while smoking. What's left is a safe, naturally occurring source of 5-Me0-DMT.
So, if you're ready to take the challenge we've compiled the following comprehensive list of toad hunting and venom smoking tips. Happy hunting!
1. Finding the Right Toad
Although there are many toads known to contain indolealkylamine bufotenines,
Bufo alvarius is the only species known to contain an actual hallucinogen, 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyl-tryptamine (5-Me0-DMT) in it's venom. Though 5-Me0-DMT is actually an unscheduled substance, meaning that it's legal to posses (in 1994),
B. alvarius venom also contains trace amounts of bufotenine, which is scheduled (watch out!).
2. Locating Your Toad
The habitat of
B. alvarius is the Southwestern portions of North America. Although it has been found as far North as Central California and Nevada, it's highest population density is along the Colorado River in Southern Arizona, California and Northern Mexico (Sonora).
Since
B. alvarius is semiaquatic, you will most likely find it lurking around streams, riverbeds, irrigation ditches, or livestock watering troughs. As with mushrooms, the best toad hunting is directly after spring rain showers.
3. Stalking Your Toad
Since toads don't generally favor the heat, your best hunting will be in the early evening. Find a cool, moist area and wait until just before sunset. If
B. alvarius is present in any numbers, you will no doubt hear croaking. It will start as a gentle chirp but can grow into a deafening, guttural roar. Now's no time to turn back. The moment of truth is at hand!
4. Identifying Your Toad
B. alvarius is a very large, squat toad with smooth, leathery, greenish-grey skin. The unique markings of
Bufo alvarius include several scattered round warts on the body, as well as 4 large parotid glands found where the hind-leg meets the body, and also above the ear membranes. Adults grow from 4 to 9 inches long with tannish underparts.
5. Handling Your Toad
A full grown, slimy, croaking, wiggling
B. alvarius can easily be more than a handful, so you'll need a bag or a plastic container of some kind to carry it in, preferably something with a little moisture. The toad will excrete venom when nervous so be careful not to rub your eyes, nose, mouth, or other vulnerable mucous membranes after handling the toad. Lightweight gloves are recommended
6. Going in For the Kill
Although the skin of
B. alvarius contains 5-Me0-DMT at a concentration of 50 to l60 mg/g of skin, it is not necessary to kill and skin the toad for your high (see extraction technique). However, there is nothing immoral (although it may be highly disgusting) about pulling a smashed
B. alvarius off the highway and smoking the roadkill's skin.
7. Extraction
To get a smokeable sample of the toad's venom, simply place the toad over a piece of glass, such as a pyrex baking dish, and gently massage the parotid glands behind the eyes. A milky fluid will drop out, or squirt if the toad is nervous WARNING: The toad may also urinate at this time. be careful not to let the fluids mix. Keep a towel handy in case of accidents.
Once you have a nice pool of venom, let it evaporate to a white film then scrape the crystals with a razor blade, If you're bold enough, put 40-60mg (a pinch) in a glass pipe and smoke it. Venom can also be extracted onto parsley, mint, or other smokeable herb.
8. The High
Coming on almost instantly, you will feel a buzzing head-rush and notice a profound change in light and color perceptions. Acute closed-eye visual hallucinations (networks, webs, fractals) are commonly reported. Effects last for five to fifteen minutes, falling off rapidly WARNING: Venom smokers may experi-ence dizziness and/or or heart palpitations. If this occurs, breath slowly and deeply until effect fades.
