Pufferfish produce a potent neurotoxin called tetrodotoxin, which they use as a defense mechanism against predators. According to some researchers, the toxin may induce a “trance-like state” in dolphins, which they appear to enjoy. While it is not entirely clear whether the toxin produced by pufferfish has a psychoactive or psychedelic effect on dolphins, it is evident that it can significantly alter the dolphins’ behavior and raises fascinating questions about the nature of dolphin consciousness and the ways in which they interact with their environment.

Footage from the BBC documentary series “Spy in the Pod” shows dolphins playing with pufferfish and exhibiting unusual behavior, such as gently nudging the pufferfish with their noses or tossing them in the air. The dolphins appear to be very careful not to consume too much of the toxin, which can be deadly in high doses, but they do seem to seek out the mild intoxicating effect that the toxin produces.