
With the legalization of cannabis in many places, it's a question that's been asked more often: can turtles get high? The short answer is yes, turtles can get high, as they have the same brain structures as humans that allow us to feel the effects of marijuana. However, there is little evidence or research to prove that this actually happens in the wild. While it's a fun thought that sea turtles might be getting stoned off jellyfish, this is simply a myth.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Can turtles get high? | Yes, turtles have the same brain structures as humans that allow us to feel the impacts of marijuana. |
How can turtles get high? | Turtles can get high from THC, the psychoactive component of marijuana, which binds to CB1 and CB2 receptors in their bodies. Turtles can also get high from eating certain types of jellyfish, although there is no evidence to support this claim. |
What are the effects of turtles getting high? | The effects of turtles getting high may not be visible, and they may not act strangely. However, if you are familiar with your turtle's behavior, you may notice subtle differences. |
Is it harmful to smoke around turtles? | Smoking around turtles is not recommended as it can release harmful chemicals and cause long-lasting consequences such as cancer. Turtles have sensitive respiratory systems and are more susceptible to the effects of smoke due to their smaller lungs. |
What You'll Learn
Turtles have CB1 and CB2 receptors, which are impacted by THC
Turtles have cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2, which are also found in birds, mammals, fish, and reptiles. These receptors are impacted by THC, the psychoactive component of marijuana, which binds to them and can cause a high. THC can stimulate the release of dopamine in the brain, resulting in a feeling of pleasure. The impact of THC can be felt anywhere from ten to thirty minutes after consumption and can last for up to three hours.
While it has not been proven that turtles can get high, they have the same brain structures as humans that allow us to feel the effects of marijuana. This includes the CB1 and CB2 receptors, which are responsible for the euphoria and other signs of marijuana intoxication that humans experience when consuming THC.
The presence of these receptors means that turtles have the potential to get high based on their basic anatomy. However, there is a lack of evidence and studies to conclusively prove that turtles can get high. This may be because there are relatively few cases of marijuana toxicity in animals other than dogs and cats, which are more sensitive to THC than humans.
While the internet rumor that turtles can get high from eating jellyfish has been debunked by experts, the presence of CB1 and CB2 receptors in turtles means that they are potentially susceptible to the effects of THC if exposed to it. Therefore, it is important to keep marijuana products away from pet turtles and to avoid smoking or vaping around them, as secondhand marijuana smoke contains similar harmful toxins to tobacco smoke.
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Turtles can get high from marijuana smoke
Turtles have cannabinoid receptors in their bodies, which allow them to be affected by THC, the psychoactive component of marijuana. THC binds to CB1 and CB2 receptors in their brains, producing euphoria and other signs of intoxication. While there is no conclusive evidence, turtles are likely to get high from marijuana smoke as they have the same brain structures as humans that allow us to feel the impacts of marijuana.
Turtles can get high from inhaling second-hand marijuana smoke or ingesting marijuana. It is important to note that exposing turtles to marijuana smoke is harmful to them as they have sensitive respiratory systems and they have much smaller lungs than humans. Inhaling second-hand smoke can also cause long-lasting effects such as cancer. Additionally, ingesting marijuana can be harmful to turtles and may cause depression, a slow heart rate, vomiting, and trouble walking.
Natural hallucinogens
Turtles can also get high from natural hallucinogens such as the poisonous jellyfish that they eat. Green Sea Turtles are one of the few animals that can eat these jellyfish and their stomachs transform the harmful poison into something more pleasant, creating a sensation similar to being high. However, this is not the same as getting high from marijuana smoke as the chemical composition of the jellyfish does not contain the psychoactive component THC.
Owner responsibility
If you own a turtle, it is important to keep them away from marijuana smoke and other sources of THC to ensure their health and well-being. While turtles may be able to get high, there is limited research on how weed and THC affect reptiles, and it is unknown how it will impact their long-term health. Therefore, it is best to avoid exposing turtles to any potential toxins and keep them in a safe and healthy environment.
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Turtles cannot get high from eating jellyfish
Monty Graham, a jellyfish expert and director of the Florida Institute of Oceanography at the University of South Florida, explained that jellyfish do not contain the properties of marijuana that allow the drug's users to become intoxicated. David Godfrey, executive director of the Sea Turtle Conservancy, agreed, stating that in his 30 years of working with sea turtles, he has never heard of this notion and believes it is not based in reality.
While it is true that turtles have the same brain receptors as humans that allow us to feel the impacts of marijuana, there is no evidence or studies that prove turtles can get high. Part of the reason for this lack of evidence may be the rarity of marijuana toxicity cases in animals other than dogs and cats.
Therefore, it is safe to say that turtles cannot get high from eating jellyfish, and such claims are simply online rumours or misinformation.
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The effects of hallucinogens on turtles are not visible
It is important to note that while turtles have the anatomical potential to get high, there is no conclusive evidence that they do in the wild or that they seek out such substances intentionally. The effects of hallucinogens on turtles are not visible, and even if they were exposed to such substances, it is unlikely that their behavior would change noticeably.
Turtles have cannabinoid receptors 1 and 2, which means they are susceptible to the effects of THC, the psychoactive component of marijuana. However, the impact of THC on turtles is not well understood because turtles are not very communicative animals. They cannot tell us if they are feeling high, and the effects may be too subtle for us to observe.
Some people speculate that sea turtles get high from eating jellyfish, but this is just a myth. Jellyfish do not contain the psychotropic properties that would cause turtles to become intoxicated. In fact, one of the seven sea turtle species, the leatherback, primarily eats jellyfish, and it would not be advantageous for their main food source to impair them.
While turtles may have the potential to get high, it is important to be a responsible pet owner and ensure that your turtle is never exposed to THC or other hallucinogens. The effects of these substances on turtles are not fully understood, and it is better to err on the side of caution.
Additionally, secondhand smoke from marijuana can be harmful to turtles, as it can contain similar toxins to tobacco smoke and increase the levels of THC in their blood. It is recommended that people do not smoke in the same room as their pet turtles and ensure that any marijuana products are kept out of their reach.
In conclusion, while turtles may have the anatomical ability to get high, the effects of hallucinogens on turtles are not visible, and it is important to keep them away from such substances for their health and well-being.
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Turtles have sensitive respiratory systems
Turtles have small lungs compared to humans, and their respiratory systems are more sensitive. Therefore, it is important to supply turtles with a well-ventilated and filtered aquarium to maintain a healthy balance of oxygen, carbon dioxide, and other airborne particles.
It is recommended that people who own turtles do not smoke in the same room as the animals. If you are going to smoke near your turtle, ensure that the room is well-ventilated to prevent your turtle from inhaling the smoke.
Additionally, if you have handled marijuana and are going to handle your turtle, it is important to wash your hands first to avoid accidentally exposing your turtle to THC. It is also crucial to keep any marijuana products out of your turtle's reach to prevent accidental ingestion.
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Frequently asked questions
Turtles can get high, as they have the same brain structures as humans that allow us to feel the impacts of marijuana. However, there is no conclusive evidence that wild turtles get high or how they do it.
No, this is just a myth. Jellyfish venom does not contain compounds that produce a state of "being high".
Yes, it is harmful to smoke around turtles. Secondhand smoke is known to cause harmful effects on animals and people. It is best to keep marijuana smoke away from turtles.