An unusual call from national parks in the US: Do not lick the skin of psychedelic frogs

The US National Parks Administration issued an unusual invitation to visitors - not to lick the skin of Sonoran Desert frogs, known for their psychedelic poison.

This approximately 18-centimeter frog is one of the largest in the US, is olive green in color, or brown with patterns, and secretes toxic substances with hallucinogenic effects.

The warning states that visitors can get sick if they touch the frog or swallow its poison.

"As with most species you encounter in a national park, whether it's a slug, an unknown mushroom or a large frog with glow-in-the-dark eyes, refrain from licking them," the warning added.

The U.S. National Park Service has not reported the number of people fond of licking the skin of frogs living in northern Mexico and the southwestern United States, but the practice appears in some animated television series such as "The Simpsons."

To defend themselves from predators, these frogs secrete the substance "5-MeO-DMT", called the "god molecule", which is a hallucinogenic psychotropic.

Some public figures, such as boxing champion Mike Tyson, have previously mentioned the use of the substance for therapeutic, recreational, even spiritual purposes.

The experience usually lasts from 15 to 30 minutes and is considered very intense.

However, scientists say that this poison can be dangerous for humans.