Harvested from the high cliffs of Nepal, Mad honey also known as Khudo or Cliff Honey is nature’s potent psychological healer. The gentle psychedelic properties this honey holds is due to the presence of Grayanotoxin present in it, a compound present in Rhododendron’s nectar. And to a fascinating surprise, Nepal is home to over 30 species of rhododendron that supports the production of this unique honey and the country even calls one of the rhododendron species as its national flower.

Mad honey now used for recreational purposes was once used as a healing potion by the Gurungs of Nepal; the primitive Mad honey hunting group of the region, both in terms of physiological and psychological context. Although the physiological part has been well known and documented very few have explored the psychological advantages and applications.

Even Gurungs wouldn’t have thought that Mad Honey, straight from the wild, a potion of nature, harvested by staking lives, can also be used as a psychological healer. But somehow it worked, Mad Honey blended with psychosis and it treated people with different mental conditions. There have been scientific researches and documentations regarding the psychological healing aura of this rare sweet mystical nectar from the cliffs. Lets explore from where the discovery started, how these Gurungs blended Mad Honey with their culture and practiced this ancient art of psychological healing .

How did Mad Honey become Gurung’s psychological healer?

The Gurungs of Nepal found the Mad Honey hanging on the high cliffs of Nepal, they somehow found a way to harvest this wild nectar and used it as a means to survive. They experienced the natural energy boost from the sugars present, medicinal and therapeutic benefits from the nutrients, minerals and bio-active compounds but Mad Honey was not just limited to this.

Grayanotoxin, the natural neurotoxin which the world fears was used as an element to treat psychological and neurological disorders. The medicinal and spiritual practitioners known as Pachyu in Gurung Shamanism are believed to communicate with spirits and local deities and are often believed to cure illnesses or misfortunes. The Pachyu were reported to have used Mad Honey in small doses during the spiritual healing practices and here is how it worked:

• Altered states of consciousness: Mad Honey containing Grayanotoxin was used to alter the state of consciousness among the Gurungs who had psychological and neurological disorders. The Pachyus were believed to have established a connection to the spirits by bridging humans with the spirit world via chanting, musical drums and objects. Here, the shamans channelled the altered conscious state into the state of trance where the patients were deeply relaxed and focused with heightened sense of awareness. Here, patients with stored negative emotions, trauma were restored with emotional balance while changing negative thought patterns.
  
• Euphoria and relaxation: Controlled doses of Mad Honey along with rhythmic humming and drumming gave patients an experience of euphoria and relaxation. This helped patients create a safe, receptive emotional environment, making it easier to process difficult memories that are painful or emotions that are suppressed for a long period of time. This allowed individuals to experience a different state of mind and break free from past traumas and negative experiences.
• Visual and auditory hallucinations: The Grayanotoxin present in Mad Honey helped patients enter into the state of visual and auditory hallucinations which worked as a therapy in patients with neurological disorders. The combination of Mad Honey along with drumming and chanting reduced mental distress where person’s thinking, feelings or behaviour were not functioning as therapy. When mildly seduced the rhythmic drumming and chanting amplified the sensory effects reversing the sensory impairment at certain levels.
• Psychoactive assisted therapy: Although Mad Honey is like a normal honey except it contains Grayanotoxin that alters perception, mood, cognition and consciousness. It was used carefully in controlled doses for hallucinogenic experiences that helped patients with depression, PTSD and other forms of mental distress by allowing emotional release or gaining new perspective.
  

The Gurung Shamans of Nepal had a proper idea of how the side effects of this Honey can implicate severe health conditions thus they always kept dosage guidelines within the limit. Besides the physiological and psychological use they understood it was used for holistic health as well. Although medical science is actively researching and we do know the active bio compounds of Mad Honey Nepal is highly beneficial for the mind and body, the medication has not been approved by medical science.

Takeaway

With all the properties mentioned above, mad honey hence stands beyond just a curiosity of nature; it’s a psychological mirror. Overall, people from the Himalayas have used it for centuries to reset the mind; helping them to sense euphoria and get that sense of groundedness. The gentle psychedelic effects can equally help today; in limited doses it can be a way for a mindful escape, a nature’s boon in the world where we depend on quick chemical fixes.

Tim Williamson, a psychology graduate from the University of Hertfordshire, has a keen interest in the fields of mental health, wellness, and lifestyle.