Most Delicious Poison: The Story of Nature's Toxins―From Spices to Vices

Name: Most Delicious Poison: The Story of Nature's Toxins―From Spices to Vices
Price: 29.99 USD
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Rating: 4.4 (20 reviews)

4.4 of 5 Stars: Books on CD - Most Delicious Poison: The Story of Nature's Toxins―From Spices to Vices

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Book Synopsis: An evolutionary biologist tells the story of nature's toxins and why we are attracted―and addicted―to them, in this “magisterial, fascinating, and gripping tour de force” (Neil Shubin).A deadly secret lurks within our spice racks, medicine cabinets, backyard gardens, and private stashes.Scratch beneath the surface of a coffee bean, a red pepper flake, a poppy seed, a mold spore, a foxglove leaf, a magic-mushroom cap, a marijuana bud, or an apple seed, and we find a bevy of strange chemicals. We use these to greet our days (caffeine), titillate our tongues (capsaicin), recover from surgery (opioids), cure infections (penicillin), mend our hearts (digoxin), bend our minds (psilocybin), calm our nerves (CBD), and even kill our enemies (cyanide). But why do plants and fungi produce such chemicals? And how did we come to use and abuse some of them?Based on cutting-edge science in the fields of evolution, chemistry, and neuroscience, Most Delicious Poison reveals:The origins of toxins produced by plants, mushrooms, microbes, and even some animalsThe mechanisms that animals evolved to overcome themHow a co-evolutionary arms race made its way into the human experienceAnd much moreThis perpetual chemical war not only drove the diversification of life on Earth, but also is intimately tied to our own successes and failures. You will never look at a houseplant, mushroom, fruit, vegetable, or even the past five hundred years of human history the same way again.

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Do you want to uncover nature's most fascinating secrets and discover the captivating stories behind the toxins we encounter every day? Look no further than "Most Delicious Poison: The Story of Nature's Toxins―From Spices to Vices." This masterfully written book, penned by an evolutionary biologist, takes you on a gripping journey into the mesmerizing world of plants, fungi, and microbes.

Unveil the hidden realm beneath the surface of seemingly ordinary ingredients like coffee beans, red pepper flakes, and poppy seeds. Delve into the intriguing concoctions found in a mold spore or a foxglove leaf. From magic-mushroom caps to marijuana buds, this book unveils the secrets behind these captivating substances.

Behind each chemical lies an intriguing story - caffeine to greet our days, capsaicin to titillate our tongues, and opioids to aid in recovery. But beyond their uses, we explore their origins, the co-evolutionary arms race that shaped their development, and the fascinating mechanisms that animals, including humans, evolved to overcome them.

Based on cutting-edge science in the fields of evolution, chemistry, and neuroscience, "Most Delicious Poison" will revolutionize the way you perceive everything from houseplants to historical events. Prepare to be enlightened as you uncover the intricate connections between the natural world and our own successes and failures.

Don't miss out on the opportunity to dive into this magisterial, fascinating, and gripping tour de force. Discover the captivating world of toxins and their enthralling stories. Grab your copy of "Most Delicious Poison: The Story of Nature's Toxins―From Spices to Vices" now and embark on a journey that will forever change your perspective.

Click here to order your copy of "Most Delicious Poison: The Story of Nature's Toxins―From Spices to Vices" today!

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