In this week’s episode, we delve into the growing issue of adulterated vapes. We explore a study uncovering synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists (SCRAs) in THC vape products, and anabolic-androgenic steroids in e-cigarette cartridges seized from Scottish prisons. Join us as we unpack the toxicology behind these substances and what this emerging trend could mean for public health and the future of vaping.

Hope you enjoy!

Links to the papers we discussed:

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/add.16671

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S037907382400046X

Disclaimer: All opinions are our own.

Find us on instagram: @the_tox_lab

Email us here: [email protected]

In this week's episode, we discuss a couple of interesting case reports including a case series on 'Death Coffee' and a complex suicide case involving penconazole.

Hope you enjoy!

Links to papers we discussed:

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/npr2.70013

https://clinicaterapeutica.it/ojs/index.php/1/article/view/1195/812

Disclaimer: All opinions are our own.

Find us on instagram: @the_tox_lab

Email us here: [email protected]

A suspicious will led to the exhumation of Kathleen Grundy—and toxicology revealed a shocking truth. In this week's episode, we examine the forensic testing that exposed Shipman’s crimes, from hair analysis to post-mortem drug screening and how this case changed the UK’s Coronial process forever.

Hope you enjoy!

Disclaimer: All opinions are our own.

Find us on instagram: @the_tox_lab

Email us here: [email protected]

A trusted doctor. A quiet town. And a trail of unexplained deaths. In this episode, we trace Harold Shipman’s fall from promising physician to prolific killer. From his pethidine addiction to his use of diamorphine as a murder weapon, we uncover the early suspicions that could have stopped him—long before his final victim.

Hope you enjoy!

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 nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas. We'll discuss its historical use, pharmacological effects, potential toxicities, and the evolving legal landscape surrounding its use. Join us as we uncover the complexities of this seemingly innocuous gas and its implications for public health.

Hope you enjoy!

Disclaimer: All opinions are our own.

Find us on instagram: @the_tox_lab

Email us here: [email protected]

In this week's episode, we delve into the unexpected hazards associated with poppy seed consumption. We'll explore recent cases of thebaine poisoning in Australia linked to non-food-grade poppy seeds and the risks of opioid toxicity from unwashed seeds. Join us as we examine the chemistry behind these toxicities, share real-world cases, and discuss the implications for public health and safety.​

Hope you enjoy!

Links to papers we've discussed:

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/15563650.2020.1866766?rfr_dat=cr_pub++0pubmed&url_ver=Z39.88-2003&rfr_id=ori%3Arid%3Acrossref.org

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/15563650.2023.2265053

Disclaimer: All opinions are our own.

Find us on instagram: @the_tox_lab

Email us here: [email protected]

A WWII soldier on meth, a smuggler in freefall, and a bear on cocaine. In this week's episode, we break down Aimo Koivunen’s unbelievable survival after a methamphetamine overdose, then uncover the real story of Andrew Carter Thornton II, whose botched drug drop led to the infamous ‘Cocaine Bear'. Join us as we discuss the toxicology behind these wild cases and seperate fact from fiction.

Hope you enjoy!

Disclaimer: All opinions are our own.

Find us on instagram: @the_tox_lab

Email us here: [email protected]

Interpreting toxicology results after death isn’t always straightforward—especially when time is a factor. In this episode, we discuss the post-mortem interval (PMI) and how it complicates toxicological interpretation. We explore how decomposition affects drug concentrations and why traditional methods of estimating PMI have limitations. Could omics-based approaches, like metabolomics and proteomics, offer a more accurate way to determine time of death? Tune in as we break down the science behind PMI and its impact on forensic toxicology.

Hope you enjoy!

Disclaimer: All opinions are our own.

Find us on instagram: @the_tox_lab

Email us here: [email protected]

Links to the paper we discussed: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11817326/

In this week's episode, we break down synthetic cathinones, a group of powerful stimulants linked to severe health effects. We discuss what they are, their toxicology, and the latest ACMD report on their risks and regulation. Tune in as we explore the evolving dangers of these substances and their impact on public health.

Hope you enjoy!

Find us on Instagram: @the_tox_lab

Links we've discussed:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/synthetic-cathinones-an-updated-harms-assessment/synthetic-cathinones-an-updated-harms-assessment-accessible

https://www.euda.europa.eu/publications/eu-drug-markets/new-psychoactive-substances/distribution-and-supply/synthetic-cathinones_ro

Some viral trends are more dangerous than they seem. In this episode, we break down the toxicology behind risky TikTok challenges. From alcohol poisoning to deadly overdoses, chemical inhalation, and neurological damage, we explore the real health risks and long-term consequences of these shocking stunts.

Hope you enjoy!

Find us on Instagram: @the_tox_lab