Overview
- German outlets report the U.S.-linked practice appearing in Germany around Halloween, with authorities and scientists urging the public not to attempt it.
- Toxicologists caution that unpredictable doses of bufotoxins can trigger severe complications such as heart rhythm disturbances and, in extreme cases, cardiac arrest.
- Reports cite fatalities abroad, including cases in the United States and Uruguay, underscoring the risk from potent species targeted for an LSD‑like high.
- The Colorado toad’s white nuchal secretion is identified as particularly dangerous, while native European toads are unlikely to produce euphoria yet can still cause irritation and harm.
- Ulm scientist Holger Barth notes that trade and possession of such toads are not covered by Germany’s narcotics law, prompting calls for public‑health and conservation awareness rather than experimentation.