This week, we’re talking about the toxic combination of cocaine and alcohol. We explore the formation of cocaethylene, and the role both cocaine and cocaethylene play in arrhythmias and other cardiac complications. We also examine potential mechanisms of liver injury linked to cocaine use—and how alcohol may amplify this effect.

Join us as we break down the pharmacology and clinical consequences of this high-risk pairing.

Hope you enjoy!

Links to the papers we discussed:

https://academic.oup.com/jat/article-abstract/43/3/155/5363995?redirectedFrom=fulltext

https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/13/5/1475

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10565-024-09901-5

Disclaimer: All opinions are our own.

Find us on instagram: @the_tox_lab

Email us here: [email protected]

This week on The Tox Lab, we're taking a closer look at tianeptine—a drug originally developed as an antidepressant, but now making headlines as “gas station heroin” due to its opioid-like effects and increasing misuse across the U.S.

We explore a compelling clinical case of high-dose tianeptine withdrawal, examine national poison control data highlighting common symptoms and severity of presentations, and discuss a recent outbreak in New Jersey involving cases of acute toxicity linked to contaminated tianeptine products.

Tune in as we break down the pharmacology, patterns of harm, and public health concerns surrounding this emerging substance.

Hope you enjoy!

Links to the papers we discussed:

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11254389/

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13181-024-01053-6

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11933608/

Disclaimer: All opinions are our own.

Find us on instagram: @the_tox_lab

Email us here: [email protected]

Why is chocolate dangerous for dogs? What makes lilies so toxic to cats? In this episode of The Tox Lab, we explore the fascinating (and sometimes surprising) toxicology of common substances that can harm our pets.

From household foods to ornamental plants, we break down the mechanisms behind these poisons, species-specific sensitivities, and what clinicians, pet owners, and toxicologists need to know when it comes to animal exposures.

Join us as we unpack the science behind pet poisoning cases and why everyday items might not be so harmless to our furry companions.

Hope you enjoy!

Disclaimer: All opinions are our own.

Find us on instagram: @the_tox_lab

Email us here: [email protected]

This week, we dive into the European Drug Report 2025, breaking down the latest data on drug trends across Europe.

From rising cocaine detections and shifting cannabis use patterns to ongoing concerns around heroin, MDMA, synthetic stimulants, and the growing presence of novel psychoactive substances — we explore the substances making headlines and what they mean for toxicologists, clinicians, and policymakers.

Join us as we unpack the key findings, highlight what’s new (and what’s not), and examine the wider implications for public health and toxicology.

Hope you enjoy!

Read the full EUDA 2025 report here: https://www.euda.europa.eu/publications/european-drug-report/2025_en

Disclaimer: All opinions are our own.

Find us on instagram: @the_tox_lab

Email us here: [email protected]

In this episode, we dive deep into the world of methamphetamine enantiomers—those chemically identical but biologically distinct mirror-image molecules. We examine a paper that looks at the suitability of the 20% D-methamphetamine cutoff used to indicate illicit methamphetamine use in the US, and some of the challenges associated with enantiomer testing.

We also break down the differential respiratory effects of methamphetamine enantiomers when co-administered with fentanyl—a combination increasingly seen in overdose cases—and what this means for clinical and forensic interpretation. Plus, we take a data-driven look at how these enantiomers are showing up in real-world contexts, from seized drug samples to blood samples of impaired drivers in Iceland.

Hope you enjoy!

Links to papers we discussed:

https://academic.oup.com/jat/article-abstract/36/6/399/791636?redirectedFrom=fulltext&login=false

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11015966/

https://academic.oup.com/jat/article-abstract/48/6/456/7675298?redirectedFrom=fulltext&login=false

Disclaimer: All opinions are our own.

Find us on instagram: @the_tox_lab

Email us here: [email protected]

In this week's episode, we explore the growing world of delta-8 THC—how it compares to delta-9 THC, what recent research reveals about its effects when consumed orally, and what those differences might mean for users. We also discuss a pediatric case involving the accidental ingestion of delta-8 THC gummies, highlighting the clinical presentation, management, and the testing challenges that can arise.

Hope you enjoy!

Links to papers we discussed:

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2025.112676

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8594112/

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0376871625001371?via%3Dihub

Disclaimer: All opinions are our own.

Find us on instagram: @the_tox_lab

Email us here: [email protected]

What started as routine lab work led to one of the most iconic bike rides in scientific history. In this episode, we dive into the story of Albert Hofmann and the accidental discovery of LSD, tracing the events of the first intentional trip—now known as Bicycle Day. We explore LSD’s early promise in psychiatry, its rise as a recreational drug, and the reasons behind its prohibition. Finally, we examine its resurgence in modern research and what the future might hold for this powerful and controversial compound.

Hope you enjoy!

Link to Albert Hofmann's biography: https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://maps.org/images/pdf/books/lsdmyproblemchild.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwiro_yKx6yNAxWAVEEAHXSXBH4QFnoFCIABEAE&usg=AOvVaw2cVVcGZ3Mc8B9cfSVi0QTh

Disclaimer: All opinions are our own.

Find us on instagram: @the_tox_lab

Email us here: [email protected]

In this week's episode, we turn our focus to mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, the primary active components of kratom. We explore what these alkaloids are, how they behave post-mortem, and what we know about their stability in biological matrices. We also discuss the evidence around 7-hydroxymitragynine’s role in respiratory depression, and the growing concern around kratom products in the U.S. that contain 7-hydroxymitragynine as their primary compound. Join us as we unpack the complexities surrounding these substances and their implications for toxicologists.

Hope you enjoy!

Links to papers we discussed:

https://academic.oup.com/jat/article-abstract/49/2/122/7934595?redirectedFrom=fulltext

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9314834/

https://www.cfsre.org/images/content/reports/public_alerts/7-Hydroxy_Mitragynine_NPS_Discovery_033125.pdf

Disclaimer: All opinions are our own.

Find us on instagram: @the_tox_lab

Email us here: [email protected]