In recent years, harmful algal blooms have frequently occurred in coastal waters of China. Among the microcystins produced by these blooms, paralytic shellfish toxins (PST) are the most widely distributed and harmful, leading to significant concerns. When marine organisms ingest PST, they are passed up the food chain and accumulate, eventually posing a serious threat to human health, the environment, and the ecosystem.Therefore, this paper primarily introduces the definition, distribution, harm, toxicity mechanism, enrichment, and transformation of PST. It also discusses the methods used to detect PST, including biological, chemical, and biochemical approaches. The paper expounds on research trends and regulatory recommendations for PST. Its aim is to serve as a reference for the improvement of research, detection, and prevention of PST.