─ Cliff Mad Honey Index
Science &
Toxicology
Understanding Grayanotoxins — the chemistry, pharmacology, and clinical science behind mad honey's effects.
Welcome to the scientific core of the Cliff Mad Honey Index. This section publishes in-depth, evidence-based content on grayanotoxins — the unique compounds responsible for mad honey's distinctive effects. Our goal is to be the leading reference for researchers, medical professionals, and curious minds seeking to understand the complex pharmacology and toxicology of this fascinating substance.
All Articles
Mad Honey on the ECG: Bradycardia, AV Block, and What Clinicians See
Grayanotoxin poisoning is, above all, a cardiac conduction problem. The compound holds cardiac voltage-gated sodium channels open, amplifies vagal tone,…
Grayanotoxin LD50: Lethal Dose Data, Route Effects, and What Animal Studies Cannot Tell You About Human Risk
The LD50, lethal dose 50 percent, is the amount of a substance required to kill 50 percent of a test…
Mad Honey Cardiovascular Effects: Bradycardia, AV Block, and Hypotension Explained
Medical disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes. It is not medical advice. Anyone experiencing bradycardia, inability to stand, or…
Molecular Mechanism of Mad Honey: Grayanotoxins and Site 2 Sodium Channel Pharmacology
Voltage-gated sodium channels (VGSCs) are the primary molecular targets of grayanotoxins. Understanding grayanotoxin pharmacology requires a foundational understanding of VGSC…
The Mad Honey Toxidrome: A Systems-Level Look at Cardiovascular and Neurological Effects
The physiological impact of mad honey is not confined to a single organ system. Grayanotoxins, by virtue of their action…
Grayanotoxins: Chemistry, Structure, and the Toxic Legacy of Ericaceae Plants
Grayanotoxins are a class of diterpenoid polyols — naturally occurring organic compounds characterised by a tetracyclic diterpene carbon skeleton bearing…
How Grayanotoxin Levels Are Measured in Mad Honey: What a 2022 LC-MS/MS Study Found About Batch Variation
Mad honey is often discussed as if it were one chemically stable product. This paper shows why that is misleading.…
