Are there any species on Earth that get high more than we do?

I doubt that there are any species that practice being in an “altered state” more than humans, since it tends to be detrimental to survival.

I know that many species of birds, squirrels, even occasionally deer and bears will get drunk on fermented fruit.

We also have a plant called filmy angelica that gets bees drunk each season.

Huh. Apparently there’s a book by David Linden “The Compass Of Pleasure” which explores rampant drug use in the animal kingdom.

No.

I seriously doubt it. Human beings are the only animals smart enough to destroy themselves in numerous ways.

Cedar waxwings are fruit eaters; often in the autumn they choose the ones that are slightly fermented.

If you’re lucky enough to have a siting, you’ll see them lolling about the branches, looking very much like Uncle Patrick after too much beer and football.

Waxwings are known for their gluttonous and garrulous habits.

“Ever heard about waxwings getting drunk by eating fermented fruit? Well, it is true that folks sometimes find waxwings passed out under a berry bush. Some authorities believe that the alcohol in the berries cause this problem. However, other authorities insist that the birds gobble up so many berries that their stuffed stomachs make it impossible for them to breathe causing them to faint.” Source

My intermediate school had vast amounts of pyracantha between each class room wing. When the berries got “ripe” the birds would gorge on the berries, then start flying into windows and buildings.

I second @zenvelo ‘s report on pyracantha berry drunkenness. Robins and cedar waxwings in particular, indulge unwisely and very noisily.

koala bears and their eucaluptus…they pass out and fall from trees.

Similarly to @zenvelo‘s story, we once had a bird who repeatedly flew full-force into one particular window of our house over a period of several months (he even left “bird prints” on the window), and I have always wondered if it might have had something to do with a berry bush that we have in our front yard.
One day he just disappeared. I imagine he probably knocked himself out…poor guy.

Also, some species of monkeys have a reputation for literally stealing and drinking alcohol to get drunk.

@syz Fascinating. How does a drunken bee behave?

@marinelife The long answers are more interesting, but the short answer may be correct and is definitely to the point. Thanks.

@digitalimpression True, but we’re also smart enough to make YouTube videos of the mayhem, and have them go viral. It’s just unfortunate that we haven’t yet figured out how to survive self destruction so we can be here to enjoy the success of our viral video.

@gailcalled I have seen cedar waxwings in just such a state, and my vote is with the alcohol in fermented beries being the culprit. I can see full bellies making them lethargic and causing fainting, but not the staggering walk of “Uncle Patrick after too much beer and football.”

@zenvelo, @Sunny2 & @Fly There you go. One more reason to believe it’s fermented berries, not full bellies.

@jazmina88 OK, I think we have a winner. Way back when I remember seeing a Nature Channel program showing just that. I do believe koala bears get blotto better than the average human.

@ETpro @jazmina88 Unfortunately, the idea that koalas get high off of the eucalyptus leaves is only a myth.

@Fly Thanks for the enlightenment. And flunk on the TV producers who bought the myth rather than fact checking.

I looked around for a few minutes not expecting to find much, but there does seem to be quite a bit of stuff out there. Here is a link for you to a book on Amazon. The title is “Intoxication: The Universal Drive for Mind-Altering Substances.” The description says that it is “a scientific and cultural exploration of the pursuit of altered states of consciousness in both humans and animals.” I have not read it, so I can’t say if it is any good. It is rated five stars with five reviews. Link is here:

http://www.amazon.com/Intoxication-Universal-Drive-Mind-Altering-Substances/dp/1594770697

You asked about animals, rather than humans, but are you aware of the theory (usually regarded as “fringe”) that we evolved to become humans because we ate “magic” mushrooms? I mention this because, at that stage in our evolution, we were certainly animals.

The title of the YouTube video is “Terence McKenna – mushrooms and evolution.” Link is here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KsZbxRzWYLc

You may not agree, but it is entertaining. He was a good speaker.

@Cridaria Welcome to Fluther, and thanks for a fascinating answer. Great Answer award richly deserved. I’m not a professional mycologist, but I developed enough of a taste for morels,
chantralles”:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chanterelle and truffles that I learned how to make spore prints and definitively identify a particular fungi to make sure it is the edible or psychedelic variety, and not a killer.

I’d love to think that Magic Mushrooms set us on our evolutionary spiral to human and not just hominid intelligence. And I don’t think Terence McKenna is full of baloney. His ideas aren’t proved, but they aren’t stupid either.

You are very welcome. It was a good question. I agree that McKenna is interesting. I am going to check out more of his stuff.