The Tox Lab

The Tox Lab

The Tox Lab is a podcast dedicated to exploring the science of toxicology and its real-world implications. Each week we aim to break down complex research, investigate real-life cases, and discuss emerging trends in toxicology. Disclaimer: All opinions are our own. Find us on instagram: @the_tox_lab Email us here: thetoxlab@gmail.com

  1. 15h ago

    Episode 89: Absinthe: Thujone, Toxicity and the Myths of the Green Fairy

    This week on The Tox Lab, we're diving into the world of absinthe, the infamous "Green Fairy". We begin by exploring what absinthe actually is, from its botanical origins and traditional preparation to its rise in popularity and the myths that eventually surrounded it. We discuss why absinthe became associated with hallucinations, madness, and toxicity, and how these stories contributed to its controversial reputation and prohibition. We then turn to the toxicology of absinthe and examine thujone, the compound often identified as the toxin responsible for "absinthism". We explore how thujone affects the central nervous system, what the evidence actually tells us about thujone toxicity, and whether reported cases of absinthe-related illness can really be attributed to the compound itself. We also take a closer look at what is known about thujone exposure and toxicity in general, discussing how neurological symptoms can arise at high doses and why interpreting reports of adverse effects is challenging when modern toxicological data is limited or based on experimental models rather than real-world exposure. Finally, we bring these threads together by separating fact from fiction, unpacking some of the most persistent myths surrounding absinthe, including whether it truly causes hallucinations and what ultimately led to its bans in many countries. Join us as we explore the chemistry, pharmacology, and toxicology of absinthe, and ask whether the notorious "Green Fairy" really deserved its dangerous reputation, or if its legacy is more myth than science. Hope you enjoy! Links to papers we discussed: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1475830/ https://ift.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/1750-3841.14273 Disclaimer: All opinions are our own. Find us on instagram: @the_tox_lab Email us here: thetoxlab@gmail.com Check out our new website: https://thetoxlab.co.uk/ Support us here: https://buymeacoffee.com/thetoxlab

    Episode 89: Absinthe: Thujone, Toxicity and the Myths of the Green Fairy

  2. Aug 3

    Episode 88: Decongestants - When Nasal Sprays and Eye Drops Become Toxic

    This week on The Tox Lab, we're taking a look at the dark side of decongestants and exploring how seemingly harmless over-the-counter nasal sprays and eye drops can cause severe toxicity. We begin by discussing the pharmacology of imidazoline decongestants, including their effects on alpha-adrenergic receptors and how systemic exposure can lead to cardiovascular and central nervous system toxicity. We then examine a fatal case involving xylometazoline, in which exposure was associated with a haemorrhagic stroke. We explore the possible mechanisms underlying this rare but serious complication, including the effects of sympathomimetic decongestants on vascular tone and blood pressure. Finally, we turn to tetrahydrozoline, an ingredient found in products such as Visine eye drops and some nasal decongestants. We discuss accidental and intentional ingestions, severe bradycardia, hypotension, CNS depression, and cardiac conduction abnormalities, as well as the challenges associated with recognising and detecting tetrahydrozoline toxicity. We also explore the darker forensic history of tetrahydrozoline, including its involvement in cases of drug-facilitated sexual assault and murder, and consider why the role of these compounds in unexpected deaths and criminal investigations may be underestimated. Join us as we examine how everyday over-the-counter decongestants can cause coma, profound cardiovascular toxicity, and even death, and explore the toxicological and forensic challenges posed by compounds that are not routinely included in standard drug screening. Hope you enjoy! Links to the papers we discussed: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/1556-4029.15416 https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12024-023-00680-9 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8118060/ Disclaimer: All opinions are our own. Find us on instagram: @the_tox_lab Email us here: thetoxlab@gmail.com Check out our new website: https://thetoxlab.co.uk/ Support us here: https://buymeacoffee.com/thetoxlab

  3. Jul 27

    Episode 87: Wastewater Analysis: Can Sewage Detect Emerging Drug Trends?

    This week on The Tox Lab, we're diving into wastewater-based epidemiology and exploring how wastewater analysis can be used to monitor drug use and emerging drug trends. We begin by discussing the UK national wastewater analysis programme and examining what wastewater data revealed about the use of commonly encountered recreational drugs in 2022. We explore what these measurements can tell us about population-level drug use and how wastewater analysis can provide a different perspective from more traditional sources of toxicological data. We then turn to the use of wastewater analysis for monitoring novel psychoactive substances, discussing the detection of emerging compounds including nitazenes and xylazine. Finally, we examine the recent detection of N-propionitrile chlorphine, also known as cychlorphine, in wastewater in the United States. We discuss what these findings may tell us about the emergence of this novel synthetic opioid and the potential for wastewater monitoring to identify new substances as they begin to appear in the illicit drug supply. Join us as we explore how wastewater analysis is being used to monitor drug use, track emerging synthetic opioids and novel psychoactive substances, and consider whether wastewater could play an increasingly important role in early warning systems, harm reduction, and public health. Hope you enjoy! Links to papers we discussed: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/add.70398 https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsestwater.5c01173?ref=PDF https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12319643/ https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.estlett.6c00529 Disclaimer: All opinions are our own. Find us on instagram: @the_tox_lab Email us here: thetoxlab@gmail.com Check out our new website: https://thetoxlab.co.uk/ Support us here: https://buymeacoffee.com/thetoxlab

  4. Jul 20

    Episode 86: Silver Toxicity: Medical Uses, Argyria and Anaemia

    This week on The Tox Lab, we're discussing silver toxicity and the toxicological consequences of using silver outside its established medical applications. We begin by exploring the legitimate uses of silver in medicine, including wound dressings, topical preparations, and antimicrobial coatings on medical devices. We then turn to the claims surrounding colloidal silver, including its promotion as a treatment for a wide range of conditions despite a lack of evidence supporting many of these uses. We then examine argyria, a condition caused by the accumulation of silver in the body that can lead to permanent blue-grey discolouration of the skin. We discuss the case of Paul Karason, better known as "Papa Smurf", and explore how his use of colloidal silver made him one of the most recognisable examples of the potential consequences of long-term silver exposure. Finally, we examine a case of severe anaemia associated with colloidal silver ingestion, discussing the potential mechanisms of toxicity and the challenges of recognising the role of alternative and unregulated products in serious clinical presentations. Join us as we explore the medical uses, alternative claims, and toxicological consequences of silver exposure, and consider how a substance with legitimate applications in medicine can become harmful when used in ways that are not supported by the evidence. Hope you enjoy! Link to papers we discussed: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamadermatology/fullarticle/2214158   https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.5694/mja2.52687   https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S221475002300104X?via%3Dihub   Disclaimer: All opinions are our own. Find us on instagram: @the_tox_lab Email us here: thetoxlab@gmail.com Check out our new website: https://thetoxlab.co.uk/  Support us here: https://buymeacoffee.com/thetoxlab

  5. Jul 13

    Episode 85: Benzodiazepines and Alcohol: Does Cross-Tolerance Work Both Ways?

    This week on The Tox Lab, we're discussing cross-tolerance, focusing on the relationship between benzodiazepines and alcohol. We begin by exploring how alcohol acts at the GABA-A receptor, the neuroadaptations that occur with chronic alcohol use, and why the sudden cessation of alcohol can lead to withdrawal. We then discuss why benzodiazepines are the mainstay of treatment for alcohol withdrawal and the pharmacological basis for their effectiveness. We then turn to the concept of cross-tolerance, examining how long-term alcohol use can influence the response to benzodiazepines, and whether chronic benzodiazepine use provides similar cross-tolerance to the effects of alcohol. We discuss the pharmacological mechanisms underlying these interactions, the similarities and important differences between the two drugs, and why cross-tolerance is only partial. Finally, we consider the clinical implications of these findings, including why combining alcohol and benzodiazepines remains particularly dangerous despite any degree of tolerance. Join us as we examine the pharmacology, clinical toxicology, and misconceptions surrounding benzodiazepine and alcohol cross-tolerance, and consider what these interactions mean for patient care and overdose risk. Hope you enjoy! Link to papers we discussed: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3321276/  https://journals.healio.com/doi/10.3928/00485713-20251202-02?__cf_chl_f_tk=QOyw_fXXLTUEXO4ZHEuX5s6eAN_jQeaCPemdwZ_Ygdc-1783254633-1.0.1.1-n9t5ECBcZIAn9EM4ia88JllcRLiCinRKSrG5LRy3D94 Disclaimer: All opinions are our own. Find us on instagram: @the_tox_lab Email us here: thetoxlab@gmail.com Check out our new website: https://thetoxlab.co.uk/  Support us here: https://buymeacoffee.com/thetoxlab

  6. Jul 6

    Episode 84: MDMA: Why Does Toxicity Differ Between People?

    This week on The Tox Lab, we’re discussing MDMA, examining its pharmacology, toxicity, and the factors that influence individual susceptibility to harm. We begin by exploring how MDMA works, focusing on its effects on serotonin release, reuptake, and signalling, and the pharmacological mechanisms responsible for its desired effects and adverse reactions. We then examine a case of severe MDMA toxicity resulting in hyperthermia and multi-organ failure, discussing the clinical features, management, and the toxicological mechanisms underlying these life-threatening complications. Finally, we turn to the role of the polymorphic enzyme CYP2D6 in MDMA metabolism, examining how genetic variation and MDMA-induced inhibition of CYP2D6 can influence drug concentrations, toxicity, and the risks associated with repeat dosing and drug interactions. Join us as we examine the pharmacology, clinical toxicology, and pharmacogenetics of MDMA, and consider what these findings mean for understanding both its desired effects and its potential harms. Hope you enjoy! Links to the papers we discussed: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11470468/pdf/main.pdf https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3495276/pdf/fgene-03-00235.pdf https://analyticalsciencejournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/dta.2605  Disclaimer: All opinions are our own. Find us on instagram: @the_tox_lab Email us here: thetoxlab@gmail.com Check out our new website: https://thetoxlab.co.uk/  Support us here: https://buymeacoffee.com/thetoxlab

  7. Jun 29

    Episode 83: Grey Market Peptides – BPC-157, Melanotan II and Toxicity

    This week on The Tox Lab, we’re discussing grey market peptides and examining the growing interest in these compounds for performance enhancement, recovery, and cosmetic purposes. We begin by exploring peptides linked to musculoskeletal healing, focusing on BPC-157 and the evidence surrounding its proposed effects. We discuss the claims made about these compounds, the current state of the research, and the challenges of separating marketing from scientific evidence. We then turn to melanotan II, examining its pharmacology, patterns of use, and a rare case of priapism associated with its administration. Finally, we discuss the broader risks associated with grey market peptides, including product quality, dosing uncertainty, adverse effects, and the challenges posed by purchasing compounds from unregulated online sources. Join us as we examine the evidence, harms, and controversies surrounding grey market peptides, and consider what their increasing popularity means for toxicology, public health, and consumer safety. Hope you enjoy! Links to the papers we discussed: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12178-025-09990-7  https://academic.oup.com/smoa/article/9/1/100298/6956707   https://www.health.vic.gov.au/health-alerts/toxicity-linked-to-unapproved-peptide-retatrutide   Disclaimer: All opinions are our own. Find us on instagram: @the_tox_lab Email us here: thetoxlab@gmail.com Check out our new website: https://thetoxlab.co.uk/  Support us here: https://buymeacoffee.com/thetoxlab

  8. Jun 25 ·  Bonus

    EUDA 2026 Drug Report Livestream

    Bonus Episode: EUDA European Drug Report 2026 Livestream This is the recording of our YouTube livestream from the 9th June, where we unpacked the 2026 EUDA Drug Report. Join us as we explore some of the key findings from the report, discuss emerging drug trends across Europe, share our insights, and answer your questions. We hope you enjoy! Link to the 2026 EUDA Drug Report: https://www.euda.europa.eu/publications/european-drug-report/2026_en Disclaimer: All opinions are our own. Find us on instagram: @the_tox_lab Email us here: thetoxlab@gmail.com Check out our new website: https://thetoxlab.co.uk/  Support us here: https://buymeacoffee.com/thetoxlab

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5
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About

The Tox Lab is a podcast dedicated to exploring the science of toxicology and its real-world implications. Each week we aim to break down complex research, investigate real-life cases, and discuss emerging trends in toxicology. Disclaimer: All opinions are our own. Find us on instagram: @the_tox_lab Email us here: thetoxlab@gmail.com

Information

  • Creator
    The Tox Lab
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    90
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © The Tox Lab
  • Show Website
    The Tox Lab

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