This mushroom will kill you before you know what’s happening - Michael Beug
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Humans have known about the toxicity of death cap mushrooms for millennia. Yet they continue to pose a significant threat to unsuspecting foragers and mushroom hunters throughout the world. Today, death caps are responsible for more than 90% of all mushroom related deaths, killing upwards of 100 people each year. So, what makes this one species of mushroom so dangerous? Michael Beug investigates.
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Death cap mushrooms only take 10-15 hours to act, culminating in liver failure and death. Based on scientific understanding of the process, historians believe that these mushrooms were used in Claudius's death at the hands of Julia Agrippina. Poisons were used frequently in the Roman Empire, including arsenic, used for its colorlessness and lack of odor and taste. For a timeline of famous poisonings, read on here.
To attempt foraging in safety, check out guides for safe foraging for beginners here and here. Never forget the cardinal rule, as mentioned in the video: When in doubt, throw it out!
To attempt foraging in safety, check out guides for safe foraging for beginners here and here. Never forget the cardinal rule, as mentioned in the video: When in doubt, throw it out!
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Meet The Creators
- Educator Michael Beug
- Director Denys Spolitak
- Narrator Susan Zimmerman
- Music Cem Misirlioglu, Greg Chudzik
- Sound Designer Cem Misirlioglu
- Director of Production Gerta Xhelo
- Produced by Sazia Afrin
- Editorial Director Alex Rosenthal
- Editorial Producer Shannon Odell
- Script Editor Charles Wallace
- Fact-Checker Charles Wallace
