The Poisoner's Almanac

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Hello Poison Friends! Welcome to our talk on prions and prion diseases. I feel I cannot do this topic justice by just telling you about the terrifying and thankfully rare diseases caused by infectious proteins. So we are going to talk about what a prion is, how humans discovered them, and how scientists and medical professionals identified what they were (relatively recently in fact).

This episode specifically deals with Scrapie, a prion disease found in sheep and Familial Fatal Insomnia, a hereditary disease found in humans (though, it may be sporadic in even rarer cases). Both of this fatal illnesses have been around at least a few centuries by now, but were often so rare they were not thought much of or misdiagnosed and forgotten about. Forgotten about until humans got greedy for more and better sheep in the case of Scrapie; for humans, until descendants of "cursed" families began to see familiar and terrifying symptoms popping up all around them, possibly for their own future as well. Imagine an illness that stops you from sleeping until you die. It slowly ravages your body, your mind, and leaves those around you either afraid or distant as they shun you entirely.

Let us discuss prions, where they come from, the diseases they cause, and how they cause them. Sweet Dreams, Poison Friends.

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If you’re struggling, consider therapy with our sponsor. Visit 

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If you have questions about the brand relating to how the therapists are credentialed, their privacy policy, or therapist compensation, here is an overview written by the YouTube creators behind the channel Cinema Therapy that goes into these topics: 

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Hey Poison Friends! I know we have covered some toxic ghost towns before but there are just too many out there not to bring the subject back up! If you haven't seen the last Toxic Ghost Towns episode, definitely check it out! This time around I chose to discuss a place close to home in South Carolina. "Becca, I though y'all lived in Georgia!" We do, but right next to the Savannah river which connects us to South Carolina. So this is close to us as well. There was once a town called Ellenton, until the 1950s when the government decided it was the perfect place for a new nuclear site. The Savannah River Site was first created to produce materials for nuclear weapons and during its planning, the entire town of Ellenton as well as other nearby communities were forced out with a bit of compensation for their property as determined by the government. New Ellenton was created, where some of the residents would resettle, but they would never forget their old town and how it was basically taken from them, Ellenton has its own dirty history, steeped in racist politics and violence, however, and I could not help but dig into that before discussing the toxic materials left behind when SRS switched roles from nuclear weapons products to research and environmental concerns.

We also discuss what was supposed to be a wealthy resort town funded by a newspaper, Times Beach, Missouri. The timing was off during this development nearign the Great Depression, and the town was mainly one of rural and low income housing. It didn't help matters that the location itself was a flood plain. These were not the reasons for the town being evacuated, however and the story of how it became toxic is also one to be learned from.

Lastly we travel to Mailuu-Suu in Kyrgyzstan, where multiple uranium and heavy metals dump sites were left. Between the early 1940s-late 1960s, the soviet union mined uranium in mines there using forced labor for much of the time. Once it became less economical, they just left the poorly constructed tailings dams and uranium rock piles sitting there in the open. This area in particular sits on the hillside above the village Mailuu-Suu (currently populated with about 25,000 people). Since this time mutliple earthquakes, landslides, and heavy rainfall even have caused dams to fail and uranium to fall into the river below, contaminating the water, fish, crops, and ultimately the people living there. Illness and cancer rates have increased significantly here and education about avoiding the worst contaminated areas and clean-up of the site is slow going. I mentioned many sites, because along the entire country there are about 92 radioactive mining waste sites in total.

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If you’re struggling, consider therapy with our sponsor. Visit 

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If you have questions about the brand relating to how the therapists are credentialed, their privacy policy, or therapist compensation, here is an overview written by the YouTube creators behind the channel Cinema Therapy that goes into these topics: 

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Hey there Poison Friends! And Happy Mother's Day to all of our awesome moms out there! We need to talk about what is in the water. Mainly pools, hot tubs, rivers, creeks, lakes, oceans...okay, so all of it. I am specifically bringing to your attention the many icky microbes that can infect you if you are not careful to prevent them while swimming and while on vacation. Many of these (campylobacter, E. coli, Giardia, etc) simply cause gastrointestinal illness...though these can be deadly in severe cases especially those younger than five years of age, the elderly, and those with compromised immunity. There are other's however that can cause deadly pneumonia in just the right circumstances and necrotizing fasciitis and sepsis. People have lost limbs thanks to such microbes as Vibrio and other horrid bacteria lurking in these aquatic environments. Lastly, I want to talk about one of my greatest fears but also one of my favorite topics to discuss: Naegleria fowleri...the brain eating amoeba. This nasty little amoebas, if allowed, can make their way up the nose, and all the way into the brain where they will quickly start eating away and destroying tissue. It is usually always fatal and only a handful of people around the world have survived. Like Vibrio, this is thankfully a rare occurrence. Still, I would avoid getting warmer fresh water up your nose...or using tap water for your Neti pots...it could literally come back to bite you...in the brain. That was lame, I know.

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Becca-

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If you’re struggling, consider therapy with our sponsor. Visit 

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If you have questions about the brand relating to how the therapists are credentialed, their privacy policy, or therapist compensation, here is an overview written by the YouTube creators behind the channel Cinema Therapy that goes into these topics: 

https://www.reddit.com/r/cinema_therapy/comments/1dpriql/addressing_the_betterhelp_concerns_headon_deep/ 

Hello dear Poison Friends! We are back this week (a little late, forgive me) with an episode on some aquatic overgrowths that can just ruin a vacation...or seafood. In all seriousness, such bloom of these particular algae or cyanobacteria may lead to fish kills, the deaths of aquatic mammals and other wildlife, and the contamination of shellfish and seafood which causes illness in those eating them (birds, and yes, even us). Severe red tides have caused respiratory illnesses in some just being near the source and there are some algae species out there that are destructive to entire ecosystems. Along with being deadly to wildlife (and sometimes humans), these blooms cost various industries, including seafood and tourist industries, millions of dollars.

So I want to introduce to you some of the worst of the offenders that honestly start off innocent enough until they start overgrowing and produce toxins that can cause everything from GI issues to neurological syptoms, paralysis, and death due to respiratory failure. While these toxins directly affect the wildlife where they grow (this includes depleting the oxygen of the environment as well as poisoning it), it can harm predators and humans as they ingest shellfish or seafood in general. Shellfish poisoning may not sound like more than simple food poisoning (which itself is not always simple) but we are discussing a few different kind here including neurotoxic and paralytic shellfish poisoning among others. Also, I would be wrong not to include cyanobacteria in this episode, because, while it is not algae itself, it does compare in how it blooms, produces toxins, and affects entire ecosystems.

Thank you to all of our listeners and supporters! Please feel free to leave a comment or send us a DM for any questions, suggestions, or just to say, "hi."

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Becca-

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Also, look for us on TikTok @poisonersalmanacp

If you’re struggling, consider therapy with our sponsor. Visit 

https://betterhelp.com/almanac for a discount on your first month of therapy.

If you have questions about the brand relating to how the therapists are credentialed, their privacy policy, or therapist compensation, here is an overview written by the YouTube creators behind the channel Cinema Therapy that goes into these topics: 

https://www.reddit.com/r/cinema_therapy/comments/1dpriql/addressing_the_betterhelp_concerns_headon_deep/ 

Hello Poison Friends! I wanted to bring you something a bit different today, but not too different, do not fear. I want to talk about the Dust Bowl and how it effected those living in that region as well as those outside of it as well. We also need to discuss what led to the catastrophe and we can't do that without talking about a few other issues as well, such as the Great Depression, because this was happening at the same time. When it rains, it pours, except this fun little saying can't apply literally (as I would like it to), because part of the creation of the Dust Bowl and the resulting dust storms that devastated the area and choked anything that breathed was drought. A devastating drought right at the start of an economic depression? Oh, and prohibiton was still in effect for some of this time as well, so if you just needed a drink to calm your nerves? It could be deadly because it was likely toxic wood alcohol.

What were these dust storms like? We have eyewitness accounts and know the science a bit better these days behind how this happened and how it would have affected not just the landscape but those living there. Drought and depression brought malnutrition and hunger. Livestock wasted away and died either from hunger/thirst or the dust itself asphyxiating them. Whole families were affected as well. The dust could not be avoided in some areas, and those constantly in this environment often became ill with deadly dust pneumonia, debilitating and chronic lung illnesses and scarring of the lungs. Just how far did this go and how did humanity overcome it?

Thank you to all of our listeners and supporters! Please feel free to leave a comment or send us a DM for any questions, suggestions, or just to say, "hi."

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Becca-

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Also, look for us on TikTok @poisonersalmanacp

If you’re struggling, consider therapy with our sponsor. Visit 

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If you have questions about the brand relating to how the therapists are credentialed, their privacy policy, or therapist compensation, here is an overview written by the YouTube creators behind the channel Cinema Therapy that goes into these topics: 

https://www.reddit.com/r/cinema_therapy/comments/1dpriql/addressing_the_betterhelp_concerns_headon_deep/ 

Hey Poison Friends! Last week, we discussed a few vegetables with toxic parts or traits. We also talked about houseplants and a big toxin we went over was oxalic acid. But I want to dive into some flowery poisons. So of course we need to talk about the pretty plants in many flower gardens that are actually poisonous. We discuss various bulb plants like daffodils and tulips, of course, as well as the simple weedy flowers, shrubs and vining plants that are toxic to both humans and animals.

Our Greek and Roman mythology fans will love our discussion on daffodils/narcissus, because there are just so many stories concerning it. We also have stories of those who have survived such poisonings (and a few tragic stories as well, unfortunately).

Oh, and some how, Audrey Hepburn makes it in this one? Come find out how and also learn what plants not to put in your mouth or allow children or pets around unmonitored.

Thank you to all of our listeners and supporters! Please feel free to leave a comment or send us a DM for any questions, suggestions, or just to say, "hi."

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Becca-

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If you’re struggling, consider therapy with our sponsor. Visit 

https://betterhelp.com/almanac for a discount on your first month of therapy.

If you have questions about the brand relating to how the therapists are credentialed, their privacy policy, or therapist compensation, here is an overview written by the YouTube creators behind the channel Cinema Therapy that goes into these topics: 

https://www.reddit.com/r/cinema_therapy/comments/1dpriql/addressing_the_betterhelp_concerns_headon_deep/ 

Hello Poison Friends! We need to discuss some poisons found in the garden! My goal was to go into the poisons that can be found in the vegetable garden as well as in the flower garden, but I have to make it two parts because I somehow never realize how long I can talk about stuff! Also, Adam has capped my research at 5,000 words per episode as I struggle with stopping anything. Therefore, we are discussing some poisons that can be found in the vegetable gardens around the world. Rhubarb leaves, solanine in potatoes (at least those not stored properly), Cassava, ginkgo biloba seeds, cashews, and more. 

We have some fun (and some more tragic) stories behind each of these as well as the history and folklore of their growth and use. For instance, we need to talk about that time in WWI when the British government encouraged their citizens to eat rhubarb leaves while food was scarce or why it is not okay to munch on houseplants (I hope we all knew that one, but hey, make sure they are out of reach of children or pets if toxic).

How about the guy who worked hard to make the potato popular in France? Did you know potatoes were actually once banned there because it was believed they could cause leprosy or plague? Well, obviously they do not, but when green they can make you very sick.

Cassava! It is a staple crop in parts of South America and in Africa, but when not processed correctly, it can be deadly as they contain cyanogenic glycosides. So how do so many people eat it? And have there been any recent cases of poisoning from cassava? Unfortunately, yes.

Have you ever seen a cashew tree or its fruit? A story from the Philippines gives a fun explanation for why it looks the way it does. Also, before being processed for eating, they are also poisonous, covered with the same substance that causes the itchy reaction when you touch poison ivy.

How about a story concerning the six Gingko trees that survived the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and how their seeds can still cause accidental poisonings today. Also, that Ginkgo leaf extract some people are taking? According to some recent studies, it may not even be helpful. Let’s talk about it!

Thank you to all of our listeners and supporters! Please feel free to leave a comment or send us a DM for any questions, suggestions, or just to say, "hi."

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Becca-

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If you’re struggling, consider therapy with our sponsor. Visit 

https://betterhelp.com/almanac for a discount on your first month of therapy.

If you have questions about the brand relating to how the therapists are credentialed, their privacy policy, or therapist compensation, here is an overview written by the YouTube creators behind the channel Cinema Therapy that goes into these topics: 

https://www.reddit.com/r/cinema_therapy/comments/1dpriql/addressing_the_betterhelp_concerns_headon_deep/ 

Hello poison friends! I left you with a bit of a riddle last week as to today’s topic and as you can see, we are discussing Rabies! This is an older virus (belonging to the genus of Lyssaviruses—named for the minor Greek goddess of rage and fury, Lyssa). We are focusing on the history, mythology, pathology and signs and symptoms of the disease as well as how the first rabies vaccine was developed back in 1885 and historical cures that were not effective and a little on the weird side. From stories of “Mad Dogs” to the use of “Madstones,” we are taking a walk through history on how rabies has been a formidable and fearsome enemy to humanity and wildlife alike. We will take a look at how the disease spreads and how long it may take for symptoms to show. Hopefully, for you they never do, because once symptoms show, it is nearly 100% fatal. Less than 20 people have survived rabies and we will talk over some of these cases as well. With the proper prophylactic vaccines we have now, even post exposure, it is nearly 100% preventable. We will go over what animals carry it and are affected by it and what to look for there. I will surely rant about not approaching wildlife in general if you are not experienced as a handler or whatever, because rabid or not some animals will not hesitate to defend themselves, their young, or their territory. Also, if you have any sort of encounter with an animal known to carry rabies, it is important to seek prophylactic treatment, bite or no bite. There have been cases of victims being infected without being bit, and you may not even know you have been anyway by some of these animals. 

Thank you to all of our listeners and supporters! Please feel free to leave a comment or send us a DM for any questions, suggestions, or just to say, "hi."

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Adam-

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Becca-

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@yobec0?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc⁠⁠⁠

If you’re struggling, consider therapy with our sponsor. Visit 

https://betterhelp.com/almanac for a discount on your first month of therapy.

If you have questions about the brand relating to how the therapists are credentialed, their privacy policy, or therapist compensation, here is an overview written by the YouTube creators behind the channel Cinema Therapy that goes into these topics: 

https://www.reddit.com/r/cinema_therapy/comments/1dpriql/addressing_the_betterhelp_concerns_headon_deep/ 

Hello poison friends! This episode has taken some time to get here, and I apologize. We had to re-record everything because things just went crazy. It is our first regular episode that is available on video, after all, and of course there were tech issues we did not foresee. However, here we are and I am excited to bring you an explanation of an illness you may have seen recently in the news, especially in relation to the deaths of the actor Gene Hackman, his wife, and dog. While Gene did have advanced Alzheimer’s disease, his the autopsy of his wife, Betsy Arakawa shows that she died of Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome. This is a rare, but potentially deadly, illness spread by the droppings, urine, or saliva of rodents, mainly deer mice here in America. While in other parts of the world such as Europe and Asia, it results in kidney problems and failure, the strain typically found in the Americas causes pulmonary/respiratory distress and higher rates of death as a result. There have been outbreaks of this illness such as that in the 1990s among the Four Corners region of the US, and we go into detail about that as well. So where could Betsy Arakawa have contracted this illness? Let’s discuss and avoid unhealthy assumptions, shall we? 

Just FYI, I wanted to discuss more than one zoonotic disease this episode, but Adam has been holding me accountable to not overdoing it. So yeah, we are going to be discussing another virus next week that is more “furious.” It is older and more well known and even has ties with Greek Mythology. Any guesses?

Thank you to all of our listeners and supporters! Please feel free to leave a comment or send us a DM for any questions, suggestions, or just to say, "hi."

Support us on Patreon:

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Adam-

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Becca-

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If you’re struggling, consider therapy with our sponsor. Visit 

https://betterhelp.com/almanac for a discount on your first month of therapy.

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Hey poison friends! We are back with another episode on fungi. It has been awhile since we spoke on some of our favorite poisonous mushrooms, but this time I wanted to discuss the subject of molds. Toxic black mold has long been a subject of debate within the medical community concerning just how toxic it can be to humans. Certainly, it affects those with allergies to it, chronic respiratory issues such as asthma, cystic fibrosis, and COPD. It has also been shown to cause pulmonary hemorrhage in infants and in animal studies. So let's discuss how mold grows and how it causes symptoms such as headaches, breathing problems, and confusion for some. We also need to take a look at possible deaths that were related to toxic black mold.

We are also discussing invasive fungal infections this episode. No, not that bad case of ringworm or athletes foot, although those are certainly annoying. I mean that which infects the respiratory system or invades through broken skin and spreads around causing havoc in our bodies. There have been millions of deaths every year related to invasive fungal infections, many of which are related to immunosuppression such as with HIV or those on immunosuppressive drugs longterm. There are various fungi that can invade the body, but this time we are focusing on Aspergillus (causing aspergillosis).

I could not do another episode on fungi without including some fun ones such as whiskey fungus and radiotrophic fungi. Nor could I leave out the subject of one of the most well known video games/shows these days: The Last of Us. Yep, we are also going in to cordyceps and how it hijacks it hosts, leading them to an unfortunate demise so it can propagate more of the parasitic fungi.

I promise to end on a fun note though with the cutest blue mushroom you've ever seen.

Thank you to all of our listeners and supporters! Please feel free to leave a comment or send us a DM for any questions, suggestions, or just to say, "hi."

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