The most powerful toxin. The most dangerous and deadly poisons in the world. Deadly poisons in nature

Trying to figure out if the poison is the strongest in nature is doomed to failure - too many variables affect the results. Nevertheless, if we take only one parameter - the average lethal dose, only one type of living beings - laboratory mice, only one route of administration - intramuscular, evaluate not whole poisons, but their individual components, then we can get some idea of \u200b\u200bthe "ideal killers" .

The average lethal dose, DL50 (lat. dosis letalis), causes the death of half of the experimental animals (DL100 is the dose that is the minimum sufficient for everyone 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 brackets after the name of the substance. So, the top 10 most toxic poisons with DL50 are for mice when administered intramuscularly.

Neurotoxin II (0.085 mg/kg)

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

The poison of this snake is extremely strong. When bitten, it has a neurotoxic effect. After the bite, the victim is lethargic, but soon convulsions begin to shake, breathing quickens, superficial. Death occurs after a while due to paralysis of the respiratory tract. Local manifestations (hematomas, tumors) do not occur with a bite of the Central Asian.

Despite the danger, this snake bites quite rarely, preferring to take a defensive posture 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 inflicts a fake bite - throwing the front of the body sharply forward and hitting the enemy with its head. The mouth is closed during this blow. Thus, 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 introduce anticobra serum or polyvalent anti-snake serum, the use of anticholinesterase drugs in combination with atropine, corticosteroids, antihypoxants. With deep respiratory disorders, artificial ventilation of the lungs is necessary.

Alpha-latrotoxin (0.045 mg/kg)

Source: contained in the poison of 31 species of spiders of the genus Latrodectus (karakurt).

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

At the time of the bite, an instant burning pain is most often felt (in some sources, the bite is painless), spreading throughout the body after 15-30 minutes. Usually patients complain of unbearable pain in the abdomen, lower back, 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 thoracic and epigastric regions, exophthalmos and dilated pupils. The face becomes bluish. Priapism, bronchospasm, urinary retention and defecation are also characteristic. Psychomotor agitation in the later stages of poisoning is replaced by deep depression, blackout of consciousness, and delirium. Deaths have been reported in humans and farm animals. After 3-5 days, the skin becomes covered with a rash, and the condition of the victim improves somewhat. Recovery begins in 2-3 weeks, but for a long time he feels general weakness.

Karakurts ("black widows") live in tropical, subtropical and even temperate latitudes on all continents except Antarctica. Only females are dangerous for them (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: September is about ten times more powerful than May.

Antidote: antikarakurt serum.

Alpha Conotoxin (0.012 mg/kg)

Source: component of the complex venom of the mollusk Conus geographus (geographical 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 with a radula-grater located at the wide end of the shell, with sharp spikes that replace the teeth of the mollusk. If you take the shell in your hands, the mollusk instantly pushes the radula and sticks spikes into the body. The injection is accompanied by acute, leading to loss of consciousness pain, numbness of the fingers, strong heartbeat, shortness of breath, and sometimes paralysis. In the Pacific Islands, shell collectors have been reported to have died from cone stings.

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

Antidote A: There is no antidote. The only measure is profuse bleeding from the injection site.

Chiriquitotoxin (0.01 mg/kg)

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

A structural analog of tetrodotoxin, it differs only in the replacement of the CH2OH group by a yet unidentified radical. Neurotoxin blocks sodium and potassium channels in the membranes of nerve endings.

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

Small (males - about 3 cm, females - 3.5-5 cm) toads with the beautiful name of chirikita are found on the isthmus between North and South America - in Panama and Costa Rica. The species is under threat of extinction. The toxin is produced by the skin of chirkit, and the toxicity, we recall, was evaluated when injected intramuscularly.

Antidote

Titiutoxin (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 just behind the sting, which looks like a thorn at the end of the tail. It is they who give the scorpions the appearance of "fat men". It differs from other scorpions in the color of the sting - from dark brown to black. The venom of the fat-tailed scorpion is so toxic that it can even kill an adult human. It feeds mainly on small insects such as locusts or beetles, but can easily deal with small lizards or mice. As soon as the victim ceases to resist, the scorpion dismembers the body into small parts with the help of sharp claws.

Up to 80% of all serious poisonings and up to 95% of deaths from scorpion stings are associated with this type of scorpion.

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

Antidote: antitoxic serum "Antiscorpion". As a slightly less effective replacement, Antikarakurt serum can be used.

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.

It is a dangerous poison that, once ingested, causes severe pain, convulsions, and usually death.

Some species of the Tetraodontidae family (four-toothed, they are also pufferfish, dogfish and pufferfish) reach a length of up to half a meter. Both these fish and the dish made from them are called "puffer" in Japan. The poison is found in the liver, milk, caviar, intestines and skin, so only specially trained chefs are allowed to cook fugu, who remove the poisonous organs according to 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 so far, such cases are 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 the 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 shell of a classic spiral shape 40-85 mm long. Habitat - the coast of the Korean Peninsula, Taiwan and Japan.

Toads Atelopus varius (variegated Atelopus) 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 (tipotoxin) (0.002 mg/kg)

Source: component of the venom of the most venomous snake on earth, the Australian taipan (Oxyuranus scutellatus). Before the development of an antidote (1955), up to 90% of those bitten died.

A presynaptic toxin that has phospholipase activity and causes a characteristic release of mediators in the conduction of a nerve impulse (weakening of secretion, intensification and, finally, its complete inhibition). It has neurotoxic and myotoxic effects.

Taipan is very aggressive. When threatened, it twists and vibrates with the tip of its tail. Snakes are most aggressive during the mating and skinning season, but that doesn't mean they are peaceful and docile at other times.

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 extrasystole and ventricular fibrillation, paralyzes the respiratory muscles, myocardium and skeletal muscles. Persistently and irreversibly increases the permeability of the resting membrane for sodium ions, blocks axonal transport.

The poisonousness of these frogs is such that you can even touch them. Skin secretions of leafolases contain batrachotoxin alkaloids, which, when ingested, cause arrhythmia, fibrillation, and cardiac arrest.

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

Antidote: there is no specific antidote, detoxification and symptomatic therapy is carried out. A strong antagonist is tetrodotoxin - wedge wedge ...

Palitoxin (0.00015 mg/kg)

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

cytotoxic poison. Damages the sodium-potassium pump of cells, disrupting the ion concentration gradient between the cell and the extracellular environment. Causes pain in the chest, as in angina pectoris, tachycardia, shortness of breath, hemolysis. Death occurs within the first few minutes after a polyp injection.

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

Antidote: there is no specific antidote, symptomatic therapy is carried out. Animal studies show that simple vasodilators like 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. Klocusta, D. Knigro-ornata, D. Kfemoralis), 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 input, as a result of which the cell dies due to intracellular electrolyte imbalance. It has a neurotoxic and especially pronounced hemolytic effect, in a short period to reduce the content of hemoglobin in the blood by 75% due to the massive destruction of red blood cells. Bushmen still use crushed diamphidian larvae: an arrow lubricated with this slurry can knock down an adult 500-kilogram giraffe.

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

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

10. In tenth place is the poison of the Central Asian cobra (Naja oxiana).

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.

The poison of this snake is extremely strong. After the bite, the victim becomes lethargic, but soon the body begins to shake convulsions, breathing quickens, becomes superficial. Without the necessary assistance, death occurs within a few minutes as a result of paralysis of the respiratory tract.

The main damaging component of the poison is neurotoxin II, the minimum sufficient dose (DL) is 0.085 mg / kg.

9. Ninth place is occupied by the poison of a spider that bears the title of "the most poisonous in the world" - a spider from the genus Karakurt (Latrodectus), which is also called the "black widow".

Karakurts ("black widows") live in tropical, subtropical and even temperate latitudes on all continents except Antarctica. Only females are dangerous to humans (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: September is about ten times more powerful than May.

At the time of the bite, an instant burning pain is most often felt (in some sources, the bite is painless), spreading throughout the body after 15–30 minutes. Usually patients complain of unbearable pain in the abdomen, lower back, chest. A sharp tension of the abdominal muscles is characteristic. Shortness of breath, palpitations, increased heart rate, dizziness, headache, tremor, vomiting, pallor or flushing of the face, sweating, a feeling of heaviness in the thoracic and epigastric regions, exophthalmos and dilated pupils. The face becomes bluish. Priapism, bronchospasm, urinary retention and defecation are also characteristic. Psychomotor agitation in the later stages of poisoning is replaced by deep depression, blackout of consciousness, and delirium.

The main damaging component of the poison is a substance called alpha-latrotoxin, the minimum sufficient dose of which is 0.045 mg / kg.

Antidote: anti-karakurt serum.

8. Eighth place behind the poison of the blue-ringed octopus (Hapalochlaena).

The blue-ringed octopus is a genus of octopuses that includes four known species that live in the coastal waters of Australia, the Philippines, Indonesia and New Guinea. They are found at a depth of up to 50 meters, and they can be found both near reefs and on the gently sloping coast. The weight of animals varies in the range of 10-100 grams. The body of all mollusks of this genus is covered with large blue rings. Octopus rings are different. In some (Hapalochlaena maculosa), the rings are visible only in an aggressive state, in a period of calm they do not appear.

The venom of the blue-ringed octopus is maculotoxin, more precisely, tetrodotoxin, a neurotoxic poison. It is produced not by the mollusk itself, but by the bacteria living in it.
The poison blocks sodium channels, leading to muscle paralysis, stopping the respiratory muscles and, as a result, the heart. However, if a paralyzed person is kept on artificial respiration, after a while, tetrodotoxin is neutralized by the body.

First aid for a blue-ringed octopus bite:

A tourniquet bandage above the bite, preventing the spread of poison throughout the body

Artificial respiration, which must be done even if the victim seems to be dead, because. the action of the poison leads to a state in which the victim is fully aware of what is happening, but cannot give any signal.

7. In seventh place is the poison of a mollusk that lives on the east and north coasts of Australia, as well as on the east coast of Southeast Asia and China. This mollusk is called Conus geographus, or simply Cone.

Mollusk shells are 15–20 cm long. The 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 with a radula-grater located at the wide end of the shell, with sharp spikes that replace the teeth of the mollusk. If you take the shell in your hands, the mollusk instantly pushes the radula and sticks spikes into the body.

The cone venom has a complex composition, the main damaging component is called alpha-conotoxin, the minimum sufficient dose is 0.012 mg / kg.

There is no antidote for shellfish toxin - it is not for nothing that it is considered the most poisonous snail in the world! The only measure is profuse bleeding from the injection site.

6. Yellow scorpion venom (Androctonus australis) in sixth place.

Androctonus australis are medium sized scorpions up to 10-12 cm long and living up to 5 years. They have nothing to do with Australia: australis in Latin is “southern”, and androctonus in Greek is “killer”. They are found in the Middle East, in the north and southeast of Africa (Algeria, Tunisia, Lebanon, Israel, Egypt, Jordan, UAE, Iraq, Iran, etc.). Up to 80% of all serious poisonings and up to 95% of deaths from scorpion stings are associated with this type of scorpion.

The bite of these extremely aggressive creatures can be fatal within seconds.

The venom of the yellow fat-tailed scorpion is produced in two enlarged glands located just behind the sting, which looks like a thorn at the end of the tail. It is they who give the scorpions the appearance of "fat men". It also differs from other scorpions in the color of the sting - from dark brown to black. Feeds mainly on small insects such as locusts or beetles, but easily kills small lizards or mice. As soon as the victim ceases to resist, the scorpion dismembers the body into small parts with the help of sharp claws.

The main damaging substance of the poison is titutoxin, the minimum sufficient dose is 0.009 mg / kg.

Antidote: antitoxic serum "Antiscorpion". As a slightly less effective replacement, Antikarakurt serum can be used. As a first aid, it is necessary to lubricate the wound with oil and apply a heating pad.

5. The fifth place is occupied by the poison of another representative of the seas - Fugu fish, belonging to the Tetraodontidae family.

Some species of the Tetraodontidae family (four-toothed, they are also pufferfish, dogfish and pufferfish) reach a length of up to half a meter. The habitat of the 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 main damaging substance of the poison is tetrodotoxin, the minimum sufficient dose is 0.008 mg / kg. The poison belongs to neurotoxins, when it enters the body, it blocks sodium channels in the nerve endings. Puffer fish poisoning is fatal in 60% of cases. Despite this, the Japanese and Koreans revere fugu as a delicacy and risk their lives for the sake of gastronomic pleasure. Maybe it's worth it?

Antidote: there is no special antidote; in case of poisoning, detoxification and symptomatic treatment are carried out.

4. Australian taipan (Oxyuranus scutellatus) - the poison of this most poisonous snake on earth takes fourth place.

Taipans reach a length of 2 to 3.6 m. They are distinguished by a very aggressive character, but, fortunately, they are found only in sparsely populated areas on the northeast coast of Australia and southern New Guinea. Taipan is very aggressive. When threatened, it twists its body and vibrates with the end of its tail. Snakes are most aggressive during the mating and skinning season, but that doesn't mean they are peaceful and docile at other times.

When bitten by a taipan, paralysis of the respiratory muscles occurs and blood clotting is disturbed. The venom of this snake is about a hundred times stronger than the venom of a cobra, and, without the use of antitoxic taipan serum, death after a bite occurs in 90% of cases. The amount of poison contained in one bite is capable of killing 100 people.

The main damaging component of the poison is a substance called taipotoxin, the minimum sufficient dose is no more than 0.002 mg / kg.

Antidote: antitoxic taipan serum.

3. Opens the top three poison poison dart frogs / leaf climbers, or rather one of their representatives, the most poisonous frog in the world from the genus "Phyllobates" - the terrible leaf climber (Phyllobates terribilis).

Frogs do not exceed 5 cm in length, usually brightly colored in gold, black-orange and black-yellow tones (warning coloration). If you will be brought to South America from Nicaragua to Colombia - do not grab them with your hands. A substance called batrachotoxin is secreted from the skin of these small, brightly colored frogs. It is so toxic that even its contact with the skin causes death. The poison has a strong cardiotoxic effect, causing extrasystoles and ventricular fibrillation, paralyzes the respiratory muscles, myocardium and skeletal muscles. Persistently and irreversibly increases the permeability of the resting membrane for sodium ions, blocks axonal transport.

The American Indians use these poisonous frogs to grease hunting arrows and blowpipe darts. Frogs are completely insensitive to their poison. The frogs themselves are not aggressive and do not rush at people, therefore the easiest and most effective way to protect against them is not to pick them up!

The poison of "Phyllobates terribilis" is stronger than the poison of curare and thousands of times stronger than potassium cyanide. An adult contains enough poison to kill about 1500 people!

The minimum sufficient dose is 0.002 mg/kg.

Antidote: currently does not exist. A strong antagonist is tetrodotoxin - wedge wedge ...

2. In second place is the substance palytoxin, produced by coral polyps Palythoa toxica, P. tuberculosa, P. caribacorum.

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

Palitoxin is a cytotoxic poison. With a lesion, death occurs within a few minutes as a result of a sharp narrowing of the coronary vessels and paralysis of the respiratory muscles.

Antidote: no. That's why it's in second place!

1. And, finally, the leader is the larvae of the leaf beetle of the genus Diamphidia (D.Klocusta, D.Knigro-ornata, D.Kfemoralis).

The leaf beetle lives in South Africa and is a distant relative of the common Colorado potato beetle. Adults reach 10-12 mm in length. Females lay their eggs on the branches of Commiphora plants. The larvae burrow into the ground, pupate, and develop to a pupa in a few years.

A single-chain polypeptide that opens all sodium-potassium channels in the cell membrane for input, as a result of which the cell dies due to intracellular electrolyte imbalance. It has a neurotoxic and especially pronounced hemolytic effect, is able to reduce the hemoglobin content in the blood by 75% in a short period of time due to the massive destruction of red blood cells. Bushmen still use crushed diamphidian larvae: an arrow lubricated with this slurry can knock down an adult 500-kilogram giraffe.

The substance diamphotoxin contained in their "blood" is the most powerful natural poison on the planet.

The minimum sufficient dose of diamphotoxin is 0.000025 mg/kg.

Antidote: None.

However, according to other scientists, the first place belongs to the box jellyfish (Cubozoa) or, as it is also called, the sea wasp, whose poison fatally affects skin cells, the nervous system and the heart. On account of this poisonous inhabitant of the deep seas of Asia and Australia, six thousand lives over the past sixty years.

The reputation of the most poisonous creature of the box jellyfish is somewhat spoiled by the fact that treating wounds from it with acetic acid immediately after receiving them significantly increases the chances of survival.

And one more fact. The Brazilian Wandering Spider (Phoneutria) or banana spider is listed in 2007 in the Guinness Book of Records for the maximum number of human deaths caused, and not so much because of its poisonousness, but because of its choice of a wide variety of places to attack people - buildings, cars, clothes, etc. shoes. What is called - not quality, so quantity!

Foods and drinks that are familiar to us can be deadly. And the simplest items contain poison. It turns out that the most powerful poisons are sometimes next to us, and we do not even know about it.

Dangerous Poisons

- Methanol, or methyl alcohol is a 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. Counterfeit alcoholic drinks are sometimes made on the basis of methyl alcohol, but without an examination it is impossible to establish the presence of methanol. Unfortunately, the consequences of drinking such drinks are irreversible, at best, a person goes blind.

Mercury. Everyone at home has the most common item - a mercury thermometer. It turns out that if mercury from two or three thermometers is poured into a medium-sized room, then this will already be enough to cause serious poisoning. True, elemental mercury itself is not dangerous, its vapors are dangerous, and it begins to evaporate already at room temperature. In addition to thermometers, the same type of mercury is found in fluorescent lamps. So be careful with them.

Snake poison. There are more than two and a half thousand species of reptiles, but only about 250 species are poisonous among them. The most famous are common vipers, cobras, rattlesnakes, black mambas, small sand snakes.

People have long found out that snake venom is dangerous only when it enters human blood. And, since mankind has been dealing with snakes for many millennia, it is not surprising that it was when studying the effects of snake venom on animals and humans in 1895 that they created the first antidote - anti-snake serum. By the way, there is no universal antidote even in the case of poisoning with snake venom, for each type of snake, its own antitoxin is created - for the king cobra - one, for vipers - another, for rattlesnakes - the third.

The fastest poison

There are many poisons, but potassium cyanide is still considered one of the fastest acting. Used since ancient times, it is probably the most famous "spy" poison: many agents in films and books use cyanide in ampoules or tablets. And about such a sign of it as the smell of "bitter almonds", probably everyone read in the wonderful detective stories of Agatha Christie.

You can get poisoned with cyanide not only by ingestion, but also by inhalation, by touching. Potassium cyanide is found in some plants and foods, as well as cigarettes. It is used in the extraction of gold from ore. Kills cyanide by binding iron in blood cells, thereby preventing them from delivering oxygen to vital organs.

You can determine cyanides using a solution of ferric salts

By the way, they tried to poison Grigory Rasputin with potassium cyanide, but they could not, because they added poison to the sweet pie. Glucose is an antidote for potassium cyanide.

The most accessible poisons

In summer and autumn, the time comes for seasonal mushroom poisoning - by the way, these are the most affordable toxic substances today. The most famous poisonous mushrooms are false mushrooms, pale grebe, stitches and fly agaric. Most of all they are poisoned with a pale toadstool, since it has a lot of varieties, sometimes indistinguishable from edible mushrooms, and one such mushroom can lead to the death of several people.

Although the Germans have learned how to cook fly agarics in such a way that they do not poison them, it is true that it takes them a lot of time to cook these mushrooms - they boil them for a day. True, the question arises - why do they need fly agaric when you can just take other mushrooms for food? And of course, you need to remember the rules for storing cooked mushrooms, even edible mushrooms can become poisonous if the shelf life is violated.

Ordinary potatoes or bread can also be poisonous. In case of improper storage, the substance solanine accumulates in potatoes, causing poisoning of the body. And bread becomes poisonous if flour was taken to make it, into which cereals infected with ergot got into. We are not talking about fatal poisoning, but it is quite possible to spoil the health of such products.

In addition, there are many household chemicals and fertilizers that can also be poisonous. For example, potassium chloride is the most common fertilizer, but when it enters the bloodstream, it becomes deadly, as potassium ions block the activity of the heart.

most famous poison

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

There is also strychnine, a white powder that is sometimes used as an ingredient in some drugs (such as heroin and cocaine). Although much more often it is used in the manufacture of pesticides. To obtain this powder, the seeds of the chilibukha tree are taken, whose birthplace is Southeast Asia and India.

But the most famous poison is, of course, arsenic, it can be called "royal poison". It has been used since ancient times (its use is attributed to Caligula) to eliminate their enemies and competitors in the struggle for the throne, no matter papal or royal. It is the favorite poison of the European nobility in the Middle Ages.

The most famous poisoners

The history of the Italian dynasty of Borgia poisoners is unique, they elevated poisoning almost to the rank of art. Their invitations to the feast were feared by everyone without exception. The most famous representatives of this family for their cunning are Pope Alexander VI Borgia, and his children: the son of Cesare, who became a cardinal, and also the daughter of Lucrezia. This family had their own poison, "cantarella", which supposedly contained arsenic, phosphorus and copper salts. It is known that the head of the family himself ultimately paid with his life for his deceit, by mistakenly drinking a bowl of poison prepared by him for another.

In France, arsenic was used by women, the most famous of them - Catherine de Medici, who became Queen of France. There were poisoners and a lower rank - favorites of kings, marquises, baronesses and wives of jewelers. It is assumed that Napoleon was poisoned with arsenic.

The strongest poison in the world

And now scientists will not answer the question of what kind of poison is the most powerful in the world. Some of the most powerful poisons are botulism and tetanus toxins.

Of natural poisons, batrachotoxin is very dangerous, it is secreted by the skin of small but dangerous amphibians - poison dart frogs, fortunately, they can only be found in Colombia. One such frog contains so much poisonous substance that it is enough to destroy several elephants.

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 venomous. As the editors of the site managed to find out, the most poisonous creature on Earth is a jellyfish.
Subscribe to our channel in Yandex.Zen

There are many poisonous substances. Some of them affect the human body for a long time, others kill instantly. There are many fast-acting poisons, they are natural and chemical.

Such compounds deprive their victim of the opportunity to survive almost immediately. What is the fastest acting poison for humans is the most famous and dangerous?

Top strong poisons in everyday life

In domestic conditions, a person is constantly faced with poisons. Many of them have a quick effect on the body, so it is recommended to know their effect and how to provide first aid to an injured person.

acids

anthrax

Serious disease is caused by specific bacteria. There are several forms of the disease, the simplest is damage to the skin. The pulmonary form of the disease is considered the most dangerous, even with timely assistance, only five percent of the victims manage to survive.

Sarin

A poisonous substance in the form of a gas. It was created for the destruction of insects, but found its application in the military sphere. Connection kills quickly, but death is painful. Production is prohibited worldwide, and its stocks are often used for military purposes or by terrorists.

Amatoxins

Such poisons have a protein structure and are found in dangerous fungi of the amanite family. The danger lies in the fact that the first signs appear ten hours after the toxin enters the body, during this period the ability to save a person approaches zero. Even with a successful rescue attempt, the victim remains disabled for life and suffers from problems with internal organs.

Strychnine

Obtained from the nuts of a tropical plant. In a minimal amount, it is used as a medicine. Strychnine is one of the fastest acting poisons, superior to potassium cyanide. But death does not occur immediately, but half an hour after poisoning.

Ricin

Ricin is a plant poison. Six times stronger than potassium cyanide. It poses a particular danger when it enters the blood, in such a case, a lethal outcome occurs very quickly. Inhalation through the lungs is less dangerous, but also leads to serious poisoning.

VX

The compound is a poison of combat action, has a nerve-paralytic effect. Changes in the body occur a minute after inhalation, and death is noted after fifteen minutes. Dangerous poison in the world is prohibited for use.

Botulinum toxin

Botulism is a poisoning caused by botulinum toxins. This is the most powerful poison in nature, it was previously used as a biological weapon. Bacteria are used in cosmetology, but in a minimal dosage. With an increase in the amount of toxin, death occurs from a violation of the respiratory process.

Top strong poisons in the pharmacy

Medicines are dangerous to humans if used incorrectly. They are also poisons and in overdose lead to poisoning.

A fatal outcome is not excluded if the permissible amount of the drug is repeatedly exceeded. Many medicines are freely available in pharmacies.

Dangerous:

Funds aimed at the treatment of the cardiovascular system.
Antipsychotics and tranquilizers.
Painkillers.
Antibiotics and antibacterial agents.

Dangerous for human health can be drugs for weight loss, drugs aimed at treating impotence, even eye drops. It must be remembered that in a minimum amount the medicine will help, and in an increased dosage it will lead to poisoning and death.

Dangerous poisons for animals

Animals suffer from poisoning no less than people. What poisons are dangerous for dogs and cats?

Danger:

Human medicines. Even a small amount of some drugs provokes serious poisoning or death. An example - a medicine for the treatment of tuberculosis - is used by dog hunters.
Means for getting rid of fleas and ticks. Animals die from an overdose of such drugs.
Food. You can not give pets food from the table, simple grapes lead to kidney failure, xylitol provokes a sharp drop in sugar levels and disruption of the liver.
Rat poison. Poison for rats often causes the death of domestic animals. The bait for rodents has a pleasant smell, so it attracts other animals. Without help, the pet dies very quickly.
Medicines for animals. Medicines intended for treatment, in the wrong dosage, can cause death.
Home plants. Cats and dogs like to nibble on some plants, many of which contain poisonous juice that is dangerous to health.
Chemicals, household chemicals. Located in accessible places, such products often attract the attention of animals. Poisoning develops quickly, as does death.
Fertilizers and pesticides. Such compounds are suitable for plants, but dangerous for animals.

Thus, the dangers and poisons for animals are no less than for humans. It is recommended to carefully monitor the behavior of the animal in order to provide him with first aid in time.

Irritation, a feeling of sand in the eyes, redness are only minor inconveniences with impaired vision. Scientists have proven that vision loss in 92% of cases ends in blindness.

Crystal Eyes is the best remedy for restoring vision at any age.

Precautionary measures

It is possible to avoid serious intoxication if safety precautions are observed. When working with poisons, it is required to wear special protective clothing, gloves on your hands. The use of goggles and respirators is recommended.

In no case during work is it allowed to eat, touch the face or open areas of the skin. After finishing all the manipulations, they wash their hands thoroughly, take a shower if necessary, and send the clothes to the laundry.

Before using unknown compounds, you must read the instructions and follow them carefully. It is not recommended to eat unknown foods.

What to do if poisoned

If poisoning occurs, you should immediately call a doctor. Prior to his arrival, the victim is provided with possible first aid.

Actions:

gastric lavage, if permitted;
give to a person;
use laxatives or cleansing enemas;
introduce antidotes if possible;
provide fresh air, peace;
quickly deliver to a medical facility.

Fast-acting poisons are present next to a person, but if safety precautions are observed, it is possible to avoid poisoning. When signs of intoxication appear, first aid is quickly provided and doctors are called.

Video: quick poisons for humans

The world-famous medieval physician and alchemist Paracelsus once said: “Everything is poison, everything is medicine; both are determined by the dose. Even water in excess can lead to death. However, some substances will need a meager amount - this will be enough to provoke death. Sometimes just one drop is enough to fall on unprotected hands - it is these substances that are classified as very poisonous. Among deadly substances, there are also organic substances of plant nature, and heavy metals, and gases synthesized by man. We have prepared for you a list of the most dangerous of them - the 25 most deadly toxic substances.

The world's most toxic substance to humans is cyanide.

The most common forms of cyanide are a colorless gas or crystals, but regardless of the form, this substance is deadly. For some people, cyanide smells like bitter almonds.

Cyanide poisoning is accompanied by characteristic symptoms: headache, nausea, rapid breathing, rapid heartbeat, and a feeling of general malaise. Without timely medical intervention, cyanide will kill the body, provoking oxygen starvation of cells. bottle of cyanide

Cyanide is contained in apple seeds, but do not rush to wash your stomach by eating a few seeds - the concentration of a dangerous substance in them is extremely low. You have to eat more than ten whole apple stalks before you experience the effects of cyanide poisoning. But, of course, you shouldn't do this.

Hydrofluoric acid, or hydrofluoric acid, is a chemical needed to make polytetrafluoroethylene, more commonly known as Teflon. It is also an extremely toxic poison.
Hydrofluoric acid container

If a liquid containing even a small amount of hydrofluoric acid gets on the skin, it is likely that the poison will enter the circulatory system through the capillaries. Reacting with calcium, it will begin to break down your bones.

Fortunately, getting this substance on the skin is painless, and the process of penetration through the skin is not instantaneous, so you will have enough time to wash this dangerous substance off yourself.

Arsenic has been known since ancient times. It occurs naturally in pure form and in the form of sulfides. In form, it is a crystalline semimetal. Medieval alchemists, including the already mentioned Paracelsus, were engaged in the synthesis of arsenic.
Arsenic glass vial

This substance, until the end of the 19th century, was the most common poison used to commit murders. A victim poisoned with arsenic dies from several hours to several days. This practice dates back to the Late Middle Ages and the Renaissance. The characteristic symptoms of arsenic poisoning, severe vomiting and diarrhea, were at the time easily confused with symptoms of cholera or dysentery.

Belladonna

This plant has also been known since ancient times, and it was used both in Europe and in Russia. All parts of belladonna are highly toxic, especially the roots. Berries are the least poisonous, and yet two berries would be enough to kill a one-year-old child.
Berries, flowers and leaves of belladonna

In medieval Italy, the juice of this plant was instilled into the eyes of local women of fashion - due to the content of atropine in it, the pupils expanded, and the look acquired an alluring brilliance. At the same time, it is atropine alkaloids that lead to poisoning - they actively affect the nervous system, first provoking an excited state, and then leading to rabies and cardiac arrest. Not for nothing is one of the names of this plant - Crazy Berry.

Carbon monoxide or carbon monoxide is a silent killer. The physical form of this substance is a gas without taste, color and smell. This gas is released during the combustion of coal, for example - it is he who is the cause of many deaths in fires.
Clipping from an old magazine warning about the dangers of carbon monoxide

This substance disrupts the process of oxygen transfer, due to which oxygen starvation occurs in cells. Symptoms of poisoning - general physical weakness, dizziness and headache, nausea, drowsiness. Fortunately, carbon monoxide poisoning is reversible - timely resuscitation measures can "bring back to life" a person who has inhaled carbon monoxide.

The fruits of the Manchineel tree, also called manchineel, look like green apples, but don't rush to taste them. It is best to stay away from this tree altogether - it is one of the most poisonous plants on Earth and certainly the most poisonous in North America.

Manchine grows in Florida, and you need to be wary of the juice of this tree. Even the wind blowing on you from this terrible plant can lead to severe itching, and the ingress of milky juice on the skin will cause painful blisters, dermatitis and severe burns. The smoke from burning the branches of this tree can cause blindness if it gets into the eyes. Well, let's not talk about the fruits.
Manchineel tree danger warning

An interesting fact: the local Indians, during the time of the Spanish conquest of these lands, used an extract from the manchineel root as one of the components of a terrible poison, which smeared arrowheads. From one such arrow that hit the leg, the famous Spanish conquistador Juan Ponce de Leon died long and painfully.

This substance is the most active non-metal, interacting with literally anything. If it comes into contact with the skin, such a gas will cause severe chemical burns. It can also contribute to eye damage, including blindness. If you are fond of organic chemistry, remember that fluorine is not to be trifled with.

This compound is found both in industrial pesticides and in the sap of some plants in Australia and South Africa (Dichapetalum cymosum). Eating the latter leads to the death of about 8% of livestock grazing in the areas of its growth. Tellingly, there is no antidote for this substance. For humans, the lethal dose is 5 mg per 1 kg.
Fluoroacetic Acid Hazard Warning

The most dangerous man-made poison is called dioxin - only 50 micrograms are needed for an adult. This is the third most toxic poison known to science - it is 60 times more toxic than cyanide!
Dioxin Contamination Warning

This substance, or rather a whole group of substances, designated for ease of perception by a single term, belongs to the group of xenobiotics, that is, substances that are alien to the natural biotic substances of the Earth. This is a consequence of the chemical industry and waste processing. Also, dioxins are a cumulative poison, that is, they gradually accumulate both in the environment and in the organisms of living beings, leading to terrible changes.

dimethylmercury

This colorless liquid is the strongest neurotoxin. Even thick latex gloves will not save from its impact. This fact is confirmed by the tragic death of inorganic chemist Karen Wetterhahn in 1996. A few drops of the substance that fell on the scientist's glove led to death - after 4 months, symptoms of poisoning began to appear, and six months later the woman died.

Aconite, also known as Fighter, is a whole family of plants, many of which are valued for their beautiful flowers. However, all of them are extremely toxic, however, this only applies to juice. The most poisonous parts of plants are tubers, the active substance is the alkaloid aconitine.
Aconite plant containing aconitine

According to legend, these plants sprouted from the saliva of Cerberus, whom Hercules brought out of the underworld of Hades. What does this legend indicate? The fact that the plant was widely known already in ancient Greece.

Some modern "healers" are promoting the idea of treating cancer and many other diseases with aconite tincture. Clinically, the effectiveness of such treatment has not been proven and is associated with a risk to your health.

Substances of this group are found in poisonous mushrooms, among others - in pale grebe. The effect of this poison on the body is extremely destructive - the work of the gastrointestinal tract, kidneys and heart is paralyzed. There is necrosis of the liver tissue.
Pale grebes containing amatoxin

In case of poisoning, the first symptoms appear very sharply after 5 hours or more - depending on the degree of poisoning, its active phase can begin even after a day. The condition is deteriorating rapidly - bloody diarrhea, terrible pain in the abdominal cavity, severe vomiting. Mushroom amatoxin poisoning in most cases is severe and requires immediate medical attention.

Three out of four people who pick up this bacterium die, even if they are hospitalized and treated. You can get infected from livestock used in agriculture. However, the disease is very acute, so that the foci of infection, if they occur, can be identified and destroyed in a timely manner, along with carriers.
Enclosure of quarantine zone due to anthrax outbreak

Hemlock

You may know this plant as Hemlock, or Omega. It is a distant relative of celery and is the carrier of one of the strongest poisons among the plant kingdom. According to legend, the ancient Greek thinker Socrates was once poisoned by him.

This plant is popular as a murder weapon. Most often, it is sprinkled on the victim's food under the guise of a salad. Poisoning leads to severe convulsions, pain and death. Even in the event that the poisoned person survives, the consequences in the form of amnesia, severe tremors and clouding of reason can haunt him for the rest of his life.
Hemlock plant containing hemlock

In the early 19th century, hemlock-based drugs were used as pain relievers.

This is the main ingredient in rat poison, a powerful pesticide. It was synthesized from the seeds of the tropical chilibuha tree, also known as the emetic nut. Strychnine will have no less effective effect on humans than on pests - death from a dose of 50 mg can occur for an adult half an hour after poisoning.
A vial of strychnine

You can get poisoned by strychnine by inhaling its fumes, applying it to the skin, or inadvertently taking it orally. Symptoms occur almost immediately - vomiting and painful convulsions.

Strychnine is one of the most popular poisons, often appearing in literary works, cinema and even comics.

The most powerful paralytic poison produced by dinophytes. The most potent non-protein toxin, having the most complex cell structure for a non-protein compound produced by a living organism.
Dinoflagellates - plankton producing mitotoxin

In addition, it is the most terrible "sea" poison. Its source is, in fact, plankton. Fortunately, extremely high concentrations of these microorganisms are required for poisoning, so the risk of accidentally poisoning them is virtually zero.

Previously, mercury was actively used in thermometers and medical thermometers. At the same time, mercury is the only volatile metal whose vapor poisoning can be fatal. Mercury can cause tissue necrosis, blindness, kidney failure, amnesia and paralysis of the central nervous system.
This is what liquid mercury looks like

An interesting fact: after analyzing the remains of Tsar Ivan the Terrible, scientists came to the conclusion that the last representative of the Rurik family was poisoned with mercury for a long time, from which he eventually died.

Another deadly metal, but this time - radioactive. In the last 50 years, it has been a popular weapon for show killing. Alexander Litvinenko, Yasser Arafat, Alexander Goldfarb and others died from polonium poisoning.
Polonium in its natural state

Polonium-210 is 250,000 times more poisonous than hydrocyanic acid. For the death of an adult male, it will be enough for him to get 10 micrograms of this isotope into his body. So, it would take about a gram of polonium to kill ten million people. Characteristically, the alpha particles of this substance are not able to penetrate the skin, so for poisoning with polonium, it is necessary to get inside the body, for example, through the respiratory tract or the oral cavity.

This poison is found in all parts of the Cerberus trees, named after the guardian of the gates of the kingdom of Hades. Even the smoke of this tree can cause serious poisoning. The action of the poison leads to cardiac arrest.
fruits of the cerberus tree

In Madagascar, until 1861, eating the fruits of Cerberus was used in lawsuits and was a kind of analogue of the "bathing of witches" of medieval Europe. If the accused survived after the reception, he was considered innocent, but if he did not survive, it is obvious that guilt can be considered proven.

Botulinum toxin

The most powerful organic poison, neurotoxin. For an adult, the lethal dose is approximately 0.05 mcg. Ingestion leads to paralysis and eventual death.
In this form, butulinum toxin is used in aesthetic medicine.

Botox used in aesthetic medicine is butulinum toxin, perhaps somewhat modified.

Bacteria Clostridium botulinum, which produce butulinum toxin, prefer an airless environment. That is why, penetrating spores into canned spins, they activate vital processes, releasing a deadly poison.

Tetrodotoxin

This is the world-famous poison of fugu fish, considered a delicacy in Japan. Once in the body, tetrodotoxin leads to respiratory arrest. There is no antidote, but the poisoned person can be saved by supporting the work of the respiratory organs artificially for some time. However, every year in Japan, several people die from fugu fish poisoning. Dozens more people can be saved.
Puffer fish meat contains deadly tetrodotoxin

Puffer fish do not produce tetrodotoxin, but only accumulate it from the plankton it consumes, the toxicity of some species of which we have already considered earlier.

Chemical weapons, combat nerve gas. It was created in the mid-1930s and was used on the battlefields of the Second World War and in the wars of modern history and major terrorist attacks. It was recognized as a weapon of mass destruction.
Demonstration warhead of the American Honest John missile, M139 canisters of sarin are visible (photograph circa 1960s)

This gas is colorless, tasteless and odorless. Death from sarin poisoning is terrible and very fast. Antidotes exist, but comprehensive treatment of those poisoned by sarin on the battlefield is virtually impossible. Sarin is one of the substances banned from production and stockpiling under the 1997 UN Chemical Weapons Convention.

This poison is produced by a small yellow frog that lives in the tropical forests in southwestern Colombia - the Terrible leafcreeper. The poison secreted by the skin glands of the frog and serving as its defense against predators is one of the strongest organic non-protein poisons.
Terrible leaf climber producing batrachotoxin

The action of the poison paralyzes the work of the respiratory system, muscles and heart, leading to its stop. The local Indians use this poison by running a blowpipe dart across the frog's back. After being wounded by such a dart, a person dies in less than 10 minutes. There is no effective antidote, but scientists today have developed synthetic analogues of batrachotoxin that are twice as toxic.

One of the strongest phytotoxins. Of particular danger is in the form of an aerosol. In nature, it is found in castor beans, castor beans. You probably know another derivative of this plant - castor oil.
Castor beans containing ricin

The toxicity of ricin is 6 times higher than that of potassium cyanide. Of course, this substance is used as a weapon. The most resonant case of its use is the murder of the Bulgarian dissident Georgy Markov.

VI gas

The chemical warfare agent VX is the most powerful man-made poison ever synthesized by man. Weapons based on this gas are still in service with the US and Russian armies, although according to official data in 2017, the Russian army completely destroyed its stockpiles of chemical weapons, including VX and its analogues.
This is what the repository of the most terrible chemical weapons on Earth looks like

It was with this poison that the half-brother of Kim Jong-un, the leader of North Korea, was killed at Kuala Lumpur International Airport in 2017.

As you can see, there are enough dangerous substances of organic origin in the world. But the most powerful poisons are man-made. Today, there are several international agreements that ban the production and condemn the use of chemical weapons. But its reserves are still large and cases of its use continue to be recorded. How to avoid becoming a victim of poisoning with the substances described in this article? Be vigilant when working with various chemicals, do not eat puffer fish, do not stroke toads and hope that the "powerful of this world" will have the prudence to never use any of the arsenal of weapons of mass destruction that they have at their disposal.