Mad Honey and Depression: The Truth Behind the 'Natural Cure'

People in some European countries believe consuming mad honey can help with depression. It’s also known as ‘insane honey’ and ‘crazy honey’ due to its side effects that include hallucinations, delirium, and paranoia. Moreover, a recent study showed the consumption of fructose-rich foods is linked to an increase in depression. This article details all you need to know about mad honey and if it can help with your depression.

What is mad honey?

Mad honey is honey that’s derived from certain types of plants found in Nepal and Turkey. The most common species of flowers that produce mad honey is Rhododendron. The flowers of these plants have spores that are poisonous to humans. The spores remain in the honey and create toxins called grayanotoxins. The concentration of grayanotoxins in honey depends on the flowers’ species, the part of the plant the honey is derived from, and the honey’s production process. Mad honey became very popular recently, so you can order it without any problems.

Can mad honey help with depression?

Mad honey is often promoted as a natural and effective depression treatment. However, there are no studies to support this claim. While there is no evidence that mad honey is beneficial in the treatment of depression, consuming it poses great health risks. There are no data indicating the recommended dosage of mad honey. This means there is no way to predict the extent and type of side effects. The honey is also likely to interact with other medications such as antidepressants, mood stabilizers, and antipsychotics. This poses a high risk as the combination of mad honey with these medications may lead to serious side effects.

How does mad honey help with depression?

There is no evidence that mad honey can treat depression or that it has any medicinal properties. The only way mad honey can possibly help with depression is if it is effective in the treatment of sleep deprivation. Many people with depression experience sleep problems. If a person consumes mad honey before bedtime, it may assist with getting to sleep faster and staying asleep for a longer duration. However, this is a temporary fix as the honey will wear off eventually. It is not a long-term solution for alleviating depression symptoms.

Is mad honey safe to consume?

High amounts of grayanotoxins found in the honey can cause serious psychological and physical damage. The psychological side effects of mad honey include hallucinations, delirium, and paranoia. On the other hand, the physical effects include vomiting, nausea, and diarrhea. The effects depend on the individual as well as the amount of honey consumed. However, it is important to note that the honey never goes bad. This means its effects never subside either. 

Bottom line

Mad honey is not a natural or effective cure for depression. It is associated with some side effects. There is no evidence that consuming mad honey can treat depression. On the other hand, it is an effective treatment for sleep deprivation. The only way mad honey can possibly help with depression is if it is effective in the treatment of sleep deprivation. If you are considering using mad honey as a treatment for depression, you should know that there is no evidence that it works. In fact, consuming mad honey can pose serious health risks.