Poisons are available to people. The five most dangerous poisons for humans. The most powerful poison

Any toxic substances, be they chemical or plant, pose a serious danger to the body. Science knows dozens and hundreds of the strongest poisons, many of which are used by man himself, and not for good deeds - this includes terrorism, genocide, and much more. But there were also times when poisons were considered medicines. One way or another, toxic substances are still undergoing active research in laboratories. What is the most powerful poison in the world?

Cyanide

Cyanides are a class of harmful, potent substances that are dangerous to humans. Their toxicity is explained by their immediate effect on the respiratory functions of cells, which, in turn, stops the work of the entire body. Cells stop functioning, organs fail. All this leads to a very serious condition, fraught with death. Cyanide itself is a derivative of hydrocyanic acid.

Externally, cyanide is a white powder with a crystalline structure. It is quite unstable and dissolves well in water. We are talking about the most famous type - potassium cyanide, and there is also sodium cyanide, which is also quite toxic. The poison is obtained not only in the laboratory, but also extracted from plants. It is important to know that some foods may contain this substance in small quantities. Almonds and fruit seeds are dangerous. But the poisoning is cumulative.

Cyanide is often used in industrial production - in particular, the production of paper, some fabrics, plastics, as well as in reagents for photo development. In metallurgy, cyanide is used to purify metals from impurities; and in grain storage facilities rodents are destroyed using means based on this poison. The lethal dose of the most dangerous poison in the world is 0.1 mg/l, and death occurs within an hour. If the quantity is greater, then in ten minutes. First, the person loses consciousness, then stops breathing, and then the heart stops.

This substance was first isolated by the German chemist Bunsen, and in 1845 methods of production on an industrial scale were developed.

Anthrax spores

These substances are the causative agents of an extremely dangerous infectious disease, most often ending in death. People who come into contact with livestock are at risk of contracting Bacillus Anthracis. Spores can be stored in the soil of a cattle burial ground for a very long time.

The disease has been killing people for centuries, especially during the Middle Ages. And only in the 19th century Louis Pasteur managed to create a vaccine against it. He studied the resistance of animals to poisons by injecting them with a weakened strain of ulcer, which resulted in the development of immunity. In 2010, US scientists created an even more effective vaccine against the disease.

Anthrax spores are found in all secretions of a sick animal, ending up with them in water and soil. Thus, they can spread hundreds of kilometers from the source of infection. In African countries, insects that drink blood can also become infected with poison. Incubation ranges from several hours to seven days. The poison causes irreparable damage to blood vessels, causing swelling, loss of sensitivity, and inflammation. Carbuncles begin to appear on the skin; It is especially dangerous if they occur on the face. Subsequently, a host of other unpleasant symptoms may occur, from diarrhea to bloody vomiting. Often the patient will die at the end.

The disease caused by anthrax spores develops extremely quickly and causes terrible external and internal damage.

Many residents of Russia remember this name from school life lessons. One of the most toxic substances on Earth since 1991 has been classified as a weapon of mass destruction. And it was discovered in 1938 by a chemical company in Germany and from the very beginning was intended for military purposes.

Under normal conditions, sarin is an odorless liquid that evaporates quickly. Since it cannot be smelled, poisoning can only be known when symptoms appear.

Moreover, poisoning occurs through inhalation of steam, and through contact with skin or entry into the oral cavity.

Sarin binds certain enzymes, in particular protein, as a result of which it can no longer support nerve fibers.

Mild poisoning results in shortness of breath and weakness. In moderate cases, constriction of the pupils, lacrimation, severe headache, nausea, and trembling of the limbs occurs. If timely assistance is not provided, death occurs in 100% of cases, but even if assistance is provided, every second poisoned person dies. Severe degree is characterized by the same symptoms as moderate, but they are more pronounced and progress faster. Vomiting occurs, spontaneous excretion of feces and urine occurs, and an incredible headache appears. A minute later the person faints, and five minutes later he dies from damage to the respiratory center.

Sarin was not used in World War II due to Hitler's prejudice against poisonous gases.

Amatoxin

This is the most powerful venom that is independently produced in nature, it is more powerful than the venom of any snake. It is mainly found in white toadstools and when ingested, it affects the kidneys and liver, and then gradually kills all cells over the course of several days.

The poison is very insidious: the first symptoms appear only after 12 hours, and sometimes up to a day. Of course, it’s already too late to do gastric lavage; you need to call an ambulance. Within two days, traces of amatoxin can be detected in a urine test. Activated charcoal and the drug cephalosporin can also help the patient, and in particularly difficult cases it is necessary to resort to a liver transplant. But even after recovery, the patient may suffer from heart, kidney and liver failure for a long time.

A large dose of penicillin is used as an antidote; if it is not introduced, then a person dies on average within a week

This is a poison of plant origin, most often used in baiting small rodents. It has been produced in the laboratory since 1818, extracting it from the seeds of the African chilibuha plant. Strychnine is mentioned in many detective novels, where characters die from exposure to this substance. One of the properties of strychnine is also played out: at the very beginning, it causes a sharp and powerful surge of strength by blocking some neurotransmitters.

The substance is used in the production of medicines, but drugs containing strychnine nitrate are prescribed only in the most extreme cases. Indirect indications for use may be neurological diseases in which nerve impulses are inhibited; poor appetite; impotence; severe forms of alcoholism that cannot be cured by other methods.

Symptoms of poisoning with this poison are similar to the primary symptoms of tetanus. These include difficulty breathing, chewing and swallowing, fear of light and convulsions.

A dose of 1 milligram per 1 kilogram of body weight is fatal.

The first information about mercury has reached us from the depths of time; it is mentioned in documents dating back to 350 BC, and archaeological excavations have also found more ancient traces. The metal was widely used and continues to be used in medicine, art, and industry. Its vapors are extremely toxic, and poisoning can be either immediate or cumulative. First of all, harm is done to the nervous system, and then to other systems of the body.

The initial symptoms of mercury poisoning are trembling of the fingers and eyelids, and later - of all parts of the body. Then there are problems with the gastrointestinal tract, insomnia, headache, vomiting, and memory impairment. In case of poisoning by vapors, rather than mercury compounds, damage to the respiratory tract is initially noticed. If exposure to the substance is not stopped promptly, it can be fatal.

The effects of mercury poisoning can be inherited

Most often, a person encounters mercury from a thermometer, especially if it breaks. But not everyone knows exactly how to act in this situation. First you need to quickly collect all the parts of the thermometer and the mercury balls. This must be done as carefully as possible, because the remaining particles can cause irreparable harm to residents, especially children and animals. This is done with rubber gloves. In hard-to-reach places, you can collect mercury using a syringe or patch. Place everything collected in a tightly closed container.

The next step is a thorough cleaning of the room, also done with gloves (already new) and a medical mask. A highly concentrated solution of potassium permanganate is suitable for processing. Wipe absolutely all surfaces in the house with this solution using a rag. Fill any gaps, cracks and other depressions with mortar. It is advisable to leave everything in this form for at least a day. For the next few days, ventilate the room daily.

You can call specialists who will make sure that there is no mercury or its vapor in the house if the thermometer breaks

Tetrodotoxin

The most effective defense mechanisms that nature has endowed living beings with are neurotoxins. These are substances that specifically damage the nervous system. Tetrodotoxin is perhaps the most dangerous and unusual of them. It is found in a variety of both terrestrial and aquatic animals. The substance tightly blocks the channels of nerve cells, which causes muscle paralysis.

The most common source of poisoning in Japan was eating fugu fish. It is surprising that today this fish is still used in cooking and is considered a delicacy - however, you need to know which parts to eat and in what season to catch the fish. Poisoning occurs extremely quickly, in some cases within six hours. It begins with a slight tingling of the lips and tongue, followed by vomiting and weakness, after which the patient falls into a coma. Effective emergency assistance measures have not yet been developed. Only artificial respiration can prolong life, because before death, breathing first stops, and only after a while does the heart stop beating.

Tetrodotoxin has been studied for many years, but not all details about it have yet been discovered.

The poisons described above have an extremely harmful effect on animal organisms, so extreme care must be taken when handling them. It is better if professionals do this.

There are many poisons of various natures in the world. Some of them act almost instantly, others can torment the victim of poisoning for years, slowly destroying him from the inside. True, the concept of poison has no clear boundaries. It all depends on concentration. And often the same substance can act both as a deadly poison and as one of the most necessary components for maintaining life. A striking example of such duality are vitamins - even a slight excess of their concentration can completely destroy health or kill on the spot.

Here we propose to take a look at 10 substances that are classified as pure poisons, and are among the most dangerous and fast-acting.

Cyanide

Cyanides are a fairly large group of hydrocyanic acid salts. They are all, like the acid itself, extremely poisonous. In the last century, both hydrocyanic acid and cyanogen chloride were used as chemical warfare agents and were responsible for tens of thousands of deaths.
Potassium cyanide is also famous for its extreme toxicity. Just 200-300 mg of this white powder, which resembles granulated sugar in appearance, is enough to kill an adult in just a few seconds. Thanks to such a small dosage and incredibly quick death, this poison was chosen to kill Adolf Hitler, Joseph Goebbels, Hermann Goering and other Nazis.
They tried to poison Grigory Rasputin with this poison. True, the senders mixed cyanide into sweet wine and cakes, not knowing that sugar is one of the most powerful antidotes for this poison. So in the end they had to use the gun.

Bacillus anthrax

Anthrax is a very serious, rapidly developing disease caused by the bacteria Bacillus anthracis. There are several forms of anthrax. The most “harmless” one is the skin one. Even without treatment, the mortality rate from this form does not exceed 20%. The intestinal form kills about half of those sick, but the pulmonary form is almost certain death. Even with the help of the latest treatment methods, modern doctors manage to save no more than 5% of patients.

Sarin

Sarin was created by German scientists trying to synthesize a powerful pesticide. But this deadly poison, which causes quick but very painful death, acquired its dark fame not in agricultural fields, but as a chemical weapon. Sarin was produced by the ton for military purposes for decades, and it was only in 1993 that its production was banned. But despite calls for the complete destruction of all stocks of this substance, both terrorists and the military still use it in our time.

Amatoxins

Amatoxins are a whole group of protein poisons contained in poisonous mushrooms of the amanita family, including the deadly toadstool. The particular danger of these poisons lies in their “slowness”. Once they enter the human body, they immediately begin their destructive activity, but the victim begins to feel the first discomfort no earlier than 10 hours later, and sometimes several days later, when it is already very difficult for doctors to do anything. Even if such a patient can be saved, he will still suffer for the rest of his life from painful dysfunctions of the liver, kidneys and lungs.

Strychnine

Strychnine is found in large quantities in the nuts of the tropical chilibuha tree. It was from them that it was obtained in 1818 by the French chemists Pelletier and Cavantou. In small doses, strychnine can be used as a medicine that increases metabolic processes, improves heart function and treats paralysis. It was even actively used as an antidote for barbiturate poisoning.
However, it is one of the most powerful poisons. Its lethal dose is even less than the famous potassium cyanide, but it acts much more slowly. Death from strychnine poisoning occurs after about half an hour of terrible agony and severe convulsions.

Mercury

Mercury is extremely dangerous in all its manifestations, but its vapors and soluble compounds cause especially great harm. Even small amounts of mercury entering the body cause severe damage to the nervous system, liver, kidneys and the entire gastrointestinal tract.

When small amounts of mercury enter the body, the process of poisoning occurs gradually, but inevitably, since this poison is not eliminated, but rather accumulates. In ancient times, mercury was widely used for the production of mirrors, as well as felt for hats. Chronic poisoning with mercury vapor, expressed in behavioral disorders up to complete insanity, was at that time called “the old hatter’s disease.”

Tetrodotoxin

This extremely strong poison is found in the liver, milk and caviar of the famous puffer fish, as well as in the skin and caviar of some species of tropical frogs, octopuses, crabs and in the caviar of the Californian newt. Europeans first became acquainted with the effects of this poison in 1774, when the crew on James Cook's ship ate an unknown tropical fish, and the slops from the dinner were given to the ship's pigs. By morning, all the people were seriously ill, and the pigs died.
Tetrodotoxin poisoning is very serious, and even today doctors manage to save less than half of all those poisoned.

It is interesting to note that the famous Japanese delicacy fugu fish is prepared from fish in which the content of the most dangerous toxin exceeds lethal doses for humans. Lovers of this treat literally entrust their lives to the art of the cook. But no matter how hard the chefs try, accidents cannot be avoided, and every year several gourmets die after feasting on a delicious dish.

Ricin

Ricin is an extremely powerful poison of plant origin. The greatest danger is inhaling its smallest grains. Ricin is about 6 times more powerful a poison than potassium cyanide, but it has not been used as a weapon of mass destruction due to purely technical difficulties. But various intelligence services and terrorists are very fond of this substance. Politicians and public figures receive letters filled with ricin with enviable regularity. True, the case quite rarely ends in death, since the penetration of ricin through the lungs is quite low in efficiency. For a 100% result, ricin must be injected directly into the blood.

Vi-Ex (VX)

VX, or, as it is also called, VI gas, belongs to the category of chemical warfare gases that have a nerve-paralytic effect. It was also born as a new pesticide, but soon the military began to use it for their own purposes. Symptoms of poisoning with this gas appear within 1 minute after inhalation or contact with the skin, and death occurs within 10-15 minutes.

Botulism toxin

Botulinum toxin is produced by the bacteria Clostridium botulinum, which are the causative agents of the most dangerous disease - botulism. This is the most powerful poison of organic nature and one of the strongest poisons in the world. In the last century, botulinum toxin was part of the arsenals of chemical weapons, but at the same time, active research was conducted regarding its use in medicine. And today, a huge number of people who want to at least temporarily restore the smoothness of their skin are experiencing the influence of this terrible poison, which is part of the popular drug Botox, which once again confirms the validity of the famous saying of the great Paracelsus: “Everything is poison, everything - medicine; both are determined by the dose.”

Not only potential attackers, but also ordinary Internet users ask about how to poison a person with poison. Today, the pharmaceutical market offers consumers a variety of medications, some of which are available for purchase without a prescription.

There are also toxic substances that can quickly eliminate an opponent or, conversely, provoke a chronic disease. Age-old knowledge and modern technologies become dangerous weapons in the hands of competent people.

Potassium cyanide is known to almost everyone; at the beginning of the 20th century, the dangerous powder was a common way to get rid of unwanted persons.

The poison belongs to the group of hydrocyanic acid derivatives and is highly soluble in water. Some sources indicate a specific smell of this substance, however, not all people are able to smell it. Potassium cyanide causes poisoning if ingested, and it is also dangerous to inhale powder particles and solution vapors. The lethal dose of poison is only a few grams, but in most cases it depends on the weight and individual characteristics of the body.

Potassium cyanide can quickly poison a person. Death is affected by the route of entry of the substance into the body, so when particles are inhaled, the effect of the toxin manifests itself instantly, and when it enters the stomach, the poison begins to cause irreversible consequences after 15 minutes.

The victim goes through several stages of intoxication. At first, a sore throat is felt, then nausea and vomiting begins, and possible numbness of the throat. Over time, general weakness increases, a feeling of fear arises, and the pulse slows down. Subsequently, signs such as convulsions and loss of consciousness are noted. As a rule, if a sufficient dose of poison is ingested, a person dies within 4 hours.

With the arrival of new drugs on the pharmaceutical market, people are interested in how to poison a person with pills. The list of dangerous poisons if used incorrectly includes the following medications:

• sleeping pill "Phenazepam";
• hellebore water;
• Corvalol drops.

The medicine "Phenazepam" is prescribed by doctors as a remedy against insomnia, panic attacks and stress. It refers to psychotropic medications, and offenders use this drug to poison a person in their sleep.

Like many other drugs, Phenazepam is incompatible with alcohol - this is what criminals take advantage of, since the combined use of these tablets and alcohol leads to respiratory arrest and death. But it is not easy to get the described drug, since it is sold only with a doctor’s prescription.

Hellebore water is freely sold in pharmacies and is used not only in traditional medicine, but also as a remedy against alcohol addiction. However, some cases of intentional intoxication are not taken into account, which is why this medicine is suitable for those who want to poison a person without identifying the poison.

Lethal outcome occurs when ingested for 2 years. raw materials, hellebore water negatively affects heart function and blood pressure. Thus, the oxygen supply to the brain gradually decreases.

As a rule, alcohol accelerates the absorption of poison and signs of intoxication with hellebore water develop within 20 minutes after taking the product. Vomiting begins, and symptoms such as extreme thirst, slow heart rate, and mental disturbances are also noted. Death occurs on average after 8 hours; this medicine allows criminals to poison a person without determining the exact cause of death.

Corvalol drops can be purchased at any pharmacy, which makes them an affordable and effective medicine for poisoning. The lethal dose of the drug depends on the weight and age of the person, on average it is 150 drops.

Intoxication is characterized by prolonged sleep, decreased blood pressure and dilated pupils. The combined use of this drug with alcohol is especially dangerous; in this case, tachycardia appears and the skin turns blue. Poisoning a person slowly using Corvalol drops will most likely not work; death occurs within 24 hours, which is taken advantage of by various asocial elements of society.

Everyone knows about terrible poisons and tries to stay as far away from them as possible. It would never occur to anyone to put a jar of arsenic in the refrigerator or kitchen cabinet. But you can find a lot of all kinds of solvents, cleaners, fresheners and other products. But they are no less dangerous than potassium cyanide.

3. Insecticides help fight pests, but you can become poisoned by spraying them in unventilated areas. The use of these drugs will lead to convulsions and coma.
4. Some solvents used to remove artificial nails can cause serious consequences. When consuming them, you can get methemoglobinemia and oxygen starvation.

5. Be careful with pipe cleaners, as the fumes from these products can kill if inhaled and burn internal organs.
6. Numbing creams work on the area where they are applied, but if you do not follow the instructions, you can damage your eyes.

7. Anionic detergent, known as carpet cleaner, is very caustic and can cause organ damage, and you can be blinded if it gets in your eyes.
8. If you exceed the dose of iron tablets, you can get iron poisoning. If you don't get help within 24 hours, your brain and liver will suffer. You might even die.

9. Toilet bowl cleaners remove dirt and unpleasant odors. If consumed, this drug can damage internal organs and cause you to fall into a coma.
10. Pain pills, including paracetamol, aspirin and ibuprofen, can cause death if overdosed. The internal organs will simply fail.

11. Furniture polish can cause a coma if you drink this product or inhale it well. If polish gets into your eyes, you can go blind, and if it gets on delicate skin, it can cause burns and irritation.
12. Perfume and cologne contain alcohol ethanol and isopropanol. Both of these substances can cause nausea, anxiety and seizures.

13. Don't drink mouthwash. It can cause diarrhea, dizziness and coma.
14. Gasoline is dangerous due to its fumes, inhaling which can cause dizziness, low blood pressure, pain in the eyes, ears, nose and throat.

15. Drinking kerosene, the liquid that is used for lighting, in kerosene lamps and kerosene gases, can cause bloody stools, cramps and a burning sensation in the internal organs.
16. Moths are annoying, but you can’t eat anti-moth tablets. You can get oxygen starvation and coma.

17. Oil paints can damage the skin and, if ingested in the stomach or lungs, can cause serious problems with the nervous system and cause death.
18. Codeine is sold as prescribed by a doctor, but in overdose it causes fatigue, drowsiness, intestinal cramps and death.

19. Taking a large dose of alcoholic beverages, we not only get drunk, but get serious poisoning and even death if medical assistance is not provided in time.
20. If it turns out that someone swallowed paint thinner, then there is a risk of necrosis of the tissues of internal organs, and if inhaled, memory loss and fever.

21. Rodent poison can cause blood in the urine and stool, a metallic taste in the mouth, and as brain hemorrhage occurs, pale skin and death.
22. Some skin lightening creams contain mercury in such quantities that it can cause poisoning. The gums may bleed, there will be bloody stools, vomiting and death.

23. Most deodorants or antiperspirants contain aluminum salts and ethanol. Tasting or inhaling large enough amounts can cause diarrhea, vomiting, coma and death.
24. Turpentine is a substance that is obtained from pine. If you taste it or inhale it deeply, you can get bloody stools and die.

25. Everyone knows that thermometers contain mercury. You should not taste it, as it is a highly toxic metal.
26. Repellents contain insect poison that protects us from their bites. Ingestion of the repellent may cause vomiting, coughing and convulsions.

27. Anti-redness creams for babies can be very dangerous in the hands of children. Never leave them within the reach of an infant. You take a risk even if you step away for a minute.
28. You may have acne, which means you use special creams. Never taste these products or apply them intensively to the skin - you will minimally get contact dermatitis.

29. Calamine lotion is used for skin conditions, but it contains zinc oxide, which can cause chills, nausea and fever.
30. Teflon is used to coat pans and pots to prevent food from burning, but when heated, it can lead to cancer and other health problems. Do not leave cooked food on the Teflon surface for a long time.

31. The plastic used to make plastic bottles contains bisphenol, which can cause cancer and hormonal problems in adolescents, accelerating the transition to puberty.
32. If herbicides are destructive to one organic matter, then they can harm another. If they are consumed internally, you can fall into a coma.

33. All fireproofing materials contain polybrominated diphenyl ethers, which can cause many health problems. In Europe, the use of these substances is prohibited.
34. Sleeping pills can kill.

35. If you have items in your home that are covered with Scotchgard, which was produced before 2000, you may suffer from birth defects and other health problems.
36. The powder that is in the printer is also an unsafe material. If you print a lot with a laser printer, do it in a well-ventilated area.

37. Coal tar is a carcinogen, which means it causes cancer.
38. Formaldehyde is used in the woodworking industry; if you inhale the fumes of this substance, you can feel irritation in the nose and eyes, and nasal cancer can occur in pets.

39. Lead paint is rarely used today, but that doesn't mean lead poisoning is uncommon because you have old newspapers and books stored in your attic, or even the paint itself.
40. Motor oil can damage organs, especially the lungs. In addition, motor oil poisoning can cause brain damage and breathing problems.

Foods and drinks that are very familiar to us can turn out to be deadly. And the simplest objects contain poison. It turns out that the most powerful poisons are sometimes close to us, and we don’t even suspect it.

Dangerous poisons

Mercury. Everyone at home has the most common item - a mercury thermometer. It turns out that if you spill mercury from two or three thermometers in a medium-sized room, this will 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. The most famous are common vipers, cobras, rattlesnakes, black mambas, and small snakes - sand ephs.

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

The fastest poison

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

Cyanide can be determined using a solution of ferric salts

By the way, they tried to poison Grigory Rasputin with potassium cyanide, but they couldn’t because they added the poison to a sweet pie. Glucose is an antidote to potassium cyanide.

The most accessible poisons

Although the Germans have learned to prepare fly agarics in such a way that they are not poisoned by them, it is true that it takes them a lot of time to prepare these mushrooms - they boil them for days. True, the question arises - why do they need fly agarics when they can simply take other mushrooms for food? And of course, we must remember the rules for storing cooked mushrooms; even edible mushrooms can become poisonous if the shelf life is violated.

Regular potatoes or bread can also be poisonous. When stored improperly, potatoes accumulate the substance solanine, which causes poisoning to the body. And bread becomes poisonous if flour was used to make it and contained cereals contaminated with ergot. We are not talking about fatal poisoning, but it is quite possible to ruin your health with such products.

In addition, there are many household chemicals and fertilizers that can also cause poisoning. For example, potassium chloride is the most common fertilizer, but if it gets into the blood it becomes deadly, since potassium ions block the activity of the heart.

The most famous poison

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

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

The most famous poisoners

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

The most powerful poison in the world

Among natural poisons, batrachotoxin is very dangerous; it is secreted by the skin of small but dangerous amphibians - 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 poisonous. As the editors of the site found out, the most poisonous creature on Earth is the jellyfish.
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