Scooch over magic mushrooms, toad venom could be the next big psychedelic for depression and anxiety!

Kissing a frog may not magically turn it into a prince, but doing the same to a toad could probably let you conjure one — at least in your head.

While you may think that it’s common sense that one should not lick a toad, you would be wrong. Toad-licking gives people the same kind of high that smelling permanent markers does, and some people do chase this. While we’re not one to judge, we have to reemphasise first that these practices are dangerous, often life-threatening.

However, paradoxically, the hallucinogenic effect of controlled and prescribed toad venom could potentially be life-saving as well. Lately, researchers have been buzzing about the potential of psychedelics to treat depression, and psilocybin (the stuff in magic mushrooms that induces the feeling of being ‘high’) has been leading the pack.

Now, a new study sets its sights on a psychedelic powerhouse hiding in plain sight — the venom of the Colorado River toad.

This venom contains a relative of Dimethyltryptamine (DMT), a powerful hallucinogenic compound. We already know the toad's venom can trigger intense trips, but scientists are more interested in how these compounds interact with the brain.

A recent study focused on a modified version of 5-MeO-DMT, the psychedelic compound in the venom to see if it could target a specific receptor in the brain, the 5-HT1A receptor. Most psychedelic research has focused on a different receptor (5-HT2A), which is what makes them cause hallucinations. But scientists believe 5-HT1A might be a key player in developing better antidepressants.

So, the researchers tweaked the structure of the toad venom compound to see if they could create a version that targeted the 5-HT1A receptor without the trippy side effects. They tested it in mice alongside existing medications and even LSD. The results were actually promising, with the toad venom compound showing similar antidepressant and anti-anxiety effects without getting the mice high!

This is exciting because it suggests that this venom-derived compound, or something similar, could be a future weapon against depression. However, there's a tiny, toad-sized hurdle: this research is still in its early stages. We don't know if it will work the same way in humans, and if this could be the next big thing on your medicine cabinet shelf.

The findings do pave the way for future research on safer, more targeted medications for mental illnesses like depression. However, this is definitely no green light on toad-licking for a quick mood boost.

The findings of this study have been detailed in Nature and can be accessed here.