The Tox Lab

This week on The Tox Lab, we're diving into the world of cyanobacteria, exploring the toxins they can produce and the risks they pose to animals and the wider environment. We clear up the naming myth behind “blue-green algae”, look at the different cyanotoxins and discuss why dogs can be particularly vulnerable to poisoning. We then explore a case involving three dogs affected by cyanobacterial po...

We're back! This week on The Tox Lab, we're reflecting on our recent trip to Chicago for the joint TIAFT-SOFT 2026 meeting. We talk about what we got up to during the conference, some of the recurring scientific themes we noticed across the programme, and the toxicology topics that caught our attention. We also share some of our favourite moments from the meeting, from presentations and discussion...

This week on The Tox Lab, we're diving into the world of Kanna alkaloids. We begin by exploring Kanna, its traditional use in southern Africa, and the growing interest in its potential effects on anxiety and depression. We take a closer look at the alkaloids found within Kanna, including mesembrine, and consider the pharmacology behind some of its reported effects. We then turn to the potential ha...

This week on The Tox Lab, we're diving into the world of psychedelic therapies and exploring the use of psilocybin to treat depression. We begin with a recent trial investigating whether psilocybin-assisted therapy could actually be delivered within an NHS setting. We explore the practical challenges of delivering psychedelic therapy, the results of the trial, and what the findings might mean for...

This week on The Tox Lab, we're diving into the world of mad honey and grayanotoxin poisoning. We examine where mad honey comes from and its cultural uses before turning to the compounds responsible for its toxic effects: grayanotoxins. We discuss how these compounds affect voltage-gated sodium channels and how this can lead to severe bradycardia, hypotension, cardiac conduction abnormalities, diz...

This week on The Tox Lab, we're taking a closer look at one of the most challenging parts of toxicology: interpreting the results. If we give you a number, can you tell us what it means? We begin by exploring why interpreting a toxicology result is rarely as simple as comparing a concentration with a reference value. We discuss the range of clinical, analytical, pharmacological, and contextual inf...

This week on The Tox Lab, we're taking a closer look at fentanyl, exploring its clinical use, toxicological risks, and the analytical challenges associated with detecting and interpreting fentanyl exposure. We begin by examining fentanyl patch-related deaths reported in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, including cases highlighted through Prevention of Future Deaths reports. We discuss how fent...

This week on The Tox Lab, we're diving into the world of absinthe, the infamous "Green Fairy". We begin by exploring what absinthe actually is, from its botanical origins and traditional preparation to its rise in popularity and the myths that eventually surrounded it. We discuss why absinthe became associated with hallucinations, madness, and toxicity, and how these stories contributed to its con...

This week on The Tox Lab, we're taking a look at the dark side of decongestants and exploring how seemingly harmless over-the-counter nasal sprays and eye drops can cause severe toxicity. We begin by discussing the pharmacology of imidazoline decongestants, including their effects on alpha-adrenergic receptors and how systemic exposure can lead to cardiovascular and central nervous system toxicity...

This week on The Tox Lab, we're diving into wastewater-based epidemiology and exploring how wastewater analysis can be used to monitor drug use and emerging drug trends. We begin by discussing the UK national wastewater analysis programme and examining what wastewater data revealed about the use of commonly encountered recreational drugs in 2022. We explore what these measurements can tell us abou...

This week on The Tox Lab, we're discussing silver toxicity and the toxicological consequences of using silver outside its established medical applications. We begin by exploring the legitimate uses of silver in medicine, including wound dressings, topical preparations, and antimicrobial coatings on medical devices. We then turn to the claims surrounding colloidal silver, including its promotion as...

This week on The Tox Lab, we're discussing cross-tolerance, focusing on the relationship between benzodiazepines and alcohol. We begin by exploring how alcohol acts at the GABA-A receptor, the neuroadaptations that occur with chronic alcohol use, and why the sudden cessation of alcohol can lead to withdrawal. We then discuss why benzodiazepines are the mainstay of treatment for alcohol withdra...

This week on The Tox Lab, we’re discussing MDMA, examining its pharmacology, toxicity, and the factors that influence individual susceptibility to harm. We begin by exploring how MDMA works, focusing on its effects on serotonin release, reuptake, and signalling, and the pharmacological mechanisms responsible for its desired effects and adverse reactions. We then examine a case of severe MDMA toxic...

This week on The Tox Lab, we’re discussing grey market peptides and examining the growing interest in these compounds for performance enhancement, recovery, and cosmetic purposes. We begin by exploring peptides linked to musculoskeletal healing, focusing on BPC-157 and the evidence surrounding its proposed effects. We discuss the claims made about these compounds, the current state of the research...

Bonus Episode: EUDA European Drug Report 2026 Livestream This is the recording of our YouTube livestream from the 9th June, where we unpacked the 2026 EUDA Drug Report. Join us as we explore some of the key findings from the report, discuss emerging drug trends across Europe, share our insights, and answer your questions. We hope you enjoy! Link to the 2026 EUDA Drug Report: https://www.euda.europ...

This week on The Tox Lab, we’re discussing gabapentinoids and examining the use, effectiveness, and toxicological considerations surrounding gabapentin and pregabalin. Originally developed as anti-epileptic medications, gabapentinoids have become widely used for the treatment of neuropathic pain and a range of other conditions. We begin by examining prescribing trends and discussing the evidence s...

This week on The Tox Lab, we’re discussing the life and work of one of the most influential figures in psychedelic chemistry, Alexander “Sasha” Shulgin. From his early career at Dow Chemical to his pioneering work with psychoactive compounds, Shulgin’s career helped shape the modern landscape of psychedelic research. We discuss his fascination with psychedelics, his meticulous approach to self-exp...

This week on The Tox Lab, we’re discussing novel benzodiazepines and examining recent trends in their emergence and detection. We begin by exploring the origins of novel benzodiazepines, including how these compounds have entered the drug market and the factors contributing to their continued appearance. We then turn to a paper from the Society of Forensic Toxicologists (SOFT) Novel Psychoactive S...

This week on The Tox Lab, we’re discussing kava and examining its history, use, and potential toxicological effects. We begin by exploring the history of kava and its longstanding cultural and social significance, before discussing reported benefits associated with its use and the reasons it continues to gain popularity. We then turn to potential harms associated with kava, examining cases of acut...

This week on The Tox Lab, we’re discussing poison dart frogs and the alkaloid epibatidine. We begin by examining recent reports surrounding the death of Alexei Navalny and the suggestion that epibatidine may have been involved. We then discuss poison dart frogs and the toxins found within them, including the discovery and isolation of epibatidine. From there, we explore its potent analgesic proper...

This week on The Tox Lab, we’re back with a long-awaited update on novel synthetic opioids. We begin by discussing the April 2026 UNODC announcement on the increasingly varied forms in which synthetic opioids are being encountered, including vapes, powders, and counterfeit tablets marketed as benzodiazepines, oxycodone, and MDMA. We then turn to the emergence of orphine analogues in both the UK an...

This week on The Tox Lab, we are taking a look at the role of naloxone in risk taking behaviours, harm reduction and disparities surrounding naloxone access. We begin by discussing a study looking at the expansion of naloxone access laws in the United States, exploring whether increased availability is associated with changes in heroin use among adolescents. We then turn to a commentary paper exam...

A year after we first took a look at mitragynine (kratom), we are back with an update episode looking at how the landscape surrounding mitragynine is evolving. We begin by examining poison centre data, exploring trends in reported exposures in the US and internationally, and the increase in its use. We then discuss a case involving semi-synthetic mitragynine derivatives, including 7-hydroxymitragy...

This week on The Tox Lab, we’re examining the controversial 2006 Lancet paper on codeine and fatal opioid toxicity in a breastfed infant. We begin by introducing the paper and the case at its centre, in which an infant developed fatal opioid toxicity following exposure to codeine via breast milk. We then explore the proposed mechanism, focusing on the role of CYP2D6 metabolism and how variability...

This week on The Tox Lab, we’re examining pesticides and their role in toxicology. We begin by discussing a study investigating pesticide exposure in florists, highlighting occupational risks and the potential for chronic low-level exposure. We then turn to a paper analysing pesticide residue levels in commonly consumed fruits, including kiwifruit and bananas, and consider what this may mean for d...