Pills are a strong poison for humans. The most dangerous toxic substances

Poison of any origin, chemical, food or natural, has always been a subject of interest from the media mass media, chemical safety and popular writers. Humanity knows hundreds deadly poisons, many of which were practically used as a means of murder, genocide and acts of terrorism. Some of them are presented in our review.

The well-known cyanide is a deadly poison that affects the central nervous system and the heart. Even a small dose, entering the blood, binds iron molecules and blocks the supply of oxygen to vital organs, resulting in death in a matter of minutes. There are different shapes cyanide, such as hydrogen cyanide, which is considered the most poisonous. This gas kills a person in about 10 minutes. Gas was used during the First World War as chemical weapons and was prohibited by the Geneva Convention. Today, cyanide is used as a means of murder, suicide and in the plots of books.

This main character events of September 2011, when reports of people receiving disputes in envelopes anthrax, appeared in the news almost every day. As a result, five people died and 17 were injured from exposure to the poison, which caused panic among US citizens. This fear is understandable, since anthrax spores are easily transmitted through the air. After infection, the respiratory system becomes numb and the person begins to suffocate. Out of 10 people, 9 die within a week of infection.

Sarin is considered a mass murder agent that causes death by asphyxia within 60 seconds. Minute terrible torment and the person dies. Since 1993, this substance has been banned from production, but despite this, in 1995 there was a massive terrorist attack on the subway in Japan, as well as in Iraq and Syria, resulting in the death of 330 to 1,800 people.

Amatoxin is a substance found in the world's deadliest mushrooms. When it enters the bloodstream, it affects the cells of the kidneys and liver, resulting in organ failure within a few days. Amatoxin also affects the heart. If a large dose of penicillin is not administered, the person may fall into a coma or die from heart and liver failure.

Strychnine has been used as a pesticide to kill pests, but it can also kill humans. It was discovered in Asia, contained in special varieties of trees, but it can also be obtained in the laboratory (the one who managed to do this received a Nobel Prize). Strychnine can enter the body in different ways: injection, inhalation and absorption. After entering the body, muscle convulsions and spasms begin, leading to asphyxia. After the injection, the person dies within half an hour.

Back in school, everyone was warned to be careful with the thermometer. And this is not just like that, but because of a heavy metal called mercury. It is an incredibly toxic metal that enters the body either through inhalation or through skin contact. If mercury comes into contact with the skin, it causes itching, burning, and the skin may even peel off. Mercury can cause memory loss, vision loss, kidney failure and brain cell destruction. The result is death.

A notorious poison found in fugu fish, popular among sushi connoisseurs who are willing to pay a hefty price in the hope that the fish is cooked correctly. The first symptoms appear 30 minutes after consumption poisonous fish. At first, a person feels his mouth paralyzed and it becomes difficult to swallow. Soon there is a violation of coordination of movements and speech. Seizures and convulsions begin, as a result the person may fall into a coma and die. Death occurs after about 6 hours, but cases have been reported fatal outcome after 17 minutes. This poison is considered one of the deadliest on earth.

Ricin is another poison that has become popular, like anthrax, due to being sent through the mail. The actress who starred in the movie “Walking Dead” was convicted of just such a crime. Ricin has been found in castor bean seeds. Ricin is an incredibly deadly poison; it binds to proteins in the body, causing death. It was considered a chemical weapon by the US military and members of al-Qaeda.

The most dangerous nerve gas on the planet, formerly a pesticide, has become an excellent target for militaries around the world, despite the ban on the use of weapons mass destruction. Gas has no other use except during war. The gas is so poisonous that one drop of it on the skin can kill a person. When inhaled, the first symptoms of poisoning are similar to the onset of the flu, then paralysis of the respiratory system occurs, which leads to death.

This is the deadliest poison on Earth. A cup of the toxin could kill hundreds of thousands of people by causing the disease botulism, a disease that affects the central nervous system. Surprisingly, this poison has an important practical application- from Botox injection procedures to migraine treatment. It is known that some patients have died after procedures using botulinum toxin. Of those injured as a result of poisoning with this poison, 50% die without treatment. medical care, and those who survive suffer from serious complications for many years. Due to its instability and easy availability in nature, botulinum toxin is the deadliest poison in the world. However, the cosmetic industry often uses

Poisons have been used from ancient times to the present day as weapons, antidotes, and even medicine.

In fact, poisons are all around us, in drinking water, in household items and even our blood.

The word "poison" is used to describe any substance that can cause a dangerous disorder in the body.

Even in small quantity, the poison can lead to poisoning and death.

Here are some examples of some of the most insidious poisons that can be fatal to humans.

Many poisons can be lethal in small doses, so it is quite difficult to single out the most dangerous one. However, many experts agree that botulinum toxin, which is used in Botox injections to smooth out wrinkles is the strongest.

Botulism is a serious disease leading to paralysis, caused by botulinum toxin, which is produced by bacteria Clostridium botulinum. This poison causes damage nervous system, respiratory arrest and death in terrible agony.

Symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, double vision, facial weakness, speech impediments, difficulty swallowing and others. The bacterium can enter the body through food (usually bad canned food) and through open wounds.

2. Poison ricin

Ricin is natural poison obtained from castor beans castor bean plants. A few grains are enough to kill an adult. Ricin kills cells in the human body, preventing it from producing the proteins it needs, resulting in organ failure. A person can become poisoned by ricin through inhalation or ingestion.

If inhaled, symptoms of poisoning usually appear within 8 hours of exposure and include difficulty breathing, fever, cough, nausea, sweating and chest tightness.

If ingested, symptoms appear in less than 6 hours and include nausea and diarrhea (possibly bloody), low blood pressure, hallucinations and seizures. Death may occur within 36-72 hours.

3. Sarin gas

Sarin is one of the the most dangerous and deadly nerve gases, which is hundreds of times more toxic than cyanide. Sarin was originally produced as a pesticide, but the clear, odorless gas soon became a powerful chemical weapon.

A person can be poisoned by sarin gas by inhaling or exposing the gas to the eyes and skin. Initially, symptoms may appear such as runny nose and chest tightness, difficulty breathing and nausea.

Then the person loses control over all functions of his body and falls into a coma, convulsions and spasms occur until suffocation occurs.

4. Tetrodotoxin

This deadly poison found in the organs of fish of the genus pufferfish, from which the famous Japanese delicacy "fugu" is prepared. Tetrodotoxin persists in the skin, liver, intestines and other organs, even after the fish has been cooked.

This toxin causes paralysis, convulsions, mental disorder and other symptoms. Death occurs within 6 hours after ingestion of the poison.

Every year, several people are known to die painful deaths from tetrodotoxin poisoning after eating fugu.

5. Potassium cyanide

Potassium cyanide is one of the the fastest deadly poisons known to mankind. It may be in the form of crystals and colorless gas with a bitter almond odor. Cyanide can be found in some foods and plants. It is found in cigarettes and is used to make plastic, photographs, extract gold from ore, and kill unwanted insects.

Cyanide has been used since ancient times, and in modern world it was a method of capital punishment. Poisoning can occur through inhalation, ingestion and even touching, causing symptoms such as seizures, respiratory failure and in severe cases death, which may occur in a few minutes. It kills by binding to iron in blood cells, making them unable to carry oxygen.

6. Mercury and mercury poisoning

There are three forms of mercury that can be potentially hazardous: elemental, inorganic and organic. Elemental mercury, which contained in mercury thermometers , old fillings and fluorescent lamps, non-toxic on contact, but may be fatal if inhaled.

Inhalation of mercury vapor (the metal quickly turns into gas when room temperature) affects the lungs and brain, turning off the central nervous system.

Inorganic mercury, which is used to make batteries, can be fatal if ingested and cause kidney damage and other symptoms. Organic mercury found in fish and seafood is usually hazardous over long-term exposure. Symptoms of poisoning may include memory loss, blindness, seizures and others.

7. Strychnine and strychnine poisoning

Strychnine is an odorless, white, bitter crystalline powder that can be acquired by ingestion, inhalation, solution, and intravenous injection.

They get it from the seeds of the chilibuha tree(Strychnos nux-vomica), native to India and southeast Asia. Although it is often used as a pesticide, it can also be found in narcotic substances such as heroin and cocaine.

The degree of strychnine poisoning depends on the amounts and route of entry into the body, but to cause serious condition, a small amount of this poison is enough. Symptoms of poisoning include muscle spasms, respiratory failure and even lead to brain death 30 minutes after exposure.

8. Arsenic and arsenic poisoning

Arsenic, which is the 33rd element in the periodic table, has been synonymous with poison since ancient times. It was often used as a poison of choice in political assassinations, as Arsenic poisoning resembled cholera symptoms.

Arsenic is considered a heavy metal with properties similar to those of lead and mercury. In high concentrations it can lead to symptoms of poisoning such as abdominal pain, seizures, coma and death. In small amounts, it can contribute to a number of diseases, including cancer, heart disease and diabetes.

9. Poison curare

Curare is a mixture of various South American plants that were used for poison arrows. Curare has been used for medicinal purposes in a highly diluted form. The main poison is an alkaloid, which causes paralysis and death, as well as strychnine and hemlock. However, after paralysis occurs respiratory system, the heart can continue to beat.

Death from curare is slow and painful, as the victim remains conscious but cannot move or speak. However, if artificial respiration is applied before the poison settles, the person can be saved. Amazon tribes used curare to hunt animals, but the poisoned animal meat was not dangerous to those who consumed it.

10. Batrachotoxin

Fortunately, the chances of encountering this poison are very small. Batrachotoxin, found in the skin of tiny dart frogs, is one of the most powerful neurotoxins in the world.

Frogs themselves do not produce poison; it is accumulated from the foods they consume, mainly small bugs. The most dangerous poison content was found in a species of frogs terrible leaf climber , living in Colombia.

One specimen contains enough batrachotoxin to kill two dozen people or several elephants. I affects nerves, especially around the heart, makes breathing difficult and quickly leads to death.

Foods and drinks that are very familiar to us can turn out to be deadly. And the simplest objects contain poison. It turns out that the most powerful poisons are sometimes close to us, and we don’t even suspect it.
We present to your attention a list of the most known poisons which have been used to kill people throughout history.

1. Hemlock

Hemlock is a genus of highly toxic flowering plants native to Europe and South Africa. The ancient Greeks used it to kill their captives. For an adult, 100 mg is enough. infusion or about 8 hemlock leaves to cause death - your mind is awake, but your body does not respond and eventually the respiratory system stops. The most famous case of poisoning is considered to be one sentenced to death for atheism in 399 BC. e., the Greek philosopher Socrates, who received a very concentrated infusion of hemlock.

2. Fighter or Wolfsbane

Ninth place in the list of the most famous poisons is taken by Borets - a genus of perennial poisonous plants, growing in damp places along the banks of rivers in Europe, Asia and North America. The poison of this plant causes asphyxia, which leads to suffocation. Poisoning can occur even after touching the leaves without gloves, since the poison is absorbed very quickly and easily. According to legend, Emperor Claudius was poisoned by the poison of this plant. It was also used to lubricate bolts for the Chu Ko Nu crossbow, one of the unusual ancient types of weapons.

3. Belladonna or Belladonna

The name belladonna comes from the Italian word and translates as “beautiful woman.” In the old days, this plant was used for cosmetic purposes - Italian women dropped belladonna juice into their eyes, the pupils dilated, and the eyes acquired a special shine. The berries were also rubbed on the cheeks to give them a “natural” blush. It is one of the most poisonous plants in the world. All its parts are toxic and contain atropine, which can cause severe poisoning.

4. Dimethylmercury

Dimethylmercury is a colorless liquid and one of the most powerful neurotoxins. Hit 0.1 ml. this liquid on the skin is already fatal for humans. It is interesting that symptoms of poisoning begin to appear after several months have passed, which is already too late for effective treatment. In 1996, inorganic chemist Karen Wetterhahn was conducting experiments at Dartmouth College in New Hampshire and spilled one drop of this liquid on her gloved hand - dimethylmercury was absorbed into the skin through the latex gloves. Symptoms appeared four months later, and Karen died ten months later.

5. Tetrodotoxin

Tetrodotoxin is found in two sea creatures - blue-ringed octopus and in Fugu fish. The octopus is the most dangerous because it deliberately injects its venom, killing its prey within minutes. It has enough poison to kill 26 adults within minutes. The bites are often painless, so many people only realize they have been bitten when paralysis occurs. But fugu fish is only lethal when eaten. But if the fish is cooked correctly, it is harmless.

6. Polonium

Polonium is a radioactive poison and a slow killer. One gram of polonium vapor can kill about 1.5 million people in just a couple of months. The most famous case of poisoning allegedly with polonium-210 was that of Alexander Litvinenko. Polonium was found in his cup of tea - a dose 200 times the average lethal dose. He died three weeks later.

7. Mercury

Mercury is a relatively rare element that at room temperature is a heavy, silvery-white liquid. Only vapors and soluble mercury compounds are poisonous, causing severe poisoning. Metallic mercury does not have a noticeable effect on the body. Famous case death from mercury (allegedly) is the Austrian composer Amadeus Mozart.

8. Cyanide

Cyanide is a deadly poison that results in internal asphyxia. The lethal dose of cyanide for humans is 1.5 mg. per kilogram of body weight. Cyanide was usually sewn into the collars of the shirts of scouts and spies. In addition, the poison was used in gaseous form in Nazi Germany for mass murder in gas chambers during the Holocaust. It is a proven fact that Rasputin was poisoned with several lethal doses of cyanide, but he never died, but was drowned.

9. Botulinum toxin

Botulinum toxin is the most powerful poison known to science among organic toxins and substances in general. The poison causes severe toxic damage - botulism. Death occurs from hypoxia caused by impaired oxygen metabolism, asphyxia of the respiratory tract, paralysis of the respiratory muscles and cardiac muscle. And now scientists will not answer the question of what poison is the most powerful in the world. Some of the most strong poisons are toxins from botulism and tetanus. The source of botulism infection is homemade preparations.

Botulinum toxin is produced by the bacteria Clostridium botulinum, which are the causative agents of the most dangerous disease - botulism. This is the most powerful poison of organic nature and one of the strongest poisons in the world. In the last century, botulinum toxin was part of the arsenals of chemical weapons, but at the same time, active research was conducted regarding its use in medicine. And today, a huge number of people who want to at least temporarily restore the smoothness of their skin are experiencing the influence of this terrible poison, which is part of the popular drug Botox, which once again confirms the validity of the famous saying of the great Paracelsus: “Everything is poison, everything - medicine; both are determined by the dose.”

10. Arsenic

Arsenic was recognized as the “king of poisons.” Arsenic poisoning causes symptoms similar to those of cholera (abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea). Arsenic, like Belladonna (item 8), was used in ancient times by women to make their faces pale white. There is an assumption that Napoleon was poisoned on the island of St. Helena with arsenic compounds.

11. Methanol, or methyl alcohol

Is very dangerous poison. This is explained by the fact that it is easy to confuse it with ordinary wine alcohol, since they are indistinguishable in taste and smell. Fake alcoholic drinks sometimes made on the basis methyl alcohol, but without an examination it is impossible to determine the presence of methanol. Unfortunately, the consequences of consuming such drinks are irreversible; at best, a person becomes blind.

12. Snake venom

There are more than two and a half thousand species of reptiles, but only about 250 species are poisonous. The most famous are common vipers, cobras, rattlesnakes, black mambas, small snakes - sand frets. Poisonous snakes are unpleasant neighbors. People have long found out that snake venom is dangerous only when it enters the human bloodstream. And, since humanity has been dealing with snakes for many millennia, it is not surprising that it was while studying the effects of snake venom on animals and humans that the first antidote was created in 1895 - antisnake serum. By the way, there is no universal antidote even in case of poisoning snake venom, for each species of snakes its own antitoxin is created - for king cobra- one, for vipers - another, for rattlesnakes - a third.

13. Vi-Ex (VX)

VX, or, as it is also called, VI gas, belongs to the category of chemical warfare gases that have a nerve-paralytic effect. It was also born as a new pesticide, but soon the military began to use it for their own purposes. Symptoms of poisoning with this gas appear within 1 minute after inhalation or contact with the skin, and death occurs within 10-15 minutes.

14. Bacillus anthrax

Anthrax is a very serious, rapidly developing disease caused by the bacteria Bacillus anthracis. There are several forms of anthrax. The most “harmless” one is the skin one. Even without treatment, the mortality rate from this form does not exceed 20%. The intestinal form kills about half of those sick, but the pulmonary form is almost certain death. Even with the help the latest techniques modern doctors manage to save no more than 5% of patients.

15. Sarin

Sarin was created by German scientists trying to synthesize a powerful pesticide. But this dark glory deadly poison, which causes quick but very painful death, was acquired not in agricultural fields, but as a chemical weapon. Sarin was produced by the ton for military purposes for decades, and it was only in 1993 that its production was banned. But despite calls for the complete destruction of all stocks of this substance, both terrorists and the military still use it in our time.

16. Amatoxins

Amatoxins are a whole group of protein poisons contained in poisonous mushrooms of the amanita family, including the deadly toadstool. The particular danger of these poisons lies in their “slowness”. Once they enter the human body, they immediately begin their destructive activity, but the victim begins to feel the first discomfort no earlier than 10 hours later, and sometimes several days later, when it is already very difficult for doctors to do anything. Even if such a patient can be saved, he will still suffer for the rest of his life from painful dysfunctions of the liver, kidneys and lungs.

In summer and autumn, the time comes for seasonal mushroom poisoning - by the way, these are the most accessible poisonous substances today. Most famous poisonous mushrooms- false honey mushrooms, pale grebe, lines and fly agarics. The most commonly poisoned is the toadstool, since it has many varieties, sometimes indistinguishable from edible mushrooms, and one such mushroom can lead to the death of several people. False honey mushrooms- the most common poisonous mushrooms. Although the Germans have learned to prepare fly agarics in such a way that they are not poisoned by them, it is true that it takes them a lot of time to prepare these mushrooms - they boil them for days. True, the question arises - why do they need fly agaric mushrooms when you can just take other mushrooms for food? And of course, we must remember the rules for storing cooked mushrooms; even edible mushrooms can become poisonous if the shelf life is violated.

17. Strychnine

Strychnine in large quantities found in the nuts of the tropical chilibuha tree. It was from them that it was obtained in 1818 by the French chemists Pelletier and Cavantou. In small doses, strychnine can be used as a medicine that increases metabolic processes, improves heart function and treats paralysis. It was even actively used as an antidote for barbiturate poisoning. However, it is one of the most powerful poisons. Its lethal dose is even less than the famous potassium cyanide, but it acts much more slowly. Death from strychnine poisoning occurs after about half an hour of terrible agony and severe convulsions.

18. Potatoes and grains

Regular potatoes or bread can also be poisonous. When stored improperly, potatoes accumulate the substance solanine, which causes poisoning to the body. And bread becomes poisonous if flour was used to make it and contained cereals contaminated with ergot. We are not talking about fatal poisoning, but it is quite possible to ruin your health with such products. An ear affected by ergot. In addition, there are many household chemicals and fertilizers, which can also cause poisoning. For example, potassium chloride is the most common fertilizer, but if it gets into the bloodstream it becomes deadly, since potassium ions block the activity of the heart.

19. Curare

The most famous poison In South America, the most famous poison is curare, a poison plant origin, there are several subtypes of this poison. It causes paralysis of the respiratory system. Initially it was used for hunting animals, but in the 20th century it was successfully used in medicine. Curare is the most famous poison among the Indians.

20. Batrachotoxin

From natural poisons Batrachotoxin is very dangerous; it is secreted by the skin of small but dangerous amphibians - dart frogs, fortunately, they can only be found in Colombia. One such frog contains so much toxic substance that it is enough to destroy several elephants. There is no need for a poison frog to hide. In addition, there are radioactive poisons, such as polonium. It acts slowly, but only 1 gram of this substance is needed to destroy one and a half million people. Snake venom, curare, potassium cyanide - they are all inferior to the above poisons. It's not just snakes that are poisonous. The most poisonous creature on Earth is the jellyfish.

21. Ricin

Ricin is an extremely powerful poison of plant origin. The greatest danger is inhaling its smallest grains. Ricin is about 6 times more powerful a poison than potassium cyanide, but it has not been used as a weapon of mass destruction due to purely technical difficulties. But various intelligence services and terrorists “love” this substance very much. Politicians and public figures with enviable regularity they receive letters stuffed with ricin. True, the case quite rarely ends in death, since the penetration of ricin through the lungs is quite low in efficiency. For a 100% result, ricin must be injected directly into the blood.

The most famous poisoners

The story of the Italian dynasty of Borgia poisoners, who elevated poisoning almost to the level of art, is unique. Everyone without exception was afraid of their invitation to the feast. The most famous representatives of this family for their treachery are Pope Alexander VI Borgia and his children: son Cesare, who became a cardinal, and daughter Lucrezia. This family had their own poison, "cantarella", supposedly containing arsenic, phosphorus and copper salts. It is known that the head of the family himself ultimately paid with his life for his treachery, having mistakenly drunk a cup of poison that he had prepared for another. Secret rings became the weapon of poisoners in the Middle Ages. In France, arsenic was used by women, the most famous of them was Catherine de Medici, who became Queen of France. There were also poisoners of lower rank - favorites of kings, marquises, baronesses and wives of jewelers. It is believed that Napoleon was poisoned with arsenic.

Trying to figure out which poison is the strongest in nature is doomed to failure - too many variables affect the results. However, if we take only one parameter - the average lethal dose, only one type of living beings - laboratory mice, only one route of administration - intramuscular, and evaluate not whole poisons, but their individual components, then some idea of the “ideal killers” can be obtained .

The average lethal dose, DL50 (lat. dosis letalis), causes the death of half of the experimental animals (DL100 is the dose minimally sufficient for all who received it). DL is measured in milligrams of a substance per 1 kg of animal body weight (mg/kg); in our rating it is indicated in parentheses after the name of the substance. So, the top 10 most toxic poisons with DL50 - for mice when administered intramuscularly.

Neurotoxin II (0.085 mg/kg)

Source: component of the poison of the Central Asian (Naja oxiana).

The venom of this snake is extremely strong. When bitten, it has a neurotoxic effect. After the bite, the victim is lethargic, but soon convulsions begin, breathing becomes more frequent and shallow. Death occurs after some time due to paralysis of the respiratory tract. Local manifestations (hematomas, tumors) do not occur with a Central Asian bite.

Despite the danger, this snake bites quite rarely, preferring to take a defensive pose when danger approaches, and hisses loudly, raising the front part of the body and spreading the front eight pairs of cervical ribs to the sides in such a way that the flattened neck expands in the form of a “hood”. Usually, this is enough to convince the enemy to retreat. Although, even if the enemy does not heed the warnings, this is not always followed by a bite. First, the cobra delivers a false bite - throwing the front part of the body sharply forward and hitting the enemy with its head. The mouth is closed during this blow. In this way, the snake protects its own from possible injury.

The Central Asian cobra, whose length reaches 1.5-1.6 m, is common in northwestern India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and northeastern Iran. IN Central Asia this snake is found in Turkmenistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. The northern border of the range is the Nura-Tau ridge and the Bel-Tau-Ata mountains, the western border is the spurs of the Turkestan ridge.

Antidote: it is recommended to administer Anticobra serum or polyvalent antisnake serum, use of anticholinesterase drugs in combination with atropine, corticosteroids, and antihypoxants. In case of deep breathing disorders, artificial ventilation of the lungs is necessary.

Alpha-latrotoxin (0.045 mg/kg)

Source: Contained in the venom of 31 species of spiders of the genus Latrodectus (karakurt).

A neurotoxin that causes the release of acetylcholine, norepinephrine and other mediators from presynaptic terminals, followed by depletion of their reserves.

At the moment of a bite, an immediate burning pain is most often felt (in some sources, the bite is painless), which spreads throughout the body within 15-30 minutes. Typically, patients complain of unbearable pain in the abdomen, lower back, and chest. Characterized by sharp abdominal muscles. Shortness of breath, palpitations, increased heart rate, dizziness, headache, tremor, vomiting, pallor or flushing of the face, sweating, a feeling of heaviness in the chest and epigastric areas, exophthalmos and dilated pupils. The face takes on a bluish tint. Priapism, bronchospasm, urinary and defecatory retention are also characteristic. Psychomotor agitation in the later stages of poisoning is replaced by deep depression, blackouts, and delirium. Known deaths in humans and farm animals. After 3-5 days, the skin becomes covered with a rash, and the victim’s condition improves somewhat. Recovery begins after 2-3 weeks, but long time feels general weakness.

Karakurts (“black widows”) live in tropical, subtropical and even temperate latitudes on all continents except Antarctica. Only females are dangerous (their body size is up to 2 cm). Males are much smaller (0.5 cm) and are not able to bite through human skin. The toxicity of the poison has a pronounced seasonal dependence: the September one is about ten times more powerful than the May one.

Antidote: antikarakurt serum.

Alpha-conotoxin (0.012 mg/kg)

Source: component of the complex venom of the mollusk Conus geographus (geographic cone).

A neurotoxin that blocks H-cholinergic receptors in muscles and peripheral nerves.

Cones are very active when touched in their habitat. Their toxic apparatus consists of a poisonous gland connected by a duct to a hard proboscis by a radula-grater located at the wide end of the shell, with sharp spines that replace the mollusk’s teeth. If you take the shell in your hands, the mollusk instantly extends the radula and thrusts spines into the body. The injection is accompanied by acute pain leading to loss of consciousness, numbness of the fingers, strong heartbeat, shortness of breath, and sometimes paralysis. In the Pacific Islands, cases of shell collectors dying from cone stings have been recorded.

The cone shells are 15-20 cm long. Habitat is the eastern and northern coasts of Australia, east coast Southeast Asia and China and the Central Pacific region.

Antidote: There is no antidote. The only measure is copious bloodletting from the injection site.

Chiriquitotoxin (0.01 mg/kg)

Source: Produced by the skin of the toad Atelopus chiriquiensis.

A structural analogue of tetrodotoxin - it differs only in the replacement of the CH2OH group with an as yet unidentified radical. Neurotoxin, blocks sodium and potassium channels in the membranes of nerve endings.

Causes impaired coordination of movements, convulsions, incomplete paralysis of the limbs.

Small (males - about 3 cm, females - 3.5-5 cm) toads with beautiful name Chiriquitas are found on the isthmus between North and South America - in Panama and Costa Rica. The species is endangered. The toxin is produced by the skin of the chirikit, and the toxicity, we recall, was assessed when administered intramuscularly.

Antidote

Tityutoxin (0.009 mg/kg)

Source: one of the components of the venom of the yellow fat-tailed scorpion (Androctonus australis).

Neurotoxin slows down the inactivation of fast sodium channels of electrically excitable membranes, which leads to the development of persistent depolarization.

The venom of the yellow fat-tailed scorpion is produced in two enlarged glands located immediately behind the sting, which looks like a barb at the end of the tail. They are what give Scorpios the “fat” appearance. It also differs from other scorpions in the color of its sting - from dark brown to black. The venom of the fat-tailed scorpion is so toxic that it can even kill an adult human. Mainly eats small insects, such as locusts or beetles, but easily deals with a small lizard or mouse. As soon as the victim stops resisting, the scorpion dismembers the body into small parts using sharp claws.

This type of scorpion is associated with up to 80% of all serious poisonings and up to 95% of deaths from scorpion injections.

Androctonus australis are medium-sized scorpions up to 10 cm long. They are not related to Australia: australis in Latin means “southern”, and androctonus in Greek means “murderer”. Found in the Middle East, north and southeast Africa (Algeria, Tunisia, Lebanon, Israel, Egypt, Jordan, UAE, Iraq, Iran, etc.).

Antidote: antitoxic serum “Antiscorpion”. Antikarakurt serum can be used as a slightly less effective replacement.

Tetrodotoxin (0.008 mg/kg)

Source: produced and accumulated in the tissues of fish of the Tetraodontidae family, the mollusk BabyIonia japonica and a close relative of the chirikit, the toad Atelopus varius.

Neurotoxin, selectively blocks sodium channels in the membranes of nerve endings.

This is a dangerous poison that, once in digestive tract, causes severe pain, convulsions and usually leads to death.

Some species of the Tetraodontidae family (four-toothed, also known as rock-toothed, dogfish and pufferfish) reach a length of up to half a meter. Both these fish and the dish made from them are called “fugu” in Japan. The poison is contained in the liver, milk, caviar, intestines and skin, so only specially trained chefs are allowed to prepare fugu, who remove the poisonous organs using a separate method for each type. If pufferfish meat is prepared by ignorant amateurs, then in 60 cases out of 100, trying such a dish leads to death. And such cases are still not uncommon. According to a Japanese proverb, “he who eats fugu is a fool, but he who does not eat is also a fool.”
The habitat of puffer fish is from the northern coast of Australia to the northern coast of Japan and from the southern coast of China to the eastern islands of Oceania.

The mollusk Babylonia japonica has a very beautiful sink classic spiral shape 40-85 mm long. Habitat: the coast of the Korean Peninsula, Taiwan and Japan.

Toads Atelopus varius (Atelop variegated) are small, 2.5-4 cm, and if you are “lucky” you can stumble upon them only in the jungles of Panama and Costa Rica.

Antidote: There is no specific antidote; detoxification and symptomatic therapy is carried out.

Typoxin (typotoxin) (0.002 mg/kg)

Source: component of the poison itself poisonous snake on land - the Australian taipan (Oxyuranus scutellatus). Before the development of the antidote (1955), up to 90% of those bitten died.

A presynaptic toxin has phospholipase activity and causes a characteristic release of nerve impulse mediators (weakening of secretion, strengthening and, finally, its complete inhibition). Has neurotoxic and myotoxic effects.

Taipan is very aggressive. When in danger, it curls and vibrates the end of its tail. Snakes are most aggressive during the mating period and skin change, but this does not mean that at other times they are peaceful and docile.

Taipans reach a length of 2 to 3.6 m. They have a very aggressive character, but, fortunately, they are found only in sparsely populated areas on the north-eastern coast of Australia and the south of New Guinea.

Antidote: antitoxic taipan serum.

Batrachotoxin (0.002 mg/kg)

Source: skin secretion of leaf-climbing frogs of the genus Phyllobates.

It has a strong cardiotoxic effect, causing extrasystoles and fibrillation of the ventricles of the heart, paralyzing the respiratory muscles, myocardium and skeletal muscles. Persistently and irreversibly increases the permeability of the resting membrane for sodium ions and blocks axonal transport.

The poisonousness of these frogs is such that you can’t even touch them. The skin secretions of leafhoppers contain alkaloids-batrachotoxins, which, when ingested, cause arrhythmia, fibrillation and cardiac arrest.

Tree frogs do not exceed 5 cm in length and are usually brightly colored in gold, black-orange and black-yellow (warning coloration). If you get carried away South America from Nicaragua to Colombia - don't grab them with your hands.

Antidote: There is no specific antidote; detoxification and symptomatic therapy is carried out. A strong antagonist is tetrodotoxin - wedge by wedge...

Palytoxin (0.00015 mg/kg)

Source: contained in the rays of the six-rayed coral polyps Palythoa toxica, P. tuberculosa, P. сaribacorum.

Cytotoxic poison. Damages the sodium-potassium pump of cells, disrupting the gradient of ion concentrations between the cell and the intercellular environment. Causes pain in the chest, as with angina, tachycardia, difficulty breathing, hemolysis. Death occurs within the first few minutes after the injection into the polyp.

The body of these polyps - inhabitants of the coral reefs of the Indian and Pacific Oceans- consists not of eight, as in ordinary corals, but of six or of more than eight, the number of rays located on several corollas, usually a multiple of six.

Antidote: There is no specific antidote; symptomatic therapy is carried out. Animal studies suggest that simple vasodilators such as papaverine or isosorbide dinitrate may be effective.

Diamphotoxin (0.000025 Kmg/kg)

Source: the most powerful poison of animal origin on our planet, contained in the hemolymph (“blood”) of the larvae of the South African leaf beetle of the genus Diamphidia (D.Кlocusta, D.Кnigro-ornata, D.Кfemoralis), belonging to the same family with all known pests - Colorado potato beetle. Designed solely for protection from predators.

A single-chain polypeptide that opens all sodium-potassium channels in the cell membrane “for entry”, as a result of which the cell dies due to an imbalance in the intracellular electrolyte balance. It has a neurotoxic and especially pronounced hemolytic effect; in a short period of time it reduces the hemoglobin content in the blood by 75% due to the massive destruction of red blood cells. Bushmen still use crushed larvae of diamphidia: an arrow smeared with this liquid can knock down an adult 500-kilogram giraffe.

Adult beetles reach 10-12 mm in length. Females lay eggs on the branches of Commiphora plants. The larvae burrow into the ground, pupate and develop into a pupa over several years. Therefore, finding Diamphidia cocoons is not a problem for hunters.

Antidote: There is no specific antidote. Carry out detoxification and symptomatic therapy.

Let's start with the “king” of poisons – Arsenic. Until 1832, arsenic poisoning was extremely difficult to diagnose, since the symptoms of poisoning with this poison were similar to those of cholera. This similarity made it possible to mask the use of arsenic and its compounds as a deadly poison.

In acute arsenic poisoning, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and depression of the central nervous system are observed.

Antidote: aqueous solution of sodium thiosulfate, dimercaprol.

Cyanide

Potassium cyanide, or potassium cyanide, is the most powerful inorganic poison. It looks like granulated sugar.

When it enters the body, the cells stop absorbing oxygen, resulting in the body dying from interstitial hypoxia. Potassium cyanide is absorbed very quickly and therefore death occurs within 15 minutes.

Sarin gas

Sarin gas is a poisonous substance with a nerve-paralytic effect.

The first signs of exposure to sarin include nasal discharge, chest congestion, and constriction of the pupils. Soon after this, the victim has difficulty breathing, nausea and increased salivation. The victim then completely loses control over bodily functions. This phase is accompanied by convulsions. Ultimately, the victim falls into a comatose state and suffocates in a fit of convulsive spasms followed by cardiac arrest.

Antidote: Atropine, Pralidoxime, Diazepam, Athens.

Diamphotoxin

Diamphotoxin is the most powerful poison of animal origin on our planet, contained in the blood of the larvae of the South African leaf beetle.

It is capable of reducing the hemoglobin content in the blood by 75% in a short period of time due to the massive destruction of red blood cells.

Antidote: There is no specific antidote.

Ricin

Ricin is the most powerful poison of plant origin, which is obtained from castor beans of the castor bean plant.

A few grains are enough to kill an adult. Ricin kills cells in the human body, preventing it from producing the proteins it needs, resulting in organ failure. A person can become poisoned by ricin through inhalation or ingestion.

If inhaled, symptoms of poisoning usually appear within 8 hours of exposure and include difficulty breathing, fever, cough, nausea, sweating and chest tightness.

If ingested, symptoms appear in less than 6 hours and include nausea, low blood pressure, hallucinations and seizures. Death can occur within 36-72 hours.