The Poison Lab

In this episode of The Poison Lab, host Ryan Feldman is joined by medical toxicologist Damilola Idowu‑Ellsworth for a fast-moving, case-heavy conversation packed with clinical pearls, listener participation, and classic toxicology weirdness.
The show opens with listener guesses for the previously released mystery case before diving headfirst into a rapid-fire series of Stump the Toxicologist cases—questions pulled straight from the internet and real-world toxicology problem-solving. Along the way, Ryan and Dami cover everything from rodenticides and drug-testing myths to how to clean a benzodiazepine bottle, plus one of the most toxic substances you’ve probably never heard of.
One lucky listener also wins a copy of Poisonous Fungus Amongus, and a shout-out to the newly released second edition featuring photography from expert mycologists.
Skip the listener guesses and jump straight to the mystery toxin: 38:15
Mystery toxin case
The rest of the episode is Dr. Idowu and Ryan discuss the topics below. Looking for timestamps? Join the supporting member feed!
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Stump the Toxicologist – Case Discussions
(Looking for timestamps? Join the supporting member feed!)
Case #1
A methemoglobinemia, renal failure inducing enema

Case #2
Wide-complex dysrhythmia from an over-the-counter topical
Bonus - Paper from Ryan on the topical toxicity (or lack there of) of this product

Case #3
Black stools, seizures, high sodium and low potassium after trying to beat a drug test.

Case #4
GCS 15 and normal vitals… until they’re not — delayed seizures, neurologic collapse, and a toxicologic time bomb.
Paper from Ryan on this tricky toxic time bomb

Internet & Listener Questions
Do GLP-1 agonists release toxins from fat and how might that impact drugged driving laws with THC?
Why do sedatives make you twitch?
Not all benzos are Xanax
What shape is a ketamine crystal

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Hey everybody, you’re listening to The Poison Lab—well, almost.
We’ve got a new episode coming next week, but we’re running a little behind on our usual release schedule because… life happens. That said, if you’re looking for some toxicology content right now, I’ve got you covered.
Recently, I had the chance to appear on two local and state radio shows talking about one of my favorite topics: mushroom poisoning 🍄—and both were an absolute blast.
🌱 Garden Talk (Call-In Episode) (Ryan starts @ 1 hour and 14 min)
The first appearance was on Garden Talk, a fun, live call-in show where we covered:
Mushroom poisoning basics
Listener questions
My game GOTTA PICCEM
The book Poisonous Fungus Among Us

It was lively, unpredictable, and a great example of how curious people are about mushrooms once you open the door.
📻 Local Health Update Radio Segment
After that, I joined a local radio health update to talk specifically about mushroom poisoning from a public-health perspective. It’s always interesting to hear how radio hosts approach such a niche topic—and how quickly it turns into something broadly relevant.
🔬 Want a Quick Toxicology Fix?
If you’re itching for some Poison Lab content while you wait for the next full episode, these two appearances are a great place to start.
And don’t worry—we’ll be back next week with a full episode and answers to our mystery case.
Thanks, as always, for listening.
Hope to see you there.
— Ryan

Do you think you know the cause of these symptoms? Send your guesses to [email protected] to take part in the next episode
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Bonus content and early access
Discounts and give aways on GOTA PICCEM Mushroom card game

The GOTTA PICCEM Poisonous Mushroom Game!
The Poisonus Fungus Amongus Children's Book!
Full book reading (6 minutes!)

Tox trinkets (Rep the show at home!)
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In November 2022, hospitals across Australia began seeing patients with sudden rigidity, spasms, seizures—and in some cases cardiac arrest—after drinking homemade poppy seed tea. The source? Food-shelf poppy seeds contaminated with extraordinarily high levels of thebaine, an opioid alkaloid that acts nothing like morphine. In this Outbreak episode, host Ryan Feldman, clinical toxicologist and emergency medicine pharmacist, investigates how pharmaceutical-grade, thebaine-rich poppy seeds were mistakenly repackaged into the food supply—and how poison centers, clinicians, labs, and public health teams traced and contained the threat within days.
You’ll hear firsthand from the experts who responded:
Dr. Katherine Isoardi, Emergency Physician, Clinical Toxicologist, Medical Director, Queensland Poisons Information Centre
Dr. Amanda Holford, Clinical Toxicology Fellow & Emergency Physician, Princess Alexandra Hospital
Dr. Darren Roberts, Medical Director, NSW Poisons Information Centre; Nephrologist; Clinical Pharmacologist

Together, they walk us through the outbreak timeline—from the first ICU cases and puzzling “strych­nine-like” neuroexcitation to the multi-state investigation, product recall, and lessons for future foodborne poisonings.
Looking for timestamps?
A fully timestamped version—so you can jump to any topic—is available to our supporting members.
💡 Key topics:
Clinical presentation of thebaine toxicity (rigidity, spasms, seizures, metabolic acidosis) and how it differs from classic opioid effects
Why thebaine behaves like a glycine receptor antagonist (strych­nine-like) rather than a sedating mu agonist
How early-warning networks (e.g., PRISE in NSW; EDNA in QLD), poison centers, and forensic labs coordinated a rapid response
Public health trace-back: mislabeled/repacked pharmaceutical poppy seeds entering the food supply; national recalls
Practical ED management pearls (benzodiazepines, airway/ICU support; recognizing recurrent symptoms) and communication pitfalls during mass poisonings

📍 Resources & Mentions:
Dr. Isoardi led case series on thebaine-contaminated poppy seeds (Queensland Health, NSW Health)
Dr. Roberts led kinetics study on thebaine
Prior Poison Lab Outbreak episode: Markham Aconite Poisoning

🎧 Listen now: www.ThePoisonLab.com
💬 Have thoughts or questions?
Instagram @tox_talk • Twitter @LabPoison • Email [email protected]
Disclaimer: The Poison Lab is for educational purposes only and does not provide medical advice. If you suspect a poisoning, contact your local poison center. In the U.S., call 1-800-222-1222.
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Get your copy here! https://a.co/d/8QUBmQy
Want to hear it with insights from the author?:
• Poisonous Fungus Among Us | Full Children’...
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• Poisonous Fungus Amongus Highlights Reel
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• Poisonous Fungus Amongus- Children's Book ...
From the mind of a toxicologist who treats real mushroom poisonings alongside doctors and poison centers comes Poisonous Fungus Amongus—a playful, rhyming adventure into the fascinating world of poisonous mushrooms!
Inside, readers will find a colorful introduction to mushroom anatomy and ecology—learning the parts of a mushroom and discovering helpful hints for safe foraging and identifying dangerous look-alikes. Every species featured in these pages is a real poisonous mushroom, brought to life through vivid illustrations and engaging verse.
This beautifully illustrated book goes beyond the basics, exploring how mushrooms grow, reproduce, and take shape in nature—from tiny spores to sprawling mycelium to the fruiting bodies we find in forests and fields.
Through rhymes and clear explanations, readers learn to recognize essential mushroom features—caps, gills, pores, rings, bulbs (volvas), veils, warts, scales, spore prints, and gill types like free, adnate, and decurrent. Each detail helps distinguish the edible from the toxic—and shows how some features can fool us!
The story encourages safe and curious observation: note each feature, dig gently to look for bulbs, observe nearby trees and seasons, and check for bruising or color changes. Along the way, readers also discover fungi’s hidden ecological roles, from tree-nurturing mycorrhizae to the saprotrophs that recycle the forest floor.
With rhythm, rhyme, and a spark of scientific wonder, Poisonous Fungus Amongus blends accuracy with imagination—inviting kids and adults alike to explore and respect the natural world, while learning that curiosity and caution must always grow together when it comes to mushrooms.
Perfect for young readers, nature lovers, teachers, and families who want to explore the mysterious and magical world of fungi!
Support the show
Review the show where ever your listening
Get Messages from Toxo (Join the Newsletter!)
Join as a supporting member
Ad free episodes
Bonus content and early access
Discounts and give aways on GOTA PICCEM Mushroom card game

The GOTTA PICCEM Poisonous Mushroom Game!
The...