Recreational drug use in animals

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For studies on the effects of human-administered psychoactive drugs on animals, see Effect of psychoactive drugs on animals.

Several non-human animal species are said to engage in apparent

psychoactive substances in their environment for pleasure, though claims of such behavior in the wild are often controversial.[1] This is distinct from zoopharmacognosy, in which animals ingest or topically apply non-food substances for their health benefits, as a form of self-medication
.

Alcohol

For alcohol as an energy source or unknown purpose of alcohol consumption, see Effect of psychoactive drugs on animals.

Alcohol dehydrogenase class IV, or ADH4, first appeared in hominoids around 10 million years ago,[2] around the time Homininae diverged into hominins and gorillas.

Chimpanzees

Common chimpanzees have been observed eating overripe breadfruit and sharing it with fellow members of their troop.[3] While the observed fermented fruits contained anywhere from 0.01 to 0.61% ABV, chimps mostly eat fruit; the effect is likely noticeable but not enough to bring them to inebriation, which would put them at greater risk of predation or bodily injury.

Vervet monkeys

Vervet monkey consuming a human beverage (in this case non-alcoholic)

Some

sugar cane juice from local plantations.[4] On Saint Kitts, these monkeys often raid bars and tourist beaches for alcoholic drinks, and become visibly inebriated. The proportions of the monkey population that do not drink, that drink in moderation, and that drink to excess mirror those proportions in humans.[5]

Myths

Elephants

Main article: Urban legends about drugs § Alcohol
According to legend, the fruit of the marula tree is sought by elephants for its alcohol content when ripe.

pupae.[4]

Other intoxicants

Bees

A 2010 study from the University of Haifa reported that bees prefer nectar containing nicotine and caffeine over that without, and suggested that this preference may be part of the reward system driving the mutualistic feeding behavior.[9]

Cats

A domestic cat under the influence of catnip

About 70% of domestic cats are attracted to, and affected by, the plant

Nepeta cataria, also known as catnip. The plant also affects some wild cats, including tigers, though the percentage of these cats affected is unknown. Cats sniff, lick, and sometimes chew the plant, and may rub against it, with their cheeks and whole body, by rolling over it. If cats consume concentrated extract of the plant, they quickly show signs of overexcitement, including violent twitching, profuse salivation, and sexual arousal. The reaction is caused by volatile terpenoids called nepetalactones present in the plant. Although these are mildly toxic and repel insects from the plant, their concentration is too low to poison cats.[10]
: 61–63 

Dolphins

A rough-toothed dolphin

In 1995, the

tingling, and lightheadedness in small doses, while in larger doses it is extremely toxic.[4][11] For these reasons, marine biologist Christie Wilcox has expressed doubt that dolphins dose themselves with the toxin intentionally.[4]

Lemurs

salivate, and then rubbing their saliva and the millipede secretions on their fur. The millipede toxins, including cyanide and benzoquinone, are thought to act primarily as an insect repellent, protecting the lemurs from diseases such as malaria, thus making this behavior a form of zoopharmacognosy. However, the toxins also appear to have a narcotic effect on the lemurs, causing them to enter an apparently blissful state, which may serve as a reward for the behavior.[13][14]

Wallabies

In

wallabies have been reported repeatedly entering commercial poppy fields, consuming the plants, and showing signs of intoxication.[15]

See also

Further reading

References

  1. ^
    S2CID 36629801. Archived
    from the original on March 22, 2023. Retrieved March 22, 2023.
  2. PMID 25453080
    .
  3. doi:10.1016/j.cub.2025.02.067
    .
  4. ^
    BBC Future. Archived
    from the original on March 24, 2023. Retrieved March 22, 2023.
  5. John Downer Productions. BBC Four. Archived
    from the original on March 22, 2023. Retrieved March 22, 2023.
  6. ^ Theys, Michael (October 22, 2021). "Do African animals get drunk from marula fruit? Or is it a myth?". AfricaFreak.com. Archived from the original on April 4, 2023. Retrieved April 4, 2023.
  7. ^ Cooke, Lucy (April 19, 2018). "Do moose (and other animals) eat fermented fruit to get drunk?". Big Think. Archived from the original on April 4, 2023. Retrieved April 4, 2023.
  8. PMID 37854251
    .
  9. S2CID 13382917. Archived
    from the original on April 4, 2023. Retrieved March 23, 2023.
  10. ^
    ISBN 978-1-59477-069-2
    .
  11. ^ a b Umer, Natasha (December 16, 2014). "9 Animals That Get Drunk Or High". BuzzFeed. Archived from the original on April 4, 2023. Retrieved March 22, 2023.
  12. John Downer Productions. BBC One. Archived
    from the original on November 18, 2021. Retrieved March 23, 2023.
  13. John Downer Productions. BBC Four. Archived
    from the original on March 22, 2023. Retrieved March 22, 2023.
  14. ^ Banerji, Urvija (January 29, 2016). "Lemurs Get High on Their Millipede Supply". Atlas Obscura. Archived from the original on March 24, 2023. Retrieved March 22, 2023.
  15. BBC World News. June 25, 2009. Archived
    from the original on March 22, 2023. Retrieved March 22, 2023.
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