Did you know about the hallucinogenic mad honey from Nepal?

The hilly district of Lamjung, located in the Gandaki Province of Nepal, is where Ghale Gaun village is located. Ghale Gaun might be a place you’ve never known before, or let’s just say it is one of the most offbeat and most intriguing of all places in Nepal.

This village gets this status because of a sticky situation – its mad honey or pagal mah as it is locally known.

Mad honey is a type of honey that is harvested from the towering cliffs of Ghale Gaun. Honey collectors climb up more than 800 feet above the ground, with the help of what looks like flimsy ropes and nothing more. Most probably, they are the only ones who can pull this off unscathed.


Why is it called mad honey?



That is because this particular honey is known for its unique properties and effects due to the presence of certain substances in the nectar of specific rhododendron flowers that the honeybees feed on. The nectar of the rhododendron flowers in the region contains grayanotoxins, which are a group of natural neurotoxins. When bees collect the nectar from these flowers and convert it into honey, these toxins are retained in the honey.

Also read: What makes Kathmandu so attractive?

Consuming mad honey in small quantities may have mild psychoactive effects, resulting in feelings of relaxation and euphoria. However, when taken in larger amounts, it can cause more severe symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, vomiting, hallucinations, and in extreme cases, it can lead to heart problems and even death. Consume with care, is what it is in case of mad honey.


Partaking this incredibly unique honey unsupervised is not advisable, and it should not be taken lightly too. Some locals believe that the mad honey is good for certain illnesses, but then, no definitive research has been done on this subject. Due to its hallucinogenic properties, sale and purchase is heavily monitored.