A Dutch man died on the Spanish island of Ibiza at the end of April after ingesting a highly toxic bodily fluid from a toad. This is evident from forensic research by a medical institute, the Guardia Civil confirmed on Friday. The ingested substance, bufotenine, has a hallucinatory effect on humans, comparable to LSD and ayahuasca.
The body of the Dutchman was found on Sunday April 23 in a forest near Cala Llonga, a popular beach resort on the island of Ibiza. The 58-year-old had a house nearby. Because it was unlikely that the man had died of natural causes, the Guardia Civil was called in for a criminal investigation, the Spanish newspaper writes Diary of Ibiza.
Nearly four weeks later, forensic tests indicate that the man’s death was caused by the consumption of a potent poison. This poison comes from the incilius alvarius, better known as the Colorado toad, with its 15 centimeters length one of the largest toads in the world. It is not clear whether the Dutchman deliberately ingested the poison or whether there was a mistake. According to Spanish media, no other persons were involved in the incident.
Drug trail
The Colorado toad is a well-known phenomenon among active users of psychedelic drugs. The animal is also called ‘drug toad’. Through its glands it secretes a powerful poison containing the substance bufotenine. The toad uses this as a means of defense against enemies in South American states and in Mexico.
Anyone who consumes the poison ends up in a ‘trip’ that usually lasts between 15 and 20 minutes. The user experiences a warm feeling and strong visual hallucinations within fifteen seconds. Side effects include nausea and dizziness. An overdose can lead to coma or death.
In the United States, the drug is more popular than in other parts of the world. To protect youth, some states, including Arizona, have enacted an “anti-toad lick” law. In South American countries, the poison is typically used by shamans as a treatment for addictions or mental disorders, including depression, according to the BBC. Scientific evidence for this is lacking.
The toad venom was in the news worldwide in 2020 because of the arrest of the well-known Spanish porn actor Nacho Vidal. He is said to have been involved in the death of a man who died after a ritual in which he inhaled poison from a toad. According to the Public Prosecution Service, Vidal regularly performed rituals with the toad venom. The actor regularly encouraged the use of the substance in videos on YouTube.
Check out our most viewed news videos in the playlist below:
Free unlimited access to Showbytes? Which can!
Log in or create an account and don’t miss a thing of the stars.
Yes, I want free unlimited access
 dies on Ibiza after taking hallucinatory toad venom | Abroad){kind=link}