Every month, we post a new article covering the latest trends and updates on harmful substances. We share information and safety tips on trending poison topics so that you and your family will know how to avoid these harmful substances and know what to do if you encounter them.
Many mental health medications walk the line between helping those who need them and harming those who don’t. Benzodiazepines pose a risk of addiction, withdrawal, and misuse, but when taken appropriately, they reduce anxiety, can aid sleep, and help with symptoms of seizures. It’s important to know the facts about…
Rodents are moving inside for the winter, which means trying to prevent or manage infestations. Although it may seem like purchasing rodenticides will be the fastest way to solve the problem, there are banned rodenticides circulating on the internet that may put you, your family, or your neighborhood at risk…
It’s one of those things at the back of your mind: Kids will pick up, chew, and swallow anything they can get their hands on. But it’s not until it actually happens that you find yourself asking, “Why… that?” We’re going in depth on why kids swallow some of the…
Accidental poisonings are nothing new, and neither is trying to treat them at home. However, there is a problem with many historic and new self-treatment methods: they may cause more harm than the poison someone touched or ingested. In this article, we're going over common DIY treatments for poisonings and…
“Bet you’ve never heard this happen before!” Poison Centers across America are open all day, seven days a week, to take calls about potential poisonings. Callers often begin with the quote above, but believe it or not, many situations are common even if they don’t feel like it in the…
We often associate diseases like dysentery with the pioneers of old. Seldom do we hear stories like that happening in the 21st century. This is because of a major US public health initiative to disinfect public water supplies with chlorine. But is it completely safe? Isn’t chlorine toxic? It’s a…
The war on drugs began in many of our lifetimes. "Magic mushrooms," or mushrooms containing the psychedelic chemical psilocybin, continue to be surrounded by the negative stigma garnered back in the 1960s. As new research emerges suggesting the potential for psychedelics to treat a variety of mental ailments, will we…
What is moonshine? Moonshine is a type of alcohol that has roots in illegal sales and production, but may be legally distilled today depending on location. Improper home distillation may produce methanol, which is dangerous to consume. Modern day moonshine is categorized as unaged whiskey usually with a base of…
We’ve all seen the little dietary supplements at gas stations: the ones that are supposed to give you energy while driving or improve your immune system. But some dietary supplements aren’t what they seem. Clever packaging allows drugs that elicit mood-altering responses to hide amidst the gas station shelves. What…
What is ketamine? Ketamine is an anesthetic with high therapeutic and misuse potential. It may produce psychedelic effects at certain doses. It’s used to induce anesthesia, aid treatment-resistant depression, pain management, and treat addiction. Ketamine targets the NMDA receptor in the brain, which is responsible for things like memory and…