The Tox Lab

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

In this week's episode, we delve into the rising concern of nitazenes in the recreational drug market. Our discussion centers on a recent study that examines 15 previously uncharacterized nitazene analogues, assessing their potency, μ-opioid receptor activity, and effects in mice. Join us as we break down the study's findings and discuss their real-world implications for public health and safety.

Hope you enjoy!

Find us on Instagram: @the_tox_lab

Link to the papers we discussed:

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1043661824004481?via%3Dihub

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10320493/

In this week's episode, we explore the unexpected ways loud music might influence methamphetamine toxicity in mice. We discuss the behavioural and neurological changes observed after mice were exposed to tracks by the Prodigy, potential mechanisms behind the effects and how this might impact humans in similar situations.

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Find us on instagram: @the_tox_lab

Link to the paper we discussed: https://journals.lww.com/neuroreport/abstract/2001/10290/methamphetamine_toxicity_in_mice_is_potentiated_by.26.aspx

In this week's episode, we delve into the chilling reality of slushie poisoning. We discuss real-life cases making headlines, explore the symptoms of glycerol intoxication, and break down the metabolic pathways potentially affected in these scenarios. Join us as we uncover the hidden dangers lurking in seemingly innocent treats.

Hope you enjoy!

Find us on instagram @the_tox_lab

Link to the paper we discussed:

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/15563650.2022.2114911?url_ver=Z39.88-2003&rfr_id=ori:rid:crossref.org&rfr_dat=cr_pub%20%200pubmed

In this week's episode, we explore the growing impact of street benzodiazepines on drug-related deaths across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Join us as we delve into the latest trends in benzodiazepine detections and discuss the implications for toxicology and public health.

Hope you enjoy!

Link to the paper we discussed:

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/dar.13979

What happens when scientific curiosity crosses ethical boundaries? In this week's episode, we examine the infamous 1962 experiment involving Tusko the elephant and a massive dose of LSD, discuss what went wrong, and what we can learn from this cautionary tale.

Hope you enjoy!

Links to papers we've discussed:

https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.138.3545.1100

https://link.springer.com/article/10.3758/BF03333759

As the New Year kicks off, countless resolutions center around weight loss and fitness. But in the quest for quick results, how far is too far? In this week's episode, we dive into the dark side of two substances, caffeine and 2,4-dinitrophenol (2,4 DNP), and how their misuse in the world of fitness can have deadly consequences.

Hope you enjoy!

Links to papers we've discussed:

https://casereports.bmj.com/content/2018/bcr-2018-224185

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11628266/