Stoners of the Animal Kingdom | Lindsay Nikole
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Dolphins pass around a puffer fish like it’s a blunt. Reindeer dig through snow, fighting over hallucinogenic mushrooms. Bats hit blood alcohol levels three times the legal limit… and fly perfectly fine. Vervet monkeys steal cocktails and develop actual drinking problems. Bees get exiled from the hive for coming home drunk. And deep in the Amazon, jaguars chew on the same vine used in ayahuasca. Turns out getting high isn’t a human invention it might be written into nature itself. Kick back and find out just how far down the rabbit hole goes.
#LindsayNikole #animals #dolphins #reindeer #monkeys
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ABOUT LINDSAY NIKOLE
Join zoologist Lindsay Nikole for vivid stories about evolution, animal behavior, and the wonderfully weird life around (and before) us. Each video dives into creatures you’ve never met and facts you’ll never forget, blending science with humor, visuals, and memorable explanations. From viral mystery IDs and prehistoric deep dives to myth-busting and conservation context, this channel makes complex biology easy and exciting to understand.
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Chapters
00:00 Welcome to the Wild World of Animal Drugs
02:18 The Hidden Purpose Of “Magic Mushrooms”
07:23 “Dolphins” Getting High on Puffer Fish
10:33 “Reindeer” and Fly Agaric Mushrooms
12:14 “Bats” Getting Drunk on Fermented Fruit
15:32 “Vervet Monkeys” and Stolen Cocktails
16:28 “Honeybees” Exiled for Coming Home Drunk
17:55 “Cats” and the Science of Catnip
19:40 “Jaguars” Chewing on the Yagé Vine
| Lindsay Nikole
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrc2iv2-G1FZ3VscM3zu2jg
@LindsayNikole
July 27, 2026 at 2:54 pm
Use code LINDSAYNIKOLEFB50 to get 50% OFF your first Factor box plus free breakfast for 1 year at https://bit.ly/4f6EKp3
@noctier9385
July 27, 2026 at 2:54 pm
Don't rats have thumbs?
@Gottabackitup
July 27, 2026 at 2:54 pm
You should be on tooth and claw podcast go talk to them they are so fun love wes mike and jeff
@UrResidentGhost
July 27, 2026 at 2:54 pm
I repeatedly, intentionally interact with my cart. pen to get high so I should be on the list.
@Ominous_Odyssey
July 27, 2026 at 2:54 pm
The smilo skull not being in the center of the pillow hurts my soul.
@inkredublebulk
July 27, 2026 at 2:54 pm
WILD UNHEARD OF LEVELS OF KUSH
@eliorossetto55
July 27, 2026 at 2:54 pm
Loud bad music ruining videos.
@joanfregapane8683
July 27, 2026 at 2:54 pm
Loved seeing your kitty! Oh, and the video was very interesting as well!
@vixxcelacea2778
July 27, 2026 at 2:54 pm
I would like to give one semi flip side over perspective on the whole anthropomorphizing thing.
While I do agree that it's super important to not do until sufficient evidence shows that the motive is what we initially interpret. For instance, my cat legitimately snorts when he's frustrated, bored or displeased. Pretty similar to when a human would make a similar noise. Given the brain chemistry and social structure of cats coupled with just individual idiosyncrasy, I feel decently confident in saying he snorts for the reasons I suspect. However, I know that when my cat falls from trying to climb, they are not embarrassed and they do not understand shame. They have no use for it. All they know is when I'm displeased with a behavior they may have done is that I am not happy about something they are doing. Sometimes they are aware that what they are doing is the association of what makes me displeased, but do it anyway because their brain calculates that the benefit of doing the thing outweighs me being upset. Perfectly normal living organism math to do that.
That said, humans are not that unique. While attributing very specific responses unique to highly social creatures onto creatures with totally different sturctures is not a good thing, our motivations are pretty damn calculable too. If getting high or changing neurochemistry causes feel good responses that don't override survival ones, then I don't see why it would be a unique thing to seek out substances that allow for that response.
Every creature does stuff that feels good. Usually via evolutionary backing of reinforcement. The specific motivation of which may or may not be conscious, hence the anthropomorphization part of contention, but I'd lean more to dolphins, given what we know about their complex social structure and self-awareness levels, they very likely are motivated by "I prick myself with spiny fish I get the fun weird feelings. Lets do that more."
Where as a cat gets high on catnip because it's a more automated response. Though I see no reason why they also wouldn't seek it out. However, for them, given them being colony animals and not pack oriented, I don't know if it would be more of a social event. A cat who finds catnip probably isn't off to go tell its buddies about it, but simply enjoy the moment. Whereas a dolphin or elephant I can definitely see wanting to share the experience because of evolutionary backing to promote positive experiences with others leading to stronger bonds and more there for better chances of survival.
Side note: I adore kitties. I'm in no way disparaging cats for saying they are colony creatures rather than pack oriented with highly complex social structures. More "simplicity" and automated responses doesn't mean a creature is lesser in anyway. I will talk all day about the zillions of things humans do on auto pilot that we ignore for our protection to our own egos and sense of autonomy to be left in tact. All things develop based on whatever their evolutionary pressures were and humans are no exception. It's all luck of the draw and all life has value.
@joanfregapane8683
July 27, 2026 at 2:54 pm
My blood pressure medicine is helpful, but I don’t get particularly happy…
@TomBombadillow
July 27, 2026 at 2:54 pm
Don't be lazy. Make your own food and support your local stores!
@captaincrash8822
July 27, 2026 at 2:54 pm
Do you also nervous fidget with the pen while it's in your pocket lmao
@LorenzooRobinson
July 27, 2026 at 2:54 pm
Ima just say it goddamn she is tatted tf fuck up one on her legs had too hurt
@xrustyart
July 27, 2026 at 2:54 pm
A comment for the algorithmmm!! Push this woman to more people please!
@brodybecker5905
July 27, 2026 at 2:54 pm
Thanks for keeping my company. ❤
@joetrident
July 27, 2026 at 2:54 pm
What about the myth of elephants getting drunk on fermented fruits? I heard there was a documentary purposely giving stuff to the animals just to film them like that
@a._.Ell.y
July 27, 2026 at 2:54 pm
I’ve seen all three thumbnails now, still think the dolphins one is the funniest
@Starr_Trekker
July 27, 2026 at 2:54 pm
No lemurs? 😢
@gabrielbelanger3720
July 27, 2026 at 2:54 pm
fuuuuck its 8h30 am on a monday, guess i gotta be apart of the ambiance…. o the tragic life i lead.
@themr_wilson
July 27, 2026 at 2:54 pm
Good morning. Good morning, if you catch my meaning. No way this was the third video on my fyp when I loaded YouTube <3
No jokes to put aside, who earnestly wants to hang out with Lindsay? F**k she's cool.
@corro202
July 27, 2026 at 2:54 pm
Great video.
@Ramacat66
July 27, 2026 at 2:54 pm
No palm civets getting drunk from fermenting toddy palm fruits? The are so funny! But you need to be there at the right time of the year. I
ve seen in Myanmar, went looking a couple times in Thailand, but few people grow toddy palms now. Sri Lanka is supposed to be a good place too, but we've always been there at the wrong time of the year. People here in Thailand and Mon from Myanmar will tell you about elephants going after fermented fruits, like toddy, jack fruit, and others that if uncollected can naturally ferment in the heat. But I've never seen a drunk elephant… wonder if they turn pink?
@VAVampyre
July 27, 2026 at 2:54 pm
Oh my god, I’m high! Perfect timing 🤙😎
@sirbadass1234
July 27, 2026 at 2:54 pm
67 million years ago, that means dinosaurs got high
@robinkelly1770
July 27, 2026 at 2:54 pm
I must admit I am a little disappointed that you didn't mention the original stoner – the koala – which decided that it liked being stoned so much that it ate eucalypt leaves exclusively. These leaves not only induce altered mental states but are also highly toxic so you must actively develop a tolerance. Further their nutritional value is so low so you need to sleep 18 hours a day to conserve energy. These leaves are so low in nutrients that their brain has atrophied to the point of being totally smooth. A truly dedicated stoner…
@nastynate1028
July 27, 2026 at 2:54 pm
First time i got high was from modeling glue at around 10. Stayed up all night painting and assembling a model car n my airtight bedroom, got caught n a time warp, and when i finished and got up from my desk it was dawn, outta nowhere… crazy shit
@jorrgealvarez2064
July 27, 2026 at 2:54 pm
I love your video 👍bro
@davedyer2951
July 27, 2026 at 2:54 pm
Klepto maniacs… 14:43
@krazygrandad
July 27, 2026 at 2:54 pm
I don't actually recall myself not giggling at any point during this upload. Sick job Linsay! Keep killin' it dude! 😂
@JesusMartinez-rr2ry
July 27, 2026 at 2:54 pm
Hearing Lindsay Nicole ramble about reindeer getting high on mushrooms is the perfect way to spend Christmas in July
@seelie-seb
July 27, 2026 at 2:54 pm
@awakenbake you'll love this
@Silinirob
July 27, 2026 at 2:54 pm
Lindsay has been my go-to high watch for the last few months. Once I watched all of her vids, I moved onto oceanlady and casual geographic. Great video for today, as I am currently doped up at the end of my night on my birthday. Perfect video for the occasion
@bringerebrethil6176
July 27, 2026 at 2:54 pm
There is a story of an entire area having dead birds everywhere and turned out they ate fermented berries that turned to alcohol in their gut and ended them.
@craigyoung8008
July 27, 2026 at 2:54 pm
One that I've heard of is pretty cool is elephants.
I don't know to what extent it has been researched, so of course it could simply be urban legend.
But in Southern Africa there's a native fruit tree called Marula.
The fruit falls to the ground, and ferments.
Elephants are claimed to deliberately eat large quantities of the fruit in order to get drunk.
The Marula fruit is used to make a well-known South African liqueur called Amarula.
And unsurprisingly its manufacturers are more than happy to promote the legend.
@MaxBuckhold
July 27, 2026 at 2:54 pm
i LOVE being in the stoned zoned bestie, me and you let’s go. got me and my snacks ready
@ColonelZoren
July 27, 2026 at 2:54 pm
Now, this is why i pay my internet.
Comments are closed.