The Romans are said to have ingested fish brains that caused hallucinations

History shows us the Romans as brilliant and organised warriors who managed to control a vast territory. They were accomplished and skilled in arms, no doubt about it. But more specific stories tell of how they made their hard lives more comfortable. And with what else but drugs. Yes, you read that correctly.

Imagine what the life of an ancient Roman might have been like. All-day marches, gruelling exercise and then fighting, regardless of the blazing sun and other climatic conditions. No wonder they sought an escape from reality. At this point, substances enter the scene that could provide temporary relief and ease their burdened minds. And, in fact, a form of entertainment.

Nowadays, when you say the phrase narcotics, you probably think of terms like marijuana and various stronger chemicals. But the Romans were cunning and practical. They certainly didn’t ‘cook hard drugs’ in some cauldron in a camp, they were much more pragmatic and turned to nature. Specifically to the depths of the seas and oceans. According to historical sources, they had access to opium and various hallucinogenic plants. But we’re going to focus on something less likely.

The fish of dreams, or rather hallucinations.

There are various stories about a fish called the orca, Sarpa salpa in Latin, otherwise known as the dream fish. It is said to be a hallucinogenic fish because it causes hallucinations and similar intoxicating states. This species of fish survives in the Mediterranean Sea, also near Hawaii and other Polynesian islands in the Pacific Ocean. It is also mentioned in the Indian and Atlantic Oceans.

Various sources over the centuries claim that the ancient Romans may have been aware of the effects of this fish and used its brain in particular. Although it is inconspicuous to the eye, it can cause strong hallucinations when eaten. The Romans are said to have used it for entertainment.

Scientists do confirm these effects, but they are not sure why the hallucinations occur. The phenomenon even has a specific name: ichthyoallyeinotoxism. It seems that the Sarpa salpa bream harbours substances that are considered toxic. A 2012 study suggests that the cause could be the phytoplankton that this fish eats, which may be releasing toxins.

How did the Romans feel after eating the fish?

Today, it is hard to find references to how the Romans might have felt after eating the fish. But one thing is certain. They had some pretty “wild” moments as their hallucinations could get out of hand. There are much younger testimonies about what state eating a bream induces and why the Romans were so ‘crazy’ as to willingly cause themselves to hallucinate.

An example is the story of a man in his forties who ate the fish while on holiday in Cannes in 1994. He suddenly felt nauseous and muscularly weak. But the worst was yet to come. He heard aggressive and roaring animals, even saw a giant arthropod moving around his car. After being hospitalized in the hospital, he recovered within 36 hours.

Another man experienced a similar situation: ‘A 90-year-old and previously healthy man had auditory hallucinations 2 hours after eating. He had numerous nightmares over the next two nights and recovered spontaneously after 3 days,” the expert articlestates.

A photographer working for National Geographic, Joe Roberts, did not believe the effects were so strong. So he decided to try the fish on himself to find out why the Romans found a liking for it and if the aforementioned gentlemen were exaggerating. He later reported that the hallucinations were not so vivid and he was generally pleased with the experience. Perhaps the Romans were having an equally positive experience and therefore had a fondness for fish brains.

Risk is gain…or is it?

Well, if you’re going to have fish in coastal areas, first check what you’re actually consuming. Because you might find a giant earthworm trying to eat you, or you might mistake your hands for wings and try to overcome gravity. The Romans weren’t worried about this, but you’d better keep your head down, even though this “drug” is quite accessible.