<p>In 1983 patients began presenting with sudden onset Parkinsonian symptoms after using a new designer drug. Dr. Langston eventually was able to link the cases to exposure to the contaminant MPTP, and the future of Parkinson’s research was forever changed as a result.</p>

In 1983 patients began presenting with sudden onset Parkinsonian symptoms after using a new designer drug. Dr. Langston eventually was able to link the cases to exposure to the contaminant MPTP, and the future of Parkinson’s research was forever changed as a result.

The Frozen Addicts

Toxic History! is a narrative medicine lecture series where medical experts tell you stories from the history of poison. Human beings have known about poison – substances that harm and even kill– for thousands of years. Poisons have been seen as mysterious, supernatural, and enigmatic. What are these plants, mixtures, and elements with such powerful properties? It is only in the past century that science has begun to demystify these chemicals and explain how they work. Still, the impact they have on the world – from cultish mass suicides to chemical attacks to a single case of homicide – can be profound. Toxic History! explores the impact on society, culture, and science behind poisonous events in history.

Share The Frozen Addicts

Sign up to save your podcasts

The Frozen Addicts

The Frozen Addicts

More shows like Toxic History!

Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!

Radiolab

This American Life

Emergency Medicine Cases

The Skeptics Guide to Emergency Medicine

Truth & Justice with Bob Ruff

Hidden Brain

The Daily

Up First from NPR

Tox in Ten

EMS 20/20

The Poison Lab

Everything Everywhere Daily

The Ezra Klein Show

Pick Your Poison