Everything is poison. A new look at the ideas of paracelsus, or about the incompatibility of drugs

“Everything is poison, and nothing is without poison; only one dose makes the poison invisible, ”said one of the greatest scientists of the 16th century, Paracelsus. His real name is Philip Aureol Theophrastus Bombast von Hohenheim - born on September 21, 1493, the city of Eg, canton of Schwyz, died, in full accordance with my hypothesis (), - September 24, 1541 Salzburg.
According to Paracelsus, everything in the world has only one source - the "great mystery" - Misterium Magnum, from which everything arises and to which everything returns. Everything that is available to our eyes is only a small part of reality, its most rough material component. The world is diverse, complex and full of secrets. It is impossible to comprehend the laws of the universe and one's own existence by the forces of the mind, in the course of scientific work alone. Nevertheless, man, as a being endowed with a divine soul, is capable and entitled to any knowledge: there is no forbidden and hidden knowledge. As, however, this is also said in the Bible - "For there is nothing hidden that would not be made manifest, nor hidden that would not be made known and would not be revealed" (Luke 8:16-17).
Man is a microcosm in which all the elements of the macrocosm are reflected. Paracelsus believed that man is like the Universe with its own laws, with its own firmament. The "small cosmos" is closely connected with the entire Universe - the large cosmos. The connecting link between the two worlds is the power of "M" (either Misterium Magnumс, or is it the name of the god Mercury - in Ancient Rome Hermes Trismegistus was known as Mercury).
Man is the quintessence, or the fifth, true essence of the world) and is produced by God from the “exhaust” of the whole world and therefore carries the image of the Creator. therefore, a person who has known the Highest can command the earth and the stars.”
According to the teachings of Paracelsus, a person is dual in nature: “If a person is like his animal father, then he is like an animal; if he is like the Divine Spirit, which can illumine his animal elements, then he is like God.” natural man possesses the earth element, the earth is his mother, and he returns to her, losing his natural flesh; but the true man will be reborn on the day of resurrection in another, spiritual and glorified body. Spiritual reality is the original reality, to which sooner or later everything must return. As any natural metal, according to the then prevailing alchemical ideas, tends to become gold, so a person strives to return to Materia Spiritualis, "spiritual matter", through the complete transformation of his entire being.
"That which is below is analogous to that which is above. And that which is above is analogous to that which is below, in order to bring about the miracles of the one thing," as stated in the Emerald Tablet of Hermes Trismegistus. Paracelsus sought to develop this principle in his teaching and in practice, which at that time was called iatrochemistry (from the ancient Greek doctor) - the direction of alchemy of the 16th-17th centuries, which set its main goal preparation of medicines.
Paracelsus was sure that the laws of the universe are similar to the laws of the microcosm, therefore, analogies and parallels can be found between the universe and man. Man's knowledge of his soul gives him power over nature. Self-knowledge is the key to knowing the universe. This approach goes back to the ideas of the ancient Greeks: "Know thyself" - reads the inscription on the temple of Apollo at Delphi. It is believed that this inscription arose as an answer to the question of the sage Chilo: "What is the best thing for people?"
Paracelsus warned that the power that is revealed in self-knowledge should not be used to accumulate earthly wealth. This power is given to obtain spiritual gold.
Paracelsus believed in the limitlessness of human possibilities in the knowledge of the world. “People do not know themselves and therefore do not know what exists in their inner world. Each person has a divine essence (essence), all the wisdom and power of the world are embedded in him in the bud, all kinds of knowledge are available to him in equal measure; and if someone has not discovered this in himself, he has no right to say that he does not possess this, but only that he was not able to seek and find it.
There is nothing forbidden for human knowledge, a person is able and even obliged to explore all phenomena, all essences that exist not only in nature, but also outside it. “It is necessary to seek and knock, turning to the almighty Power within us, and keep it awake; and if we do this the right way and with a pure, open heart, we will receive what we ask for and find what we seek, and the doors of the Eternal that were locked will open before us ... ". These thoughts are a direct development of biblical truths: The Gospel of Matthew (ch. 7, v. 7-8) says: “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you; For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.” The same is said in the Gospel of Luke (ch. 11, v. 9): “And I will tell you: ask, and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you."
It was Paracelsus (and not Tolkien) who coined the word "dwarf" for a fantastic creature of small size and gave the name to the metal zinc.

Poisons have been used from ancient times to the present as a weapon, antidote, and even medicine.

In fact, poisons are all around us, in drinking water, in household items and even our blood.

The word "poison" is used to describe any substance that can cause a dangerous disorder in the body.

Even in small amounts, poison can lead to poisoning and death.

Here are some examples of some of the most insidious poisons that can be fatal to humans.

Many poisons can be lethal in small doses, making it difficult to isolate the most dangerous one. However, many experts agree that botulinum toxin, which is used in Botox injections to smooth wrinkles is the strongest.

Botulism is serious illness, leading to paralysis caused by botulinum toxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. This poison causes damage to the nervous system, respiratory arrest and death in terrible agony.

Symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, double vision, weakness of the facial muscles, speech defects, difficulty swallowing and others. The bacterium can enter the body through food (usually poorly preserved foods) and through open wounds.

2. Poison ricin

Ricin is a natural poison. To kill an adult, a few grains are enough. Ricin kills cells in the human body by preventing the production of the proteins it needs, resulting in organ failure. A person can become poisoned by ricin through inhalation or after ingestion.

If inhaled, symptoms of poisoning usually appear 8 hours after exposure, and include breathing difficulties, fever, cough, nausea, sweating, and chest tightness.

If swallowed, symptoms appear in less than 6 hours and include nausea and diarrhea (possibly bloody), low blood pressure, hallucinations, and seizures. Death can occur in 36-72 hours.

3. Sarin gas

Sarin is one of most dangerous and deadly nerve gases, which is hundreds of times more toxic than cyanide. Sarin was originally produced as a pesticide, but this clear, odorless gas soon became a powerful chemical weapon.

A person can become poisoned by sarin through inhalation or exposure of the gas to the eyes and skin. Initially, symptoms such as runny nose and tightness in the chest, breathing is difficult and nausea occurs.

The person then loses control of all body functions and falls into a coma, with convulsions and spasms until suffocation occurs.

4. Tetrodotoxin

This deadly poison found in the organs of fish of the genus Pufferfish, from which the famous Japanese delicacy "fugu" is prepared. Tetrodotoxin persists in the skin, liver, intestines and other organs, even after the fish has been cooked.

This toxin causes paralysis, convulsions, mental disorder and other symptoms. Death occurs within 6 hours after the poison is ingested.

Every year, several people are known to die of agonizing death from tetrodotoxin poisoning after consuming fugu.

5. Potassium cyanide

Potassium cyanide is one of the fastest deadly poisons, known to mankind. It may be in the form of crystals and colorless gas with a "bitter almond" odor. Cyanide can be found in some foods and plants. It is found in cigarettes and is used to make plastic, photographs, extract gold from ore, and kill unwanted insects.

Cyanide has been used since ancient times, and in modern world he was the death penalty. Poisoning can occur by inhalation, ingestion, and even touching, causing symptoms such as convulsions, respiratory failure and, in severe cases, death which may come in a few minutes. It kills by binding to iron in blood cells, rendering them unable to carry oxygen.

6. Mercury and mercury poisoning

There are three forms of mercury that can be potentially hazardous: elemental, inorganic, and organic. elemental mercury, which found in mercury thermometers, old fillings and fluorescent lights, non-toxic when touched, but may be lethal if inhaled.

Inhalation of mercury vapor (the metal quickly turns into a gas at room temperature) affects lungs and brain shutting down the central nervous system.

Inorganic mercury, which is used to manufacture batteries, can be fatal if ingested, cause kidney damage and other symptoms. Organic mercury, found in fish and seafood, is usually dangerous with long-term exposure. Symptoms of poisoning may include memory loss, blindness, seizures, and others.

7. Strychnine and strychnine poisoning

Strychnine is a white, bitter, odorless crystalline powder that can be ingested, inhaled, in solution, and administered intravenously.

The degree of strychnine poisoning depends on the amounts and the route of entry into the body, but a small amount of this poison is enough to cause a serious condition. Symptoms of poisoning include muscle spasms, respiratory failure and even lead to brain death 30 minutes after exposure.

8. Arsenic and arsenic poisoning

Arsenic, which is the 33rd element in the periodic table, has long been synonymous with poison. It has often been used as a favorite poison in political assassinations, as arsenic poisoning resembled cholera symptoms.

Arsenic is considered a heavy metal with properties similar to those of lead and mercury. In high concentrations, it can lead to symptoms of poisoning such as abdominal pain, convulsions, coma and death. In small amounts, it can contribute to a number of diseases, including cancer, heart disease, and diabetes.

9. Poison Curare

Curare is a mixture of various South American plants that have been used for poison arrows. Curare has been used in medical purposes in highly dissolved form. The main poison is an alkaloid, which causes paralysis and death, as well as strychnine and hemlock. However, after paralysis occurs respiratory system, the heart can keep beating.

Death from curare is slow and painful, as the victim remains conscious but unable to move or speak. However, if artificial respiration is applied before the poison settles, the person can be saved. The Amazon tribes used curare to hunt animals, but the poisoned animal meat was not dangerous to those who consumed it.

10. Batrachotoxin

Fortunately, the chances of encountering this poison are very small. Batrachotoxin, found in the skin of tiny poison dart frogs, is one of the most powerful neurotoxins in the world.

The frogs themselves do not produce poison, it accumulates from the foods they consume, mostly small bugs. The most dangerous content of the poison was found in a species of frog terrible leaf climber living in Colombia.

One representative contains enough batrachotoxin to kill two dozen people or several elephants. Poison affects the nerves, especially around the heart, makes it difficult to breathe and quickly leads to death.

Original taken from biboroda in

Original taken from nathoncharova in Lethal doses for our body.

AT modern life it is very important to know the measure. Paracelsus, the founder of modern pharmacology, expressed this very well in his quote “Everything is a poison, everything is a medicine, and both determine the dose.” Any substance in the world has its lethal dose.

Lethal dose of alcohol

Alcohol is, of course, not a vital product, but many people use it quite often, with or without reason. The lethal dose of alcohol for a person is 6-12 grams of alcohol per kilogram of body weight. To make it clear, these are three liter bottles in one, but your own body can save you by dropping toxic substances (vomiting, diarrhea, etc.). But there are curious cases, such as in 2004 in Bulgaria in the city of Plovdiv, a man was hit by a car, 9.4 ppm of ethanol was found in his blood (a lethal dose is considered to be 6 ppm). Here's the paradox, he was hit by a car and there was a lethal dose of alcohol in his blood, and he recovers in a couple of days.

Lethal dose of vitamins

All vitamins can be fatal to humans if consumed in large quantities. Lack and excess of certain vitamins are equally harmful to the body. For example, vitamin A deficiency will lead to increased hair loss, and hypervitaminosis to poisoning. Daily doses of any vitamins must be indicated on the packaging.

lethal dose of sunlight

For several years now, there has been a trend of abnormal heat in the world, even in the north people are aware of how dangerous the Sun can be. Even in the last century, they thought that the more you are in the Sun, the better. But it has already been proven that excessive exposure to the Sun leads to skin defects, decreased sexual function, the development of cancer and death. The lethal dose in the sun is 8 hours.

lethal dose of nicotine

You think nicotine is found only in tobacco, you are deeply mistaken, it is found in tomatoes, potatoes, bell pepper and eggplant. But the concentration in the products is absolutely not harmful to humans, so do not bother. Nicotine is a very strong poison. The lethal dose of nicotine for a person is 0.5-1 mg per kilogram of weight, which was more understandable, this is about 100 cigarettes at a time.

lethal dose of salt

No one can live without salt creature. Our daily rate salt is only 1.5-4 g. If you do not use salt, then muscles will begin to die, the work of the stomach and heart will be disturbed, as well as the psyche will be disturbed and there will be constant depression. Complete absence salt in the diet will kill a person in 10 days. Excess salt is also very dangerous. The lethal dose of salt for a person is 250 g. Death will be very painful, as there will be a lot of swelling.

Lethal dose of caffeine

Contains caffeine in coffee, tea, energy drinks and cola. In a small amount, caffeine causes a feeling of cheerfulness and a surge of strength, although after 3 hours this is all replaced by lethargy and fatigue. A lethal dose of caffeine is 10 grams, translated into liters, this is 4.5 liters of coffee.

lethal dose of water

Water is life. Everyone knows it! Nevertheless, she can be poisoned, even if she is spring. Too much water leads to overhydration - this is a violation of all body functions and further death. To achieve this, you need to drink more than 7 liters of water per day. Of course, water poisoning is rare, but it does happen. So in 1995, schoolgirl Lee Bette drank Ecstasy at her own birthday party, and then 7 liters of water and died after 4 hours. In 2004, in Springville, USA, a mother forced her 5 year old daughter to drink 5 liters of water as punishment. The result is a mother in prison, the child died. January 2007 radio station KDND in Sacramento, USA holds a competition called "Don't pee - get game console". One participant drank 7.5 liters of water and died two hours later, and the girl who won the contest remained disabled for life. Lawsuits have been filed against the radio station.