Podcast Summary
Encountering venomous snakes in the wild: Stay informed, be prepared, and take precautions to avoid snake bites in nature. Quick thinking and prompt medical attention can save lives.
Encounters with venomous snakes can be life-threatening and result in painful and unpredictable symptoms. Gwen's story of getting bitten by a rattlesnake while on a field trip highlights the unexpected nature of such incidents and the importance of being prepared. The experience led Gwen to be more cautious in her future field work, taking precautions such as wearing shoes and gaiters and avoiding areas with a high risk of rattlesnake encounters. Despite the terrifying ordeal, Gwen's quick thinking and actions, along with the care she received at the hospital, allowed for a relatively quick recovery. It's a reminder that even in the great outdoors, potential dangers exist and being informed and prepared can make all the difference.
Venomous Snakes and Their Impact on Humans: Erin and the speaker discussed the dangers of venomous snakes, focusing on elapids, viperids, and attractospidinae, and their venom's effects on the human body. They also mentioned resources for further learning.
During this episode of "This Podcast Will Kill You," Erin and the speaker discussed the venomous snakes and their impact on humans. They focused on three major groups of venomous snakes: elapids (cobras, mambas, and sea snakes), viperids (vipers, pit vipers, and adders), and attractospidinae (mole vipers and stiletto snakes). These snakes possess venom glands connected to their fangs, which can pose a significant danger to humans. The speakers did not delve into the biology of snakes but instead focused on the venom and its effects on the human body. The episode concluded with a discussion about snake bite cocktails and a promise to share the recipe on their website. The speakers also mentioned their various resources, including their bookshop.org affiliate account, Good Reads list, and transcripts of all episodes.
The Complexity of Snake Venom: More Than Just Toxins: Snake venom is a complex mixture of proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and toxins, with up to 200 components. It varies greatly between species and even within the same species, and serves to immobilize or kill prey, aid in digestion, or defend against predators. Humans are often unintended victims in the evolution of these venoms.
Snake venom is a complex mixture of proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and toxins that vary greatly between different snake species and even within the same species. These venoms are primarily used to immobilize or kill prey, aid in digestion, or defend against predators. Snake venom evolution is driven by the specific physiology and ecology of both the prey and predators. Humans are considered collateral damage in the chemical arms race between snakes and their prey. Each venom consists of 50 to 200 components, some of which are harmful toxins and others that serve facilitatory roles. Neurotoxic venoms affect the nervous system, hemotoxic venoms impact the ability to coagulate blood, and cytotoxic venoms cause tissue damage and death. However, these generalizations are not absolute, and there is significant variation and exceptions to these rules. For instance, some cobras, which are typically neurotoxic, have cytotoxic and hemotoxic properties. Similarly, rattlesnakes, known for their hemotoxic venom, can also have neurotoxic properties. The complexity of snake venom is mind-blowing, and it's important to remember that individual variations and population differences can significantly impact the specific venom composition.
Understanding Snake Venom: Cytotoxic, Hemotoxic, or Neurotoxic: Understanding the type and severity of snake venom is crucial for providing appropriate medical care. Cytotoxic venom causes tissue damage and local or systemic effects, hemotoxic venom leads to hemorrhage, and neurotoxic venom affects the nervous system, potentially leading to paralysis or death.
When it comes to snake bites, understanding the type and severity of the venom is crucial. Snake venom can be categorized into three main types: cytotoxic, hemotoxic, and neurotoxic. Cytotoxic venom causes local effects such as severe swelling, blisters, tissue damage, and even tissue death. In some cases, it can lead to systemic effects like muscle damage and kidney failure. Hemotoxic venom, on the other hand, causes hemorrhage, leading to local or systemic bleeding. Both local and systemic hemorrhage can be life-threatening. Neurotoxic venom affects the nervous system, leading to symptoms like paralysis, difficulty breathing, and even death. It's important to note that not all venomous snake bites result in envenomation, as some snakes may deliver dry bites without injecting venom. The specific proteins and enzymes in snake venom, such as phospholipases, SVMPs, SVSPs, and three-finger peptides, contribute to the various effects. Understanding the type and severity of the venom can help in providing appropriate medical care and potentially saving lives.
Snake venom harms the body through vascular permeability and coagulation cascade disruption: Snake venom causes harm by damaging blood vessels and disrupting the coagulation cascade, leading to dangerous combinations of clotting and hemorrhage.
Snake venom, specifically hemotoxic venom, can cause significant harm to the body through two main mechanisms: vascular permeability and coagulation cascade disruption. Vascular permeability occurs when toxins attack the basement membrane of blood vessels, leading to leaky vessels, hypotension, shock, and potential death. Coagulation cascade disruption, on the other hand, activates various clotting factors and uses them up, leaving the body unable to form clots and leading to uncontrolled bleeding. These mechanisms often go hand in hand, resulting in a dangerous combination of clotting and hemorrhage. The specific effects on the coagulation cascade vary between different snake venom toxins, highlighting the complexity and diversity of these natural compounds. Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for developing effective treatments for snakebites and potentially harnessing the therapeutic potential of these venoms.
Snakes: Fascinating Creatures with Historical Significance and Complex Venoms: Snakes have complex venoms that affect the neuromuscular junction, leading to paralysis. Understanding these mechanisms can reduce fear and promote understanding, while recognizing the evolutionary adaptiveness of snake fear.
Despite being feared by many due to their venomous bites, snakes are fascinating creatures with important historical significance. They hold meaning in human history and are the source of various phobias, including the common fear of snakes. Snakes have evolved complex venoms that can affect the neuromuscular junction in various ways, leading to descending paralysis. These venoms can inhibit neurotransmitter release, deplete neurotransmitters, block neurotransmitter breakdown, or interfere with neurotransmitters directly. Despite the fear, understanding these mechanisms can help reduce the mystery and fear surrounding snakes. However, it's also important to recognize that the fear is evolutionarily adaptive. While most snake venoms result in an acute flaccid paralysis, there are exceptions, such as some South American rattlesnake venoms that cause a spastic paralysis similar to tetanus. Overall, snakes are beautiful and important creatures, and knowledge about their venoms and the mechanisms behind their effects can help reduce fear and promote understanding.
Avoid common myths about treating snakebites: Instead of attempting to suck out venom or cut open the wound, immobilize the affected limb and apply gentle compression with a pressure dressing to help reduce the spread of toxins. Seek prompt medical care and provide a description of the snake if possible, but do not attempt to capture or photograph it for identification.
Snake venom can have a wide range of effects on the human body, and it's important to avoid common myths about treating snakebites, such as sucking out the venom or cutting open the wound. Instead, immobilizing the affected limb and applying gentle compression with a pressure dressing can help reduce the spread of toxins. However, identifying the specific type of snake that caused the bite can be challenging, making it essential to seek prompt medical care. While it might be helpful to describe the snake if possible, attempting to capture or photograph it for identification is dangerous and not recommended. In Australia and New Guinea, specialized testing for venom identification is available, but in other regions, cleaning the wound gently is the best course of action.
Determining the right antivenom for snakebites: Identify snake type for appropriate antivenom, administer as soon as possible, and provide supportive care.
When dealing with snakebites, it's crucial to determine the type of snake involved to administer the appropriate antivenom. Antivenom is produced by immunizing horses or sheep against snake venoms and extracting the antibodies to create a therapeutic treatment. Knowing the specific snake can help identify the right antivenom, but it's not always possible, especially since many antivenoms are polyclonal and target multiple snake species. The sooner antivenom is administered, the better the outcome, particularly for neurotoxic venoms that can irreversibly bind to nerve endings. Supportive treatment, which can include fluid replacement, pain management, and preventing complications, is also essential in snakebite cases. The specific symptoms and location of the bite can provide clues to the type of venom and the most effective antivenom to use. It's important to note that the composition and effects of venoms can vary greatly among snake species, making hyperlocal knowledge essential for effective treatment.
The history of human-snake interactions: Primates evolved advanced vision to detect venomous snakes, and antivenom therapy is a modern solution for snake bites.
The interaction between humans and venomous snakes throughout history has significantly influenced how we have evolved and responded to these creatures. The snake detection hypothesis proposes that our primate ancestors developed excellent vision as a result of the need to detect and avoid venomous snakes, which were among the earliest and most important predators. This hypothesis explains why primates have such advanced visual systems compared to other mammals. The development of antivenom therapy is another significant advancement in dealing with snake bites. Understanding this history helps us appreciate the importance of these encounters and the ways in which we have adapted to them.
The Significant Role of Venomous Snakes in Primate Vision Evolution: Primate vision evolved to detect venomous snakes, with advanced capabilities seen in areas with high snake concentrations, and quick unconscious responses in primate brains.
The presence of venomous snakes played a significant role in the evolution of primate vision. Primates, particularly those living in areas with high concentrations of venomous snakes, developed advanced vision capabilities as a means of detecting and avoiding these predators. This hypothesis is supported by the fact that primates with the poorest vision, such as lemurs, live in areas without venomous snakes. Additionally, research in neuroscience shows that the visual processing areas of primate brains, specifically the Polvinar region, respond strongly and quickly to images of snakes. This response is automatic and unconscious, suggesting that the ability to quickly detect snakes was crucial for survival. Furthermore, a study from 2017 found that humans also respond differently to images of snake skin compared to other patterns, indicating that our evolutionary history with snakes has left a lasting impact on our visual processing. Overall, the snake detection hypothesis provides a compelling explanation for the evolution of primate vision.
Fear response to snakes in primates: A mix of innate and learned responses: Primates, including humans, have a stronger fear response to venomous snakes than nonvenomous ones or inanimate objects due to a combination of innate and learned responses.
The fear response to snakes in primates, both humans and other primate species, is a complex mix of innate and learned responses. Studies have shown that primates, including humans, have a stronger fear response to venomous snakes compared to nonvenomous ones or inanimate objects. This fear response is not just due to head shape but likely evolved as a result of our primate ancestors encountering venomous snakes in their environment. Behavioral studies also show that primates have innate fear responses to snakes, as evidenced by fear responses in monkeys raised in captivity and human infants. However, these responses can also be learned through observation of other primates. Snakes, on the other hand, may have felt pressure from primates, especially once primates learned to mob snakes or use tools to hurt or kill them. This hypothesis, known as the snake detection hypothesis, has been supported by numerous neuroscience and physiological studies. However, it's important to note that other predators may have also played a role in our visual evolution, and more research is needed to fully understand the complex relationship between primates and snakes.
Snakes' Fascinating Ability to Spit Venom: Snakes have evolved to spit venom three times independently, raising questions about the evolution of venom and the significance of snake venom in primate vision and human history.
Snakes, specifically cobras, have evolved the ability to spit venom as a defensive mechanism, which has occurred independently three times. This fascinating discovery raises many questions about the evolution of venom in snakes, the different types of venom, and why certain snakes feed on specific prey. While the hypothesis that snakes played a role in the evolution of primate vision is intriguing, it is still just a hypothesis and more research is needed. Primates have also developed resistance to certain types of snake venom throughout history as a means of protection. Snakes have held significant cultural significance throughout human history, representing both danger and healing. From ancient rituals to modern antivenom therapy, snakes continue to fascinate us with their duality as threats and sources of life-saving medications.
Discovering the Truth About Snake Venom: Italian physician Francesco Reddi first suggested snake venom was from snake's fangs in 17th century, but it wasn't until late 18th century when Felice Fontana's research on European vipers gained acceptance. Henry Sewell's discovery of pigeon immunity to snake venom in late 19th century led to the development of serum therapy as a treatment for snake bites.
The early understanding of snake venom and its effects on humans was shrouded in mystery, with many believing it was caused by bad spirits. It wasn't until the 17th century when Italian physician Francesco Reddi suggested it was actually the substance from a snake's fangs, or venom, that caused the symptoms. However, his ideas were not widely accepted at the time. It wasn't until the late 18th century when Felice Fontana's research on the mechanism of envenomation and characteristics of venoms in European vipers gained support. Fontana's discovery that the European viper was immune to its own venom raised the question of whether other animals could also become immune to toxins. This question was explored by Henry Sewell in the late 19th century when he found that pigeons could gain some immunity to snake venom through repeated injections. This discovery not only demonstrated animal immunity to toxins but also suggested that serum from those animals could be used to counteract the effects of the toxins in others. Sewell's work predates the discovery of modern serum therapy by Kitasato Shibasaburo and Emil von Behring in 1890. However, Sewell's contributions to the field of antivenom therapy are often overlooked. The first successful use of anti-cobra serum as a therapy for a cobra bite was achieved by Albert Calmet in 1891, who used the methods described by Sewell.
Pioneering Research on Snake Venom Antidotes: Though early research began in the late 1800s, antivenom for snake bites remains a neglected tropical disease with limited access to treatment, causing 1.8-2.7 million envenomations and 81,000-138,000 deaths annually.
The work of Calme and later researchers, such as Vidal Brazil, laid the groundwork for the development of antivenom for various venomous snakes. However, it took time and advancements to make these therapies effective and widely available. Snake bite envenoming is still considered a neglected tropical disease, with an estimated 1.8-2.7 million envenomations and 81,000-138,000 deaths annually. Despite significant progress in antivenom therapies and the development of medications based on snake venom, there is still a long way to go in making these treatments accessible to those who need them most.
Significant health issue in rural areas with poor infrastructure: Snakebites are a major problem in regions with high snake prevalence and limited access to medical resources, leading to high death tolls and affordability issues for antivenom
Snakebites are a significant global health issue, particularly in rural and impoverished areas where public health and medical infrastructure is lacking. The numbers of snakebite envenomations and resulting deaths vary greatly by region, with the highest numbers occurring in Sub-Saharan Africa, North Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia. The vast majority of snakebite deaths are attributed to these regions due to both the high prevalence of venomous snakes and the lack of access to necessary medical resources. The production and availability of antivenom are also impacted by underreporting of snakebites and the perceived demand for specific types of antivenom, leading to affordability issues and a lack of availability in many areas where it is needed most. The World Health Organization has recognized the importance of reducing snakebite mortality and has initiated several initiatives to address this issue, though progress has been disrupted by COVID-19. Research is ongoing to develop more effective and accessible antivenom options, such as recombinant antivenom.
Exploring new ways to produce effective antivenoms: Researchers are developing diverse antivenoms using non-horse methods and small molecule inhibitors, and investigating snake venom properties for treatments. Preventing encounters and appreciating snakes is key.
Researchers are exploring new ways to produce effective and diverse antivenoms that can address the specific snake venom threats in various regions around the world. This includes developing anti-venoms that don't rely on horses and using small molecule inhibitors to target entire classes of toxins. Additionally, researchers are investigating the utilization of snake venom properties for treatments and understanding the impact of land use change and climate change on snake encounters. It's important to remember that snakes play a crucial role in ecosystems and should not be hated or eradicated. Instead, learning about local snakes and their venoms can help prevent encounters and appreciate these fascinating creatures. Some helpful resources for further learning include "The Fruit, the Tree, and the Serpent" by Lynn Isbell and "History of Antivenoms: Development Beyond Calmette and Vidal in Brazil" by Squaella, Baptisto, et al.
Expressing gratitude and love in unexpected situations: In uncertain times, focus on expressing kindness and appreciation to those around us and take care of ourselves and each other.
Expressing gratitude and love is important, even in unexpected situations. The speakers in the conversation began by expressing their appreciation for the support they had received. They also reminded the audience to take care of themselves by washing their hands. However, the conversation took an unexpected turn when one speaker used a playful insult. Despite this, the overall message remained clear: expressing kindness and appreciation is essential. It's important to remember that everyone is going through their own challenges, and a kind word or gesture can make a big difference. So, in times of uncertainty, let's focus on expressing gratitude and love to those around us, and take care of ourselves and each other.
