Episode 9: Meth-Gators

What happens when you combine the volatility of the internet with an off-hand comment designed to stop drug addicts from flushing their evidence. The answer? Meth-gators. What on Earth is a Meth-gator? Is this a true phenomenon or the internet running wild? More importantly, why is it worth talking about here? Join hosts Shanti and Danny as they talk about meth, gators, the police, and some weird testing on monkeys on this light-hearted episode of Breaking Bad Science.

Rosenblatt, K.; Meth-gators: Tennessee Police Warn Flushing Drugs Could Create Hyper-Aggressive Alligators. NBC News. 16-Jul-2019. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/tennessee-police-warn-locals-not-flush-drugs-fear-meth-gators-n1030291

Diochot, S. et. al.; Black Mamba Venom Peptides Target Acid-Sensing Ion Channels to Abolish Pain. Nature. 03-Oct-2012. 490 (552 – 555). Doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/nature11494

BBC News; Drug-Addicted Python Rehabilitated by Australian Prisoners. BBC News Australia. 12-Apr-2017. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-39550815

Pei, Z., Zhang, X.; Methamphetamine Intoxication in a Dog: Case Report. BioMed Central Veterinary Research. 24-Jun2014. 10:139. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1186/1746-6148-10-139

Tierney, A.; The Evolution of Learned and Innate Behavior: Contributions from Genetics and Neurobiology to a Theory of Behavioral Evolution. Animal Learning and Behavior. Dec-1986. 14: (339 – 348).

Golden, S., et. al.; Compulsive Addition-Like Aggressive Behavior in Mice. Biological Psychiatry. 15-Aug-2017. 82: 4 (239 – 248). Doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsych.2017.03.004