People In Arizona Are Licking Toxic Toads To Try To Get High

There's been some rain in Arizona, so some rare toads have been coming out. And people are LICKING THEM to try to get high.

Recent rainfall across Phoenix has led to an unexpected rise in toads and mushrooms, prompting poison control officials to warn residents about potential health risks to both humans and pets.

Dangerous Toads Emerging After the Rain

The Banner Poison Control and Drug Information Center reports that Sonoran Desert toads — also known as Colorado River toads — are being spotted more frequently after the storms. These large amphibians excrete a potent neurotoxin containing 5-MeO-DMT, a psychoactive compound also found in ayahuasca. The toxin can be deadly if ingested or even licked.

Officials say some people have attempted to lick the toads in hopes of experiencing a hallucinogenic high, but doing so can lead to serious illness or death.

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Pet Owners Urged to Act Quickly

Grey Stafford, a zoologist whose German Shepherd survived an encounter with one of the toads, said quick action is critical. “The first thing I would do is take a garden hose and flush their tongue and get to an emergency room right away,” Stafford said. “The key thing is you want to keep their body temperature from spiking cause that could lead to seizure or death, and so quick rinse of the tongue, work that tongue, get that slime off.”

Mushrooms Also Pose Hidden Dangers

Alongside the toads, mushrooms have begun sprouting in parks and yards across the Valley. Poison control officials warn that it’s nearly impossible to distinguish safe mushrooms from toxic ones. They advise residents not to touch or eat any found outdoors, as some varieties can cause severe stomach problems.

For questions or emergencies involving toxic toads or mushrooms, contact the Banner Poison Control and Drug Information Center at (800) 222-1222.