Man dies after ingesting toad venom aphrodisiac

The New York City Health Department released an alert on Wednesday about a dangerous toad venom aphrodisiac after a man died from ingesting the substance.

piedra-jamaicaThe aphrodisiac, commonly known as “stone,” is a chemical composition that is banned by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. It goes by many names, the Health Department said in a statement, including “Piedra China, Jamaican Stone, Love Stone, Black Stone or China Rock.” The agency says a 39-year-old man died last week after taking the composition. A local hospital alerted the New York City Poison Control Center of the death.

The stone substance is hard, dark brown, and sold as a solid chunk, the Health Department reports. “The product is sold in some adult stores and can also be found in other neighborhood stores. Its active ingredients include several chemicals known as bufadienolides,” according to an agency statement. “They are derived from toad venom and some trees and can disrupt the normal rhythm of the heart.” Stone can also cause vomiting and chest and abdominal pain.

The CDC has described bufadienolides as naturally occurring cardioactive steroids that have effects similar to digoxin, a medication used to treat heart failure.

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About Douglas Powell

A former professor of food safety and the publisher of barfblog.com, Powell is passionate about food, has five daughters, and is an OK goaltender in pickup hockey. Download Doug’s CV here. Dr. Douglas Powell editor, barfblog.com retired professor, food safety 3/289 Annerley Rd Annerley, Queensland 4103 dpowell29@gmail.com 61478222221 I am based in Brisbane, Australia, 15 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time