Why Do Some Bees Produce Hallucinogenic Honey?

Plants and Animals





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The Himalayan cliff honeybee has been known to produce "mad honey." L. Shyamal via Wikimedia Commons

For a short period each spring, bees in certain parts of the world add a little extra ingredient to their honey, giving it a trippy twist. By gathering nectar from the rhododendrons that come into bloom at this time of year, they infuse their sugary produce with certain toxins that cause a range of interesting effects when ingested by humans.