These Salmon Got High on Cocaine. That Wasn’t the Craziest Part.
The New York Times • • world
Key Points:
- In 2022, environmental toxicologist Jack Brand conducted an experiment by loading Swedish fish with cocaine to study the impact of pollution from illegal drugs on wild salmon.
- The research was motivated by a rise in waterways contaminated with cocaine, raising concerns about how fish are affected by such pollutants.
- Published in Current Biology, the study found that salmon exposed to cocaine swim faster and cover greater distances than those not exposed.
- The findings highlight potential ecological consequences of human drug use on freshwater fish behavior and ecosystems.
- Dr. Brand faced challenges obtaining permission from local authorities to carry out the cocaine dosing experiment.
