Ridiculous History CLASSIC: Waging War With Hallucinogenic Honey
Nov 9, 2023
The podcast explores the fascinating world of honey and its use as a weapon in warfare, including the historical massacres involving hallucinogenic mead. It also delves into the medicinal uses of hallucinogenic honey, the unique lifestyle of gurong people in Nepal, and the legal status of the honey in Turkey. The hosts wrap up the episode with some ads and promotions.
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Toxic Chemistry Behind Mad Honey
- Mad honey contains grayanotoxins from rhododendron nectar that can intoxicate or kill depending on dose.
- Its toxicity peaks in spring when rhododendrons bloom, making dose highly variable and dangerous.
Xenophon’s Army Overcome By Honey
- Xenophon's army in 401 B.C. gorged on wild mad honey and became incapacitated for days.
- The soldiers collapsed delirious, leaving them vulnerable to attack and effectively 'wasted' as a fighting force.
Pompey’s Troops Trapped With Honey
- In 67 BCE, Mithridates' forces laid mad honey along Roman paths, causing vomiting, hallucinations, and dizziness.
- The intoxicated Romans became easy prey, illustrating deliberate wartime use of the honey.