Short Wave Toxic? These Animals Don't Care
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Aug 19, 2025 Shabnam Mohammadi, an evolutionary biologist, dives into the fascinating world of toxic animals and their predators. She reveals how some creatures have evolved to withstand cardiotonic steroids, often lethal to others, and how these adaptations can even relate to human medicine. The discussion spans from microbial resistance in digestion to the artistic influence of plant toxins on figures like Van Gogh. Mohammadi also touches on potential future applications in contraception, showcasing the interconnectedness of nature and science.
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Single Protein, Wide Effects
- Cardiotonic steroids bind and disable the sodium-potassium pump, affecting many physiological systems like heart and brain.
- This single-target action explains why these toxins can be deadly across diverse animals.
Gut Bacteria Alter Toxin Exposure
- Gut bacteria can metabolize cardiotonic steroids and reduce how much gets absorbed into blood.
- This microbial activity produces variation in drug exposure between people.
Van Gogh And Foxglove Theory
- There's a theory Vincent van Gogh consumed foxglove, which contains digoxin, and that may explain visual side effects.
- Those side effects include yellow halos around lights, which match his Starry Night style.