SciShow
The Hallucinogenic Fungi That May Treat Alzheimer’s
If you've ever heard of ergot fungi, you've likely heard of the nasty side effects of eating them, including convulsions and hallucinations. But like many a toxic substance, scientists have figured out ways to use ergot for good....
PBS
Why Does Caffeine Exist?
Today, billions of people around the world start their day with caffeine. But how and why did the ability to produce this molecule independently evolve in multiple, distantly-related lineages of flowering plants, again and again?
PBS
When Ancient People Changed Their Own DNA
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SciShow
Good News: Daffodils Are The Worst
Daffodils are cheerful symbols of spring… and also cold blooded killers. But it turns out, the poison in these plants may actually be helpful to us humans!
TED-Ed
TED-Ed: Why don't poisonous animals poison themselves? - Rebecca D. Tarvin
Thousands of animal species use toxic chemicals to defend themselves from predators. Snakes have blood clotting compounds in their fangs, the bombardier beetle has corrosive liquid in its abdomen and jellyfish have venomous, harpoon-like...
SciShow
The Most Venomous Animals in the World
There are a lot of ways to kill and be killed in the animal kingdom, but only a lucky few use the powers of venom. Not all are closely related, so how did they acquire the same defenses, where did venom come from, and how does it work?...
SciShow
3 Weird Ways Olde Tyme People Got High
Humans have been processing plants for their narcotic effects for at least 5000 years, historically for ceremonial purposes, to deal with harsh environmental conditions or difficult situations, and sometimes even to supplement...
SciShow
How "Flying Death" Has Saved Hundreds of Lives
Curare, known as "flying death," was used for centuries to make poisoned arrows. Scientists discovered how to use it to create life saving medical treatments that we still use today.
SciShow
Good News: Daffodils Are The Worst
Daffodils are cheerful symbols of spring… and also cold blooded killers. But it turns out, the poison in these plants may actually be helpful to us humans!
SciShow
A Cure for Ebola, Rabies, & Other Virus Villains?
Viruses are among humanity's greatest threats and it seems like they're always one step ahead of us. But this week, biologists say that they've discovered a new weapon we can use against some of our most nefarious virus enemies - and it...
SciShow
Why Can't Dogs Eat Chocolate?
It’s hard to say 'no' to puppy eyes, so here’s some information you can share with your pets next time you unwrap that chocolate bar
SciShow
8 Survival Myths That Will Definitely Make Things Worse
You might think you know how to survive if you end up stranded in the wild, but those tips you read on the internet might just make things worse! Some tips seem too good to be true, and they are. Others are ingrained enough to be common...
Catalyst University
Cocaine | Biosynthesis, Mechanism of Action, & Metabolism
In this video, we explore the biosynthesis, mechanism of action, and metabolism of the plant alkaloid, cocaine.
Professor Dave Explains
Illicit Drugs: How Do They Work?
Drugs of all varieties are very interesting from a biochemical standpoint, as they produce an incredible array of physiological effects. These effects are due to the shape of each molecule, which determines the cellular components they...