The psychoactive effects of the secretions of different varieties of toads have been known for centuries. Bufo alvarius is a semi-aquatic amphibian that lives in the sonoran desert of mexico.
Their cutaneous glands contain more than a dozen tryptamine compounds, including bufotenin and 5-MeO-DMT (5-methoxy-dimethyltryptamine), but do not contain DMT (N,N-Dimethyltryptamine), the active principle present in ayahuasca.
Bufotenin and 5-MeO-DMT are two powerful psychedelic substances.
The Bufo alvarius toad, whose correct name is Incilius alvarius, is native to the American continent. It can be found in the southern part of the Arizona desert in the USA and throughout most of the Sonoran desert in Mexico, even reaching Guamúchil, Sinaloa. It’s also known as the Colorado River toad, because it inhabits the areas surrounding this river in lower California, New Mexico, Mexico and southern Arizona.
It is found mostly in the lower parts of the Sonoran desert, at altitudes ranging from sea level to 1600 m. In addition to the desert, B. alvarius inhabits pastures and oak forests, where it hides in rodent burrows.
As a nocturnal toad, during most of the months from September to April it stays underground in a state of hibernation.
During the breeding season, which coincides with the rainy season, it becomes very active, especially at night, and hundreds of toads roam the desert.
Bufo alvarius have large parotid glands that secrete a viscous, milky-colored substance. It is this venom that contains psychoactive alkaloids.
EfFects
During the breeding season, which coincides with the rainy season, it becomes very active, especially at night, and hundreds of toads roam the desert.
When smoked/vaporized, 5-MeO-DMT presents immediate and short effects, usually less than 20 minutes in duration, although of an often unexpected and overwhelming intensity.
When the vapors of 5-MeO-DMT are inhaled, the effects are established within a few seconds and their appearance is sudden and unexpected.The maximum effects begin in less than 1 minute and last for about 5-15 minutes. Users often describe the appearance and plateau of the effects as extremely intense. Afterwards the effects disappear quickly, after about 5-15 minutes, although most people feel residual effects for up to an hour after having smoked the substance.
Experience with B. alvarius venom is usually very immersive, and produces an extreme variation in perception. Many people describe sensations of cosmic unity, of access to non-dual consciousness and deep spiritual experiences. Some people have compared it to the experience of dying and accessing states similar to those described in Buddhist and Hindu traditions such as Nirvana or Tathāgata, beyond the beyond. The loss of a sense of identity and dissolution of the ego is common, as well as oceanic sensations of merging with everything.
