Ichthyoallyeinotoxism, or
hallucinogenic fish
Several species of fish are claimed to produce hallucinogenic effects when consumed, a condition known as '' ichthyoallyeinotoxism''. For example, '' Sarpa salpa'', a species of sea bream referred to as the "dream-fish", is commonly claimed to ...
inebriation, comes from eating certain species of fish found in several parts of the tropics, the effects of which are reputed to be similar in some aspects to
LSD
Lysergic acid diethylamide, commonly known as LSD (from German ; often referred to as acid or lucy), is a semisynthetic, hallucinogenic compound derived from ergot, known for its powerful psychological effects and serotonergic activity. I ...
. Experiences may include vivid auditory and visual hallucinations. This has given rise to the collective common name "dream fish" for ichthyoallyeinotoxic fish.
The species most commonly claimed to be capable of producing this kind of toxicity include several species from the genus ''
Kyphosus'', including ''Kyphosus fuscus'', ''K. cinerascens'', and ''K. vaigiensis''.
It is unclear whether the toxins are produced by the fish themselves or by marine algae in their diet, but a dietary origin may be more likely.
''
Sarpa salpa'', a species of
bream
Bream (, ) are species of freshwater fish belonging to a variety of genera including '' Abramis'' (e.g., ''A. brama'', the common bream), '' Ballerus'', '' Blicca'', '' Brama'', '' Chilotilapia'', '' Etelis'', '' Lepomis'', '' Gymnocranius'', ...
, can induce
LSD
Lysergic acid diethylamide, commonly known as LSD (from German ; often referred to as acid or lucy), is a semisynthetic, hallucinogenic compound derived from ergot, known for its powerful psychological effects and serotonergic activity. I ...
-like hallucinations if it is eaten. These widely distributed
coastal fish are called "the fish that make dreams" in
Arabic
Arabic (, , or , ) is a Central Semitic languages, Central Semitic language of the Afroasiatic languages, Afroasiatic language family spoken primarily in the Arab world. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) assigns lang ...
. In 2006, two men who ate fish, apparently the ''
Sarpa salpa'' caught in the Mediterranean, were affected by ichthyoallyeinotoxism and experienced hallucinations lasting for several days.
Other hallucinogenic fish are ''
Siganus spinus'', called "the fish that inebriates" in
Reunion Island
Reunion may refer to:
* Class reunion
* Family reunion
Reunion, Réunion, Re-union, Reunions or The Reunion may also refer to:
Places
* Réunion, a French overseas department and island in the Indian Ocean
* Reunion, Commerce City, Colorado, U ...
, and ''
Mulloides flavolineatus'' (formerly ''Mulloidichthys samoensis''), called "the chief of ghosts" in
Hawaii
Hawaii ( ; ) is an island U.S. state, state of the United States, in the Pacific Ocean about southwest of the U.S. mainland. One of the two Non-contiguous United States, non-contiguous U.S. states (along with Alaska), it is the only sta ...
.
See also
*
5-Bromo-DMT
*
Entheogen
Entheogens are psychoactive substances used in spiritual and religious contexts to induce altered states of consciousness. Hallucinogens such as the psilocybin found in so-called "magic" mushrooms have been used in sacred contexts since ancie ...
*
Venomous fish
Venomous fish are species of fish which produce strong mixtures of toxins harmful to humans (called venom) which they deliberately deliver by means of a bite, sting, or stab, resulting in an envenomation. As a contrast, poisonous fish also pr ...
References
{{Poisoning and toxicity
Toxic effect of noxious substances eaten as food
Adverse effects of psychoactive drugs