Mike Tyson's Confession, Almost Died While Trying Poison Frogs

Mike Tyson (Instagram @miketyson)

JAKARTA - Mike Tyson's admission that the use of frog poison as a psychedelic drug almost killed him actually made interest in the substance explode. What is frog poison?

The practice of smoking poison frogs is a relatively new phenomenon. At a Miami conference called Wonderland, Tyson discussed how he nearly died while under the influence of a poison frog.

"In my travels I have seen that death is beautiful, life and death should both be beautiful, but death has a bad reputation," Tyson said.

"The frogs have taught me that I won't be here forever. There is an expiration date," he continued.

Frog venom is a fast-acting psychedelic substance that usually begins to persist after just five minutes of smoking.

Alan Davis, who researches drugs for Johns Hopkins School of Medicine's Behavioral Pharmacology Research United, describes the effects of frog venom.

"The experience will start in 10-30 seconds and then you will be physically paralyzed for 20 to 30 minutes," Davis told Johns Hopkins Magazine.

Other studies suggest that poison frogs have a high mortality rate, often leading to mental health problems and heart attacks.

The National Poison Center explains that Bufo frog secretions can cause severe irritation and pain, with further problem tissue damage.

With this being said, the substance is considered a poison in the United States and can be fatal, although further testing may be necessary.

Tyson himself has suggested that using poison frogs makes him more creative. Meanwhile, many other users claim the substance gives them a psychedelic effect.

There is no definite medical use of frog poison, although it is often circulated at ceremonies in certain communities in the hope of evoking a religious experience.