Discussion » Statements » Rosie's Corner » If you are slowly given poison a little bit at a time over a certain period of time does the body adjust to it and eventually depend on it?
RosieG

If you are slowly given poison a little bit at a time over a certain period of time does the body adjust to it and eventually depend on it?

Literally or figuratively?

Posted - February 17, 2021
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Responses


  • 34266
    Generally, it will kill you. 
      February 17, 2021 9:56 AM MST
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  • 10637
    Literally, no.  That's fiction (books and movies).
    Figuratively, yes.  Consider alcohol and nicotine.  
      February 17, 2021 10:40 AM MST
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  • 34266
    Take a miniscule dose of mercury daily and see how long you live. 
      February 17, 2021 10:44 AM MST
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  • 44608
    Metallic mercury will pass through your body. Mercury salts are quite harmful, though, so you are correct.
      February 17, 2021 11:45 AM MST
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  • 34266
    We are adviced to limit our intake of many seafoods because of the mercury they contain especially while pregnant or best feeding.  It attacks the brain, kidneys and circulatory system.  
      February 17, 2021 1:37 PM MST
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  • 44608
    I know. Those are the soluble salts of mercury, and over time they could be harmful. Cadmium is also of great concern.
      February 17, 2021 2:54 PM MST
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  • 34266
    Ok. What I read calls it metallic mercury poisoning.

    Metallic mercury is very toxic. 
    https://www.thoughtco.com/can-you-touch-mercury-608434


    This post was edited by my2cents at February 17, 2021 3:12 PM MST
      February 17, 2021 3:02 PM MST
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  • 44608
    That is like calling what we call table salt 'sodium' The author of what you read was misleading...probably unintentionally.
      February 17, 2021 3:13 PM MST
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  • 34266
    Could be but still liquid mercury is toxic and should not be touched, ingested or inhaled (it also vaporizes easily) as it attacks the same organs as the mercury salt does.  (Link above)
      February 17, 2021 3:17 PM MST
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  • 44608
    Here is a better post. The one you posted sounds like it was written by a high school chemistry student trying to please his/her teacher. Sorry...I taught chemistry for 20 years. Mercury vapors are quite hazardous.
      February 18, 2021 7:35 AM MST
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  • 10637
    Considering where I live, I probably have.  However, until the 1800's mercury wasn't considered to be a poison.  
      February 17, 2021 12:18 PM MST
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  • 34266
    Does not change that it is a poison. 
      February 17, 2021 1:28 PM MST
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  • 113301
    You're talking ADDICTION. Now what causes some who drink and smoke to become ADDICTED physically mentally emotionally while others who drink and smoke can and do quit without too much difficulty? I read that the psychological addiction to smoking is far harder to combat than the physical. Since I was never smoker I find it really hard to believe you can become PSYCHOLOGICALLY addicted to anything. Thank you for your reply Shuhak and Happy Friday! :)
      February 19, 2021 4:35 AM MST
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  • 44608
    One cannot generalize with a strict yes or no on this. It depends on the poison/venom.



    The acquisition of human immunity against snake venom is ancient (from around 60 CE, Psylli tribe). Research into development of vaccines that will lead to immunity is ongoing. Bill Haast, owner and director of the Miami Serpentarium, injected himself with snake venom during most of his adult life, in an effort to build up an immunity to a broad array of venomous snakes, in a practice known as mithridatism. Haast lived to age 100, and survived a reported 172 snake bites. He donated his blood to be used in treating snake-bite victims when a suitable antivenom was not available. More than 20 so-treated individuals recovered.[41][42][43] Amateur researcher Tim Friede also lets venomous snakes bite him in the hopes of a vaccine against snake venom being developed, and has survived over 160 bites from different species as of January 2016.[44]
      February 17, 2021 11:53 AM MST
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  • 34266
    Venom and poison are not the same thing.  Both are toxins.  Venom must be injected. Poison must be ingested or absorbed. 
      February 17, 2021 1:27 PM MST
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  • 44608
    True...I thought of that while posting, but I thought it was kind of cool anyway. I posted a question once about 'poisonous' snakes and only a few caught it. Many don't know the difference.
      February 17, 2021 3:15 PM MST
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  • 34266
    It came up recently with my sons.  We were talking about setting up a new tank (it cannot hold water anymore) and I mentioned I liked "poison dart frogs" and got into a whole conversation about how the name is incorrect. 
      February 17, 2021 3:23 PM MST
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  • 44608
    Are now fully enlightened. Tell them they are neither when you buy them at the pet store.
      February 17, 2021 3:26 PM MST
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  • 34266
    Yes. We know that as well. Their poison is the wild is from the food they eat. This post was edited by my2cents at February 17, 2021 3:35 PM MST
      February 17, 2021 3:34 PM MST
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  • 113301
    Well m'dear this is AMAZING information. I think maybe perhaps somewhere sometime I might have seen a movie or heard something that caused me to ask the question. But this history on this issue blows my mind. Thank you for your super helpful and super informative reply E. It is way more than I could have anticipated. Truth beats fiction every time! Happy Thursday to thee and thine and STAY SAFE! :)
      February 18, 2021 1:45 AM MST
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  • 44608
    Keep in mind that my answer does not reflect your question. As m2c and I were discussing, venom and poison are different. I just thought it was a cool article.
      February 18, 2021 7:24 AM MST
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  • 113301
    I know they are different however I did extrapolate and you are cautioning be against doing that for which I thank you. I do leap to conclusions. So with venom yes with poison no. :)
      February 18, 2021 7:26 AM MST
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