The Poisoncast

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Welcome to The Poisoncast, a podcast dedicated to explaining the deadly science behind toxins, venoms & chemicals. Travel deep inside the human body and learn just how these fascinating and dangerous molecules can kill you.

Scott Barnett, Ph.D.


    • Mar 24, 2019 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 30m AVG DURATION
    • 15 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from The Poisoncast

    Poison Control Center - The Poisoncast #13

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 24, 2019 44:51


    Visit webPOISONCONTROL(r) at https://www.webpoisoncontrol.org/ or the National Capital Poison Center at https://www.poison.org/

    POISONCAST UPDATE

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 18, 2018 2:13


    Where has the podcast gone? Find out with this quick update!

    Strychnine - The Poisoncast #12

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 30, 2017 33:42


    On this episode of The Poisoncast learn how strychnine causes death. Unknown to most people, this toxin has historically been used as both a poison and a therapeutic. Learn why.

    VX Nerve Agent - The Poisoncast #11

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 14, 2017 30:19


    On this episode of The Poisoncast learn how VX nerve agent kills you. It involves acetylcholine and it does not dissapoint on the terrifying scale.

    Death Cap Mushroom - The Poisoncast #10

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 26, 2017 17:32


    On this episode of The Poisoncast learn what makes the Death Cap mushroom (Amanita phalloides) arguably the deadliest of mushrooms. Travel inside the liver with us to see how the diabolical toxin takes you down.

    Poison Oak - The Poisoncast #09

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 15, 2016 31:02


    On this episode of The Poisoncast learn how Urushiol, the active ingredient in poison oak, poison ivy, and poison sumac, injures you. It's unlike any toxin we've discussed thus far, and you'll love it!

    Western Diamondback Rattlesnake - The Poisoncast #08

    Play Episode Listen Later May 14, 2015 38:38


    On this episode of The Poisoncast learn about Cortalus Artox, or the Western Diamondback Rattlesnake. This snake is responsible for biting more people than any other in the United States. Get the low down on how this dangerous creature can kill you.

    Mustard Gas - The Poisoncast #07

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 26, 2015 36:48


    On this episode of The Poisoncast learn about Mustard Gas. Gaining notoriety for its use in WWI, mustard gas was so effective and terrifying that its use was banned in warfare in 1925. Not only does it cause severe repertory distress and horrific skin blistering, but it is also a carcinogenic

    Botulinum Toxin (Botox®) - The Poisoncast #06

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 14, 2015 39:17


    On this episode of The Poisoncast learn how the world’s most deadly toxin, botulinum toxin from the bacteria Clostridium botulinum, is also surprisingly versatile.

    Puffer Fish - The Poisoncast #05

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 8, 2015 33:23


    On this episode of The Poisoncast learn how an otherwise adorable and innocent looking animal, the puffer fish (or fugu in Japanese) can kill you with one of the world's most deadly poisons, tetrodotoxin.

    Ricin - The Poisoncast #04

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 23, 2015 33:22


    On this episode of The Poisoncast learn how ricin, one of the most toxic chemicals on the planet, can kill you. You may remember it from Breaking Bad, or the Ricin Letters, or even Georgi Markov, but there is so much more to be learned about this fascinating toxin.

    Hemlock - The Poisoncast #03

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 14, 2015 35:26


    On this episode of The Poisoncast learn how the poison Hemlock can kill you. While Socrates may Hemlock famous, this old timey poison is fascinating and it may just be one of the nastier and insidious poisons we've discussed to date.

    Cyanide - The Poisoncast #02

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 7, 2015 34:51


    "On this episode of The Poisoncast learn how the deadly poison cyanide kills you. Governments and individuals have used it for over a century to quickly kill people and it is the chemical equivalent of drowning without water. Join us as we learn the science about this fascinating chemical. "

    Black Mamba - The Poisoncast #01

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 11, 2015 29:52


    On this episode of The Poisoncast learn just how Black Mamba venom kills you. We travel deep inside the body and discuss the science behind dendrotoxins and how they interact with the neurons in your brain.

    Start Here - The Poisoncast #00

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 1, 2015 9:47


    On this episode of The Poisoncast learn what the podcast is about and get a primer on the science of poisons and toxins

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