The Tox Lab

This week on The Tox Lab, we're celebrating a very special milestone: our 100th episode! And what better way to mark the occasion than with a deep dive into an intriguing experimental opioid, SR-17018, and the science of biased agonism.We explore the pharmacology of SR-17018 and the idea that it could offer the analgesic benefits of opioids while avoiding some of their unwanted effects.We start by looking at how opioid receptors signal and what is meant by biased agonism, before exploring why SR-17018 was developed as a potential G-protein-biased mu-opioid receptor agonist. But is it really as selective as initially thought? We discuss the limitations of the assays used to investigate biased agonism, the role of receptor reserve and the possibility that SR-17018's effects may instead be explained by its low intrinsic efficacy.We also examine the preclinical evidence surrounding SR-17018, including research into opioid tolerance, withdrawal and analgesia, alongside the potential for respiratory depression and other adverse effects. With some studies producing conflicting findings, we explore what the evidence actually tells us and whether biased agonism still holds promise in the development of safer opioids.Finally, we touch on anecdotal reports of SR-17018 being used to manage withdrawal from other opioids and discuss the questions these reports raise.Join us for our 100th episode as we explore SR-17018, opioid receptor signalling and the ongoing debate over whether biased agonism could change the future of opioid pharmacology.Hope you enjoy!Links to the papers we discussed:https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0028390824002624?via%3Dihub https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6901606/ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7887086/ https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/scisignal.aaz3140?url_ver=Z39.88-2003&rfr_id=ori:rid:crossref.org&rfr_dat=cr_pub%20%200pubmed Disclaimer: All opinions are our own.Find us on instagram: @the_tox_labEmail us here: [email protected] out our new website and our new merch: https://thetoxlab.co.uk/ Support us here: https://buymeacoffee.com/thetoxlab

This week on The Tox Lab, we're celebrating two years of the podcast!To mark our second birthday, we went live on YouTube for a special anniversary episode, bringing together our listeners for an interactive discussion about all things toxicology and The Tox Lab.We look back on the past two years, reflect on how the podcast has developed and answer questions from our audience. It was a chance to catch up with the people who listen, support and engage with the podcast, and to celebrate everything we've achieved together.We also had a little announcement to share, with The Tox Lab merchandise now available at www.thetoxlab.co.uk! Use the code TOXLAB10 for 10% off until the 8th November.A huge thank you to everyone who has listened, shared an episode, sent us a question or supported us over the last two years. We couldn't have done it without you.Join us for this special birthday episode as we celebrate two years of The Tox Lab and look forward to what's still to come!Hope you enjoy!Disclaimer: All opinions are our own.Find us on instagram: @the_tox_labEmail us here: [email protected] out our new website and our new merch: https://thetoxlab.co.uk/ Support us here: https://buymeacoffee.com/thetoxlab

This week on The Tox Lab, we're exploring blue-staining bolete mushrooms and the fascinating phenomenon of Lilliputian hallucinations.We take a look at Lanmaoa asiatica, a mushroom found in Yunnan Province, China, which has been associated with unusual neuropsychiatric effects following ingestion. We discuss reported cases of mushroom poisoning after undercooked or raw mushroom ingestion and the gastrointestinal symptoms and vivid visual hallucinations that can occur.We then explore Lilliputian hallucinations, a distinctive type of visual hallucination in which people perceive tiny human or fantasy figures. From miniature people behaving as though they are interacting with the real world to reports of tiny animals and colourful characters, we look at how these experiences are described in the literature and explore the wider range of psychiatric, neurological and other conditions associated with them.Finally, we look at the ongoing search for the compound responsible for the hallucinations associated with Lanmaoa asiatica. We discuss recent research into the mushroom, including the identification of two previously unreported pyrrole alkaloids, and consider whether these could offer clues to the unusual effects.Join us as we explore mushroom poisoning, Lilliputian hallucinations and the search for the compound behind one of the more unusual presentations in mushroom toxicology.Hope you enjoy!Editor's note: You may notice Rob's cold getting increasingly involved in the conversation as the episode progresses. Unfortunately, we couldn't edit out every sniffle, so please bear with us! 🤧Links to the papers we discussed:https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/hkj2.12046 https://nhmu.utah.edu/articles/experts-explore-new-mushroom-which-causes-fairytale-hallucinations https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.03.002 http://www.jstor.org/stable/41344568 https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00275514.2026.2670968 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/cbdv.202502700 Disclaimer: All opinions are our own.Find us on instagram: @the_tox_labEmail us here: [email protected] out our new website and our new merch: https://thetoxlab.co.uk/ Support us here: https://buymeacoffee.com/thetoxlab

This week on The Tox Lab, we're taking a closer look at poppers, exploring what alkyl nitrites are, why they are used and the fascinating history behind these widely recognised substances.We discuss what happens when poppers are swallowed rather than inhaled, including a case of severe methaemoglobinaemia and research examining UK deaths involving alkyl nitrite ingestion. We also explore poppers maculopathy, looking at the potential for visual disturbances and retinal damage associated with their use.Finally, we look at where poppers sit within UK drug legislation and the ongoing questions around their regulation.Join us as we explore the toxicology of poppers, from acute toxicity and fatalities to visual complications and the challenges of detecting alkyl nitrites in toxicological investigations.Hope you enjoy!Links to papers we discussed:https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11806928/ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11765549/  https://bjo.bmj.com/content/101/11/1530 Disclaimer: All opinions are our own.Find us on instagram: @the_tox_labEmail us here: [email protected] out our new website: https://thetoxlab.co.uk/ Support us here: https://buymeacoffee.com/thetoxlab

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 poisoning, where analytical toxicology played a key role in identifying the toxin involved.Finally, we look at research investigating cyanobacterial biofilms and anatoxin production in a French river, and what this tells us about the changing risks these organisms can pose.Join us as we explore cyanobacteria, anatoxin poisoning and the toxicology behind these potentially fatal environmental exposures.Hope you enjoy!Links to the papers we discussed:https://www.cdc.gov/harmful-algal-blooms/hcp/clinical-signs/symptoms-freshwater-harmful-algal-blooms.htmlhttps://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0041010123000727?via%3Dihubhttps://www.mdpi.com/2072-6651/10/10/418 Disclaimer: All opinions are our own.Find us on instagram: @the_tox_labEmail us here: [email protected] out our new website: https://thetoxlab.co.uk/ Support us here: https://buymeacoffee.com/thetoxlab

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 discussions to catching up with colleagues and meeting new people from across the toxicology community. Join us as we look back at TIAFT-SOFT 2026, share our highlights from one of the biggest events in forensic and clinical toxicology, and discuss some of the themes and ideas we took away from the conference. If you couldn't make it to Chicago, this is our chance to bring a little bit of TIAFT-SOFT 2026 to you!Hope you enjoy!Disclaimer: All opinions are our own.Find us on instagram: @the_tox_labEmail us here: [email protected] out our new website: https://thetoxlab.co.uk/ Support us here: https://buymeacoffee.com/thetoxlab

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 harms associated with Kanna, examining in-silico toxicity prediction data for mesembrine and discussing what these predictions can, and cannot, tell us about the potential toxicity of the compound.We also look at National Poison Data System data and the apparent increase in reported Kanna exposures, before exploring research into the potential cognitive effects of Kanna and whether these compounds could have a future role in treating conditions such as Alzheimer's dementia.Join us as we explore the chemistry, pharmacology and toxicology of Kanna alkaloids, and consider whether this traditional plant could have a place in modern medicine.Hope you enjoy!This episode is very kindly sponsored by Cayman Chemical. Check out their Kanna Alkaloid Mix here: https://www.caymanchem.com/product/45074/kanna-alkaloids-mixtureLinks to the papers we discussed:https://www.thieme-connect.com/products/ejournals/abstract/10.1055/a-2809-5144https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378874123009819?via%3Dihubhttps://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0009279725002789?via%3Dihubhttps://www.acmt.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/2026-ASM-abstracts.pdfhttps://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1155/2014/682014Disclaimer: All opinions are our own.Find us on instagram: @the_tox_labEmail us here: [email protected] out our new website: https://thetoxlab.co.uk/ Support us here: https://buymeacoffee.com/thetoxlab

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 the future of psilocybin treatment for people with treatment-resistant depression.We then look at how psilocybin could produce antidepressant effects that persist long after the drug itself has left the body. We discuss what happens when psilocybin is converted to psilocin, its effects on serotonin receptors, and some of the proposed mechanisms behind its longer-term effects, including changes in brain activity, connectivity and neuroplasticity.Finally, we examine the evidence from a trial comparing psilocybin with escitalopram, asking how the two treatments compare and what this tells us about the potential role of psilocybin in treating depression. We also discuss one of the fundamental challenges in psychedelic research: can you really blind a trial when participants can often tell whether they've received a psychedelic?Join us as we explore the science behind psychedelic therapy, the evidence for psilocybin in depression, and the challenges of moving these treatments from clinical trials into real-world healthcare.Hope you enjoy!Links to the papers we discussed:https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-026-04541-0 https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2032994 Disclaimer: All opinions are our own.Find us on instagram: @the_tox_labEmail us here: [email protected] out our new website: https://thetoxlab.co.uk/ Support us here: https://buymeacoffee.com/thetoxlab

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, dizziness, neurological symptoms and, in some cases, hallucinations.The episode also examines reported cases of mad honey poisoning, including a severe case in Nepal and a case from the UK involving imported raw honey. We consider why the concentration of grayanotoxins can make the effects of mad honey difficult to predict and explore the clinical features of grayanotoxin poisoning.Join us as we explore the chemistry, pharmacology, history and toxicology of mad honey, and discover how something as familiar as honey can cause significant cardiovascular and neurological toxicity.Hope you enjoy!Links to the papers we discussed:https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9978999/pdf/EFS2-21-e07866.pdf https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/30/19/3925 https://analyticalsciencejournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jat.4855 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6293183/pdf/CCR3-6-2355.pdf https://www.cureus.com/articles/488288-mad-honey-poisoning-caused-by-grayanotoxin-toxicity-in-a-75-year-old-male-patient-presenting-with-hypotension-and-bradycardia-in-the-united-kingdom-a-case-report#!/ Disclaimer: All opinions are our own.Find us on instagram: @the_tox_labEmail us here: [email protected] out our new website: https://thetoxlab.co.uk/ Support us here: https://buymeacoffee.com/thetoxlab

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 information needed to understand what a result actually means, as well as the biases that can influence the way toxicology results are interpreted.We then turn to recent published work evaluating the performance of AI and large language models in toxicology interpretation. Can these tools accurately interpret toxicology results, or do they reflect the same pitfalls seen when results are considered without sufficient clinical context? We explore some of the common errors and limitations reported in the literature when AI is applied to toxicology result interpretation.Finally, we examine the use of reference intervals in toxicology and ask whether they can really help clinicians interpret drug concentrations. We discuss why reference intervals are not always straightforward and why context matters when deciding whether a toxicology result is clinically significant.Join us as we explore the complexities of toxicology result interpretation, the risks of relying on numbers without context, and whether AI could actually help us make sense of toxicology results.Hope you enjoy!Links to the papers we discussed:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/15563650.2026.2698028https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0379073826001052?via%3Dihub https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC13152082/ Disclaimer: All opinions are our own.Find us on instagram: @the_tox_labEmail us here: [email protected] out our new website: https://thetoxlab.co.uk/ Support us here: https://buymeacoffee.com/thetoxlab