Have you ever heard that clean water can be dangerous to your health? Or maybe carrots? Or table salt? Did you think it was just a rumor?

There are hundreds of thousands of different toxic substances in the world. Without realizing it, many of them surround us daily – whether they are indoor plants, cleaning products, or some over-the-counter medicines. Many medicines, cosmetic products, or even dyes that people commonly used in the past had to be banned for their toxic effects. Conversely, some well-known poisons have turned out to be useful medicines over time – provided they are administered in the right amount and in the right way.

During the course, we will look into the world of poisons from different angles. We will talk about what substances they are, what their properties and effects are, and how they therefore influence our society and its history. Gradually, we will touch on medicine, history, and detective stories, recalling some famous and curious cases of intentional and unintentional poisoning. Each hour will be dedicated to a different group of substances. We will learn, for example, what a Greek goddess of fate, witchcraft rituals, and eye drops have in common, why a painter’s work in the 17th century was life-threatening, or why we should pay attention when we smell the scent of bitter almonds in the air.

Part of the course will be dedicated to poisoning, its prevention, and treatment. We will learn what antidotes exist and when they can be used. Since various addictive substances are among the most common causes of poisoning encountered in medical practice, we will also touch on the issue of drugs.

The course is suitable for anyone interested in the topic. No prior knowledge is required.