What Foods Contain Bufotenine and Are They Safe to Eat?

January 3, 2026 •

3 min read

Bufotenine, a psychoactive alkaloid, is not present in any common dietary food items, though it is famously associated with the venom of certain toads. This tryptamine compound is primarily found in specific plants and fungi that are known for their toxic or entheogenic properties, and consuming them carries significant health risks.

Quick Summary

Bufotenine, a psychoactive compound, is naturally present in some non-edible plants like Anadenanthera seeds, certain Amanita mushrooms, and the venom of specific toads. It is not found in regular foods, and ingestion carries severe health dangers.

Key Points

No Common Foods: Bufotenine is not found in any common grocery store food items like bananas or pineapples.
Plant Origins: The compound is present in seeds from the Anadenanthera genus, which were used historically for ceremonial snuff, not for eating.
Toxic Fungi: Certain toxic mushrooms, such as Amanita muscaria and A. citrina, are known to contain bufotenine.
Animal Venom: Bufotenine is also famously secreted in the venom of certain toads, like the Cane Toad, and is highly toxic if ingested.
Serious Health Risks: Consuming substances containing bufotenine can cause severe cardiovascular issues, nausea, and potentially death.
Illegal Status: In many places, including the U.S., bufotenine is a Schedule I controlled substance due to its psychoactive and toxic properties.

Plant Sources Containing Bufotenine

Most known plant sources of bufotenine are not intended for human consumption as food and are primarily of ethnobotanical interest or are outright toxic. Early explorers documented indigenous South American peoples using snuffs made from the seeds of certain trees for ritualistic purposes.

The Anadenanthera Genus

This is one of the most prominent botanical sources of bufotenine. The seeds are not eaten as food but are processed into powders for inhalation.

Anadenanthera colubrina: This tree's seeds, sometimes called 'cebil,' contain bufotenine along with other tryptamines. Historically, they were used to make psychoactive snuff.
Anadenanthera peregrina: The seeds from this tree, known as 'yopo,' are also rich in bufotenine and were traditionally processed into a snuff for rituals.

Other Plant Species

Some other, less common plants have also been identified as containing bufotenine or related compounds, though they are not considered food sources:

Mucuna pruriens: Also known as velvet bean, this legume contains bufotenine alongside L-DOPA and serotonin. It is used medicinally, not as a common food, and contains other potentially irritating compounds.
Urtica pilulifera: A species of stinging nettle.
Brosimum acutifolium: A tree from the Moraceae family, used to make a shamanic potion.

Fungal Sources (Mushrooms) with Bufotenine

Several species of mushrooms from the Amanita genus contain bufotenine. These are not culinary mushrooms and should never be consumed as they are highly toxic.

Notable Amanita Species

Amanita muscaria: The iconic red-and-white 'fly agaric' mushroom contains bufotenine, although it is more known for ibotenic acid and muscimol. It is poisonous and not for human consumption.
Amanita citrina: This mushroom, also known as the 'false death cap,' contains bufotenine and is toxic.
Amanita porphyria: A toxic mushroom known to contain bufotenine.

Animal Sources (Not Food)

Bufotenine was first isolated from the skin of toads of the Bufo genus, which is where its name originates. It is important to emphasize that these are not food items.

The Bufo Genus

Rhinella marina (Cane Toad): The skin and venom of this toad contain bufotenine, among other toxic compounds. There have been fatalities from people mistakenly ingesting these toads.
Incilius alvarius (Colorado River Toad): This toad's venom is also known to contain bufotenine, though its major active component is 5-MeO-DMT.

Important Safety Considerations

Ingesting any substance containing bufotenine, whether plant, animal, or fungus-derived, is extremely dangerous and potentially fatal. The compound can cause severe and unpredictable peripheral serotonergic side effects, including dangerous cardiovascular changes, nausea, and vomiting. In the United States, bufotenine is regulated as a Schedule I controlled substance, making its possession illegal.

Bufotenine Sources: A Comparison


Source Category	Specific Examples	Bufotenine Presence	Consumption Method & Risk	Notes
Plants (Seeds)	Anadenanthera colubrina, A. peregrina	Significant	Processed into snuff; not eaten. High risk of psychoactive and toxic effects.	Historically used in South American rituals.
Plants (Other)	Mucuna pruriens, Brosimum acutifolium	Varies, present	Not typically eaten. Used medicinally or ritually. Significant health risks.	Mucuna pruriens has other active compounds.
Fungi	Amanita muscaria, A. citrina, A. porphyria	Varies, present	Never for culinary use. Highly toxic and poisonous.	These are not magic mushrooms and are dangerous to consume.
Animals (Venom)	Rhinella marina, Incilius alvarius (toads)	Present in venom	Oral ingestion is highly toxic and potentially fatal.	Ingestion via 'toad licking' is a dangerous and illegal activity.
Common Foods	Bananas, pineapples	None	Eaten. Safe to eat.	These foods contain serotonin, a related compound, but not bufotenine.

Conclusion

Bufotenine is a chemical compound found in nature, but the idea that it exists in edible foods is a dangerous misconception. The sources that contain bufotenine—such as the seeds of Anadenanthera trees, specific species of Amanita mushrooms, and the venom of certain toads—are all poisonous or not meant for culinary consumption. The risks associated with consuming these items are severe and can include cardiovascular distress and other toxic effects. For safe and reliable information on foraging and identifying edible plants and fungi, resources like university extension programs or reputable botanical guides are essential. For accurate botanical information on these substances, consult trusted sources like Wikidoc. Bufotenine is a substance of historical and pharmacological interest, but it has no place in the human diet.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, bufotenine is not found in common fruits or vegetables. While some foods contain related compounds like serotonin, bufotenine itself is restricted to specific, often toxic, plants, fungi, and animals.

No, the mushrooms known to contain bufotenine are from the Amanita genus and are toxic or poisonous, not edible. It is extremely dangerous to consume them.

Yes, some species of toads, like the Cane Toad, secrete venom containing bufotenine. Ingesting this venom, such as by licking, is highly toxic and can be fatal.

Ingesting bufotenine can cause serious health problems, including powerful and dangerous cardiovascular effects, severe nausea, vomiting, and anxiety.

The name 'bufotenine' originates from the Bufo genus of toads, in which the compound was first identified in the venom.

Yes, bufotenine is a controlled substance in many countries, including the United States, where it is listed as a Schedule I drug due to its potential for abuse and lack of accepted medical use.

Indigenous cultures in South America used Anadenanthera seeds to produce snuff for ritualistic entheogenic purposes, carefully controlling the process and dosage, not as a food source. This practice carries significant risks and is distinct from casual ingestion.