The Poisoner's Almanac

If you’re struggling, consider therapy with our sponsor. Visit  https://betterhelp.com/almanac for a discount on your first month of therapy. If you have questions about the brand relating to how the therapists are credentialed, their privacy policy, or therapist compensation, here is an overview written by the YouTube creators behind the channel Cinema Therapy that goes into these topics:  https://www.reddit.com/r/cinema_therapy/comments/1dpriql/addressing_the_betterhelp_concerns_headon_deep/  Hello poison friends! This episode has taken some time to get here, and I apologize. We had to re-record everything because things just went crazy. It is our first regular episode that is available on video, after all, and of course there were tech issues we did not foresee. However, here we are and I am excited to bring you an explanation of an illness you may have seen recently in the news, especially in relation to the deaths of the actor Gene Hackman, his wife, and dog. While Gene did have advanced Alzheimer’s disease, his the autopsy of his wife, Betsy Arakawa shows that she died of Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome. This is a rare, but potentially deadly, illness spread by the droppings, urine, or saliva of rodents, mainly deer mice here in America. While in other parts of the world such as Europe and Asia, it results in kidney problems and failure, the strain typically found in the Americas causes pulmonary/respiratory distress and higher rates of death as a result. There have been outbreaks of this illness such as that in the 1990s among the Four Corners region of the US, and we go into detail about that as well. So where could Betsy Arakawa have contracted this illness? Let’s discuss and avoid unhealthy assumptions, shall we?  Just FYI, I wanted to discuss more than one zoonotic disease this episode, but Adam has been holding me accountable to not overdoing it. So yeah, we are going to be discussing another virus next week that is more “furious.” It is older and more well known and even has ties with Greek Mythology. Any guesses? Thank you to all of our listeners and supporters! Please feel free to leave a comment or send us a DM for any questions, suggestions, or just to say, "hi." Support us on Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/thepoisonersalmanac⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [http://patreon.com/thepoisonersalmanac] Follow us on socials: The Poisoner's Almanac on IG- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/poisoners_almanac?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/poisoners_almanac?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==] Adam- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@studiesshow?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@studiesshow?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc] Becca- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@yobec0?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc⁠⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@yobec0?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc]

If you’re struggling, consider therapy with our sponsor. Visit  https://betterhelp.com/almanac for a discount on your first month of therapy. If you have questions about the brand relating to how the therapists are credentialed, their privacy policy, or therapist compensation, here is an overview written by the YouTube creators behind the channel Cinema Therapy that goes into these topics:  https://www.reddit.com/r/cinema_therapy/comments/1dpriql/addressing_the_betterhelp_concerns_headon_deep/  Hey poison friends! We are back with another episode on fungi. It has been awhile since we spoke on some of our favorite poisonous mushrooms, but this time I wanted to discuss the subject of molds. Toxic black mold has long been a subject of debate within the medical community concerning just how toxic it can be to humans. Certainly, it affects those with allergies to it, chronic respiratory issues such as asthma, cystic fibrosis, and COPD. It has also been shown to cause pulmonary hemorrhage in infants and in animal studies. So let's discuss how mold grows and how it causes symptoms such as headaches, breathing problems, and confusion for some. We also need to take a look at possible deaths that were related to toxic black mold. We are also discussing invasive fungal infections this episode. No, not that bad case of ringworm or athletes foot, although those are certainly annoying. I mean that which infects the respiratory system or invades through broken skin and spreads around causing havoc in our bodies. There have been millions of deaths every year related to invasive fungal infections, many of which are related to immunosuppression such as with HIV or those on immunosuppressive drugs longterm. There are various fungi that can invade the body, but this time we are focusing on Aspergillus (causing aspergillosis). I could not do another episode on fungi without including some fun ones such as whiskey fungus and radiotrophic fungi. Nor could I leave out the subject of one of the most well known video games/shows these days: The Last of Us. Yep, we are also going in to cordyceps and how it hijacks it hosts, leading them to an unfortunate demise so it can propagate more of the parasitic fungi. I promise to end on a fun note though with the cutest blue mushroom you've ever seen. Thank you to all of our listeners and supporters! Please feel free to leave a comment or send us a DM for any questions, suggestions, or just to say, "hi." Support us on Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/thepoisonersalmanac⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [http://patreon.com/thepoisonersalmanac] Follow us on socials: The Poisoner's Almanac on IG- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/poisoners_almanac?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/poisoners_almanac?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==] Adam- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@studiesshow?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@studiesshow?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc] Becca- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@yobec0?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@yobec0?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc]

If you’re struggling, consider therapy with our sponsor. Visit  https://betterhelp.com/almanac for a discount on your first month of therapy. If you have questions about the brand relating to how the therapists are credentialed, their privacy policy, or therapist compensation, here is an overview written by the YouTube creators behind the channel Cinema Therapy that goes into these topics:  https://www.reddit.com/r/cinema_therapy/comments/1dpriql/addressing_the_betterhelp_concerns_headon_deep/  Hello poison friends! I swear I am not making these this long on purpose! We are discussing art and history and poison and I just got too excited to leave anything out! We are discussing, in detail, toxic paints of the past and the artists that used them, including Vincent Van Gogh, Caravaggio and others. We also discuss a few famous musicians that may have been affected by lead poisoning. I may have gone pretty deep into the history of some of these artists, but they are fascinating. Vincent Van Gogh had many physical and mental ailments and they may very well have been exacerbated by the many toxic paints he was in contact with. Caravaggio had many an issue with anger and brawling and when researchers found and studied his bones, they were full of lead. Lead in wine may be why musicians such Handel and Beethoven lost their sight and hearing (respectively) and suffered other physical and mental ailments.  We also go into more detail with dyes used in fashion as well as the mercurial process of hat making in the past. Deadly dresses (for many a reason), poisonous waistcoats, toxic wallpaper and toys. Let’s not forget the uranium glazed kitchenware from the early-mid 1900s. Do we have any collectors here? I also made a promise to talk about epoxy and polyester resins so we do briefly discuss that as well.  Thank you to all of our listeners and supporters! Please feel free to leave a comment or send us a DM for any questions, suggestions, or just to say, "hi." Support us on Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/thepoisonersalmanac⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [http://patreon.com/thepoisonersalmanac] Follow us on socials: The Poisoner's Almanac on IG- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/poisoners_almanac?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/poisoners_almanac?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==] Adam- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@studiesshow?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@studiesshow?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc] Becca- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@yobec0?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@yobec0?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc]

If you’re struggling, consider therapy with our sponsor. Visit  https://betterhelp.com/almanac for a discount on your first month of therapy. If you have questions about the brand relating to how the therapists are credentialed, their privacy policy, or therapist compensation, here is an overview written by the YouTube creators behind the channel Cinema Therapy that goes into these topics:  https://www.reddit.com/r/cinema_therapy/comments/1dpriql/addressing_the_betterhelp_concerns_headon_deep/  What is up, poison friends! This is a long one, because I was too stubborn to make it two parts. I feel it is time we discuss Measles. It is making a bit of a come back in Europe and in the US, but I don't think many people know much about the illness apart from it involving a rash and such. Measles is one of the most contagious diseases that we know of. It is not the same as chicken pox (though that one does such as well), and it can lead to lasting disabilities and death in some cases, especially in young children. Many of you may have seen the recent death of a Texas child because of Measles, for instance. While there are people who get through the virus unscathed, we cannot predict who will end up dying or left with longterm complications (even some that do not show up until years after the original infection). It is estimated that 1 in five people who catch measles will end up hospitalized. We also discuss Mumps and Rubella this episode, because the typical vaccine for Measles also protects agains these two as well. Speaking of vaccines, we just had to go into the ingredients, purpose, and mechanisms of those in general and in the MMR vaccine specifically. Lastly, we need to discuss where the anti-vaccination stuff started and that involves the history of Andrew Wakefield and his fraudulent paper that was later retracted. This is the man who put forth (and still promotes) the reason for fears that have led to a decline in childhood vaccines. He lost his medical license but still makes good money off his supporters. Let's get into it! Thank you to all of our listeners and supporters! Please feel free to leave a comment or send us a DM for any questions, suggestions, or just to say, "hi." Support us on Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/thepoisonersalmanac⁠⁠⁠⁠ [http://patreon.com/thepoisonersalmanac] Follow us on socials: The Poisoner's Almanac on IG- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/poisoners_almanac?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/poisoners_almanac?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==] Adam- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@studiesshow?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@studiesshow?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc] Becca- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@yobec0?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@yobec0?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc]

If you’re struggling, consider therapy with our sponsor. Visit  https://betterhelp.com/almanac for a discount on your first month of therapy. If you have questions about the brand relating to how the therapists are credentialed, their privacy policy, or therapist compensation, here is an overview written by the YouTube creators behind the channel Cinema Therapy that goes into these topics:  https://www.reddit.com/r/cinema_therapy/comments/1dpriql/addressing_the_betterhelp_concerns_headon_deep/  Hello poison friends!! Spring is nearly upon us and I've been thinking about all the gardening possibilities but also the return of all the annoying pests that make gardening and being outside (especially in the South of the US) so difficult. So, I thought it would be a good time to discuss pesticides. Well, the ones we have not covered yet, because remember, arsenic, lead, mercury, cyanide, and many of the murderous elements and compounds we have discussed in the past were also used in pesticides. I wanted to go big this time and discuss those used in large scale agriculture or pest control for disease spreading insect (like those pesky and sometimes deadly mosquitoes). We are talking about the organochlorines (mainly DDT), the organophosphates (which were also involved in chemical warfare), and a few others that were used for more nefarious purposes...like murder. We are looking into the history, uses, abuses, and consequences (short term and long term) of such chemicals, as well as when and why some were banned in various places. The title here as a "double edged sword" really fits because, on the one hand, it kills disease causing insects, but there is always a cost... Thank you to all of our listeners and supporters! Please feel free to leave a comment or send us a DM for any questions, suggestions, or just to say, "hi." Support us on Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/thepoisonersalmanac⁠⁠⁠ [http://patreon.com/thepoisonersalmanac] Follow us on socials: The Poisoner's Almanac on IG- ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/poisoners_almanac?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/poisoners_almanac?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==] Adam- ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@studiesshow?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@studiesshow?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc] Becca- ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@yobec0?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@yobec0?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc]