New research sheds light on strange properties of adipose fins
publication date: Apr 1, 2008
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author/source: Paul Sharman
Scientists from a Swedish research institute made an interesting discovery while visiting some remote rivers in the north of the country. While collecting samples of anadromous species such as the salmon and sea trout that swim up the rivers there, they noted that the local fishermen after processing their catch would occasionally cut off an adipose fin and place it in their mouth to suck on. They also noted this was particular to the anadromous species and not the local char or trout that were also caught occasionally.
Back in their laboratories, chief field researcher Dr Olaf Prilo who led the collecting expedition made the surprising discovery that the fatty tissues of the adipose fins contained compounds, created during their immersion in saltwater, that were similar to mild hallucinogens. The adipose fins of solely freshwater species did not have the same compounds present in any measurable quantities.
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