‘Mad honey’ that can stop your heart is now being sold online worldwide

Mad honey is a type of wild honey produced by the Himalayan cliff bee, Apis laboriosa, which lives in the high Himalayas at altitudes up to 13,000 feet (4,000 meters).

This honey contains a natural toxin called grayanotoxin, which comes from the rhododendron flowers the bees collect nectar from.

The toxin is concentrated in the honey, making it potentially dangerous for humans.

Eating a small amount, about a teaspoon, may cause mild effects like warmth or light-headedness, but consuming more can lead to severe health issues, including a dangerously slow heart rate and collapsing blood pressure.

The name 'mad honey' comes from these hallucinogenic and toxic effects.

Historically, indigenous Gurung people of Nepal have harvested this honey safely for centuries, but modern knowledge of safe consumption is now being lost as the honey is sold internationally.