If you’ve been to the zoo or ever watched a nature documentary, then you have seen wild animals in action.
Whether its feeding time, playtime, or naptime, these majestic creatures are a sight to behold. While many people mistakenly believe that wild animals are all about survival, like humans, some have their vices including indulging in some intoxicating substances.
Can Animals Get High?
Yes. Just like humans, animals wild and domestic can get both high and drunk. But, because of different physical and genetics makeups, the intoxicating effects of certain drugs for humans may have a drastically different impact on animals. These drug effects can also vary from animal to animal, and some animals that get high use substances that are not usually abused by humans.Wild Animals that Get High on Purpose
We are not talking about your cat getting high off second-hand smoke or a dog having a few too many slurps of beer at a frat party (both of which are not advised). Our Pompano treatment center is talking about high animals out in the wild who are getting buzzed on their own volition. After all, a lot of drugs originate from plant life, so these wild animals can skip the middleman.Christmas Year Round
In Siberia, reindeer are common, but so are magic mushrooms. The Amanita musacria is a mushroom known to cause hallucinations, and some reindeer in the area have been known to seek out the trippy plant. But it’s not just these animals getting high; in fact, there are some old rumors that Santa’s flying reindeer are a result of shamans in the area gifting the magic mushrooms on the winter solstice, and the recipients letting their imagination run a bit wild.1Serious Monkey Business
The Caribbean is known as an exotic get-away destination for humans, but for the vervet monkeys on the island of St. Kitts, its always a party. Living on island time, these monkeys will wait for tourists to leave their alcoholic beverages before swooping in to slurp up the rest of the drink. Some alcoholic monkeys will even steal drinks from unsuspecting sunbathers.2 Somebody get these St. Kitts’ monkeys into alcohol rehab because these drunk animals are out of control.Flying Under the Influence
Tropical bats in Central and South America have a sweet tooth. The winged mammals will eat fermented fruit and nectar as a regular part of their diet and become intoxicated as a result. Some bats will even have a stronger tolerance for alcohol then others. Unlike humans though, these drunk flyers have no problems navigating their way around even while intoxicated.3Trouble Down Under
Reports of wallabies eating farmers’ opium plants on the Australian island of Tasmania made national news in 2009, but this isn’t the only instance of animals getting high off the farmers’ crops. Stories of sheep indulging in the intoxicating plants in the past have surfaced as well. Reports say that high animals will start running around in circles from intoxication before ultimately crashing.4The Forbidden Fruit
A series of stories of animals getting drunk off of the Marula fruit in Africa have spread like wildfire. Videos show a compilation of a variety of animals including several elephants eating the fermented fruit before suddenly appearing wasted. However amusing the stories are of the African animals getting drunk on fermented Marula fruit, scientists say this is actually just a myth.5 While there are several examples of high animals in the wild, this is not one of them.While these stories of high animals are comical as an innocent bystander, addiction is no laughing matter. Humans who let their substance abuse get the best of them can see serious consequences in various aspects of their life.
If you struggle with an addiction to drugs or know someone who does, our IOP in Pompano might be the answer. At Banyan Pompano, we help people with various substance abuse problems regain control over their addictions before it is too late. Drug and alcohol abuse may seem fun and harmless at first, but before many people realize it, their life is spiraling out of control.
To take the first step to quitting or to get more information about how you may be able to help a loved one, call us now at 888-280-4763..
Sources:
- Science Direct-Magic Mushrooms May Explain Santa & His 'Flying' Reindeer
- All That’s Interesting- The Island Of Drunk Monkeys
- National Geographic- "Drunk" Bats Fly Right--Discovery Surprises Scientists
- BBC News-'Stoned wallabies make crop circles'
- National Geographic- Elephants Drunk in the Wild? Scientists Put the Myth to Rest
Alyssa, Director of Digital Marketing
Alyssa is the National Director of Digital Marketing and is responsible for a multitude of integrated campaigns and events in the behavioral health and addictions field. All articles have been written by Alyssa and medically reviewed by our Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Darrin Mangiacarne.
