Manoa| A group of scientists associated with the Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology presented a revolutionary new study this morning, which suggests that many fishes and marine animals use psychoactive plants for “recreational purposes”.
The scientists, lead by Professor Nathan Reynolds, were studying the use of toxins as a method of defense by certain types of fish around the Hawaiian archipelago, when they noticed something unexpected.
Most of the fishes and animals eating the various psychoactive plants that they were monitoring, seemed visibly affected by the effects of the stimulants and hallucinogens. Some specimens even showed some major changes in their behavior, which the scientists have interpreted as signs of addiction.
“We were watching a few selected patches of psychoactive plants like the Lukay-lukay, or Caulerpa taxifolia, which is a well-known hallucinogenic algae,” explained Professor Reynolds. “We observed that many of the fishes eating it seemed to undergo a change in the behavior. Some would swim around frenetically or eat compulsively, while others would lie flat at the bottom of the ocean for hours at the time.”
According to the scientists, not only did the fishes show signs of being intoxicated, but they also showed behaviors that are reminiscent of those of many human drug addicts.
“A few specimens of some herbivorous species which are normally not dangerous, like the blue sea chub, showed some very aggressive behavior,” says the scientist. “They would attack each and every fish that approached “their” patch of algae, even their natural predators. This type of action is completely suicidal and goes against their natural instinct of survival, which suggests that they were caused by the drugs.”
While observing some herbivorous fish known to hallucinogenic algae and to concentrate the active substances in their flesh or other body parts to make themselves toxic, Professor Reynolds and his team witnessed many strange behaviors from fishes, turtles and other marine animals, suggesting that they were indeed, using psychoactive plants for recreational purposes.
This is the first time that the use of psychoactive substances is observed underwater, but it is well-known that many species seem to have a natural desire to experience altered states of consciousness.
One such specie is the reindeer, which goes to great lengths to search out the hallucinogenic fly agaric mushroom (Amanita muscaria). Eating the toadstool makes reindeer behave in a drunken fashion, running about aimlessly and making strange noises.
In South America’s rain forests, jaguars have been filmed behaving in a kittenish manner after gnawing the bitter roots and bark of yage (Banisteriopsis caapi), a hallucinogenic vine that is also used by native tribes in ritualistic ceremonies.
The scientists now want to push their research a step further, and attempt to determine if the use of such psychoactive plants by fishes and animals can represent a threat to humans who eat them.