Some substances in nature can be both medicines and poisons to humans. There are four types of poisons: natural poisons, synthetic poisons such as pharmaceuticals, inorganic poisons such as heavy metals, and radiation. However, scientifically, there is no clear difference between poisons and medicines. A poison that is too small to have any effect is called an “ineffective dose.” An effective dose is called a “toxic dose,” and a lethal dose is called a “lethal dose.” The LD50 value is an indicator of the strength of a poison. This value indicates the expected value at which half of experimental animals will die if administered at the LD50 dose. For example, a dose of 5-10 mg of potassium cyanide will kill half of the experimental animals.
Poisons used in crime stories for murder include potassium cyanide and monkshood. Monkshood is also an important medicinal resource in traditional Chinese medicine. Aconite is also a unique medicinal agent with medicinal properties for rheumatism, joint pain, atonic diarrhea, and uric insufficiency. The potent toxic effects of monkshood are due to the properties of aconitine, a substance contained in monkshood. Aconitine has the ability to open sodium channels in nerve cells. This substance blocks signal transmission by allowing large amounts of sodium ions to enter the cells. This blocks the signal to breathe, resulting in respiratory distress. Ingesting an excessive amount of aconitine can ultimately lead to death by suffocation.
Botulinum toxin is said to be thousands of times more potent than potassium cyanide. However, within effective doses, it can be transformed into a beneficial drug. The muscle-relaxing properties of botulinum toxin can be used to relieve excessive muscle tension after a stroke. In recent years, the use of botulinum toxin to restore function after a stroke has become a common treatment. Humanity’s greed has transformed poison into a beauty potion. Wrinkles inevitably appear as we age. Those who resist this have resorted to heavy makeup and collagen therapy. However, botulinum toxin inhibits the release of acetylcholine in humans, eliminating wrinkles. Botox is a drug developed from botulinum toxin.
In the near future, when people will live to be 100 years old, it seems that mental richness and beauty will become important elements of social life, along with health. One such lifestyle is a walk in the forest. The forest scent seems to induce a comfortable state of mind. This scent comes from the release of volatile substances unique to plants, such as leaves. These substances released by plants are called phytoncides. We humans generally perceive the scent of the forest as pleasant. However, phytoncides are also an allelopathic agent. Substances that inhibit the growth of other plants while expanding their own influence are called allelopathic substances. The scent of phytoncides in the forest is emitted by trees to protect themselves from various stresses. However, it is a pleasant scent to humans. Perhaps humans are animals that use what is available, choosing what to take and what to discard, and strive to live a rich life.
