How to Check Authenticity of Mad Honey

Mad Honey, also known as cliff honey, is renowned for its psychedelic properties and has been used for centuries by the locals of Nepal. Our Mad Honey is collected from giant beehives mainly from the cliffs of Lamjung, Nepal. This psychoactive honey is harvested  during spring season. The rarest and most potent harvests are supplied in limited quantities each year. Primarily known for its grayanotoxin properties, Mad Honey interacts with the nervous system, leading to a range of psychoactive effects.

How to Identify Authentic Mad Honey

Although there is no definitive procedure to test the authenticity of Mad Honey at home, there are several factors you can consider before making a purchase to avoid adulterated or fake products:

1. Search Reputable Sources

The beehives for Mad Honey are primarily found on cliffs and dense forests in specific regions where rhododendron plants grow. These regions include parts of Nepal, Brazil, Turkey, and the areas around the Black Sea. If the honey claims to be Mad Honey but originates from a different location, it is likely not genuine.

2. Laboratory Testing

For certainty about authenticity, laboratory testing is the most effective method. You can send samples to a reliable lab for analysis. This typically involves extracting and purifying the grayanotoxins from the honey using techniques such as liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). However, testing each batch is expensive and time-consuming, making it impossible to verify authenticity at every level.

There are other purity tests that can be done such as Sugar Analysis, Nitrosamines Analysis, Antibiotic Residue, Herbicides etc.

Read more about the Honey Analysis

3. Reliable Sellers

Ensure you're purchasing from reputable sources with a proven track record of selling genuine Mad Honey. Check reviews and recommendations from experienced buyers to increase your chances of receiving authentic Mad Honey.

4. Price

Mad Honey is more expensive than regular honey due to its rarity and the risks involved in harvesting it. If you find Mad Honey being sold at unusually low prices, it’s a red flag that the product may not be genuine.

5. Color, Consistency, and Flavor

Genuine Mad Honey tends to have a darker amber color compared to regular honey. Its consistency is often thicker and denser, and it has a distinctive bitter, tangy, and slightly metallic aftertaste due to the concentration of grayanotoxins.

6. Toxicity Levels

Mad Honey contains natural neurotoxins from rhododendron plants, leading to hallucinogenic effects when consumed in sufficient quantities. Authentic Mad Honey can induce moderate symptoms of toxicity in large amounts, so it’s crucial to consume it with caution.

Note: While laboratory testing is the most reliable way to verify the authenticity of Mad Honey, it is not always accessible or affordable. The other factors mentioned above can also help you make an informed decision when purchasing.