Strychnine
Strychnine
Strychnine (pronounced: /ˈstrɪkniːn/) is a highly toxic, colorless, bitter, crystalline alkaloid used as a pesticide, particularly for killing small vertebrates such as birds and rodents.
Etymology
The term "Strychnine" comes from the Greek word "strychnos", which means "nightshade". It was first discovered in the seeds of the Strychnos nux-vomica tree, a native of India and Southeast Asia.
Description
Strychnine is known for its bitter taste and is often used in minute quantities as a performance-enhancing drug. It is a strong stimulant when ingested or inhaled, and its effects can be felt within minutes of exposure. Symptoms of strychnine poisoning can include muscle stiffness, convulsions, and eventual death through asphyxiation.
Related Terms
- Alkaloid: A class of naturally occurring organic compounds that mostly contain basic nitrogen atoms. This group also includes some related compounds with neutral and even weakly acidic properties.
- Pesticide: Substances that are meant to control pests, including weeds. In the context of pests, strychnine is often used.
- Strychnos nux-vomica: The tree from which strychnine is derived. It is native to India and Southeast Asia.
- Performance-enhancing drug: Substances used to improve any form of activity performance in humans. Strychnine has been used in the past for this purpose.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Strychnine
- Wikipedia's article - Strychnine
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