# Strychnine **Canonical URL:** https://ingredients.hermeticasuperfoods.com/ingredients/strychnine **Data Source:** Hermetica Superfoods Ingredient Encyclopedia **Updated:** 2026-03-29 **Evidence Score:** 2 / 10 **Category:** Compound **Also Known As:** Strychnos nux-vomica extract, Nux vomica alkaloid, Ma Qian Zi alkaloid, Dog button alkaloid, Poison nut alkaloid, Quaker button extract, Strychnine sulfate, Strychnine nitrate ## Overview Strychnine is a highly toxic alkaloid derived from the seeds of Strychnos nux-vomica that acts as a competitive antagonist of glycine receptors in the spinal cord and brainstem. It has no established therapeutic applications and is primarily documented in toxicology literature due to its extreme lethality at doses as low as 1–2 mg/kg in humans. ## Health Benefits • No therapeutic health benefits supported by clinical trials; evidence consists solely of poisoning cases.[1][5][8] ## Mechanism of Action Strychnine competitively blocks glycine receptors, specifically the strychnine-sensitive GlyR alpha-subunit chloride ion channels, in the spinal cord interneurons and brainstem. By preventing glycine-mediated inhibitory neurotransmission, strychnine removes the inhibitory brake on motor neurons, leading to uncontrolled excitatory signaling throughout the central nervous system. This results in simultaneous, violent contraction of all skeletal muscle groups, progressing to opisthotonus, respiratory failure, and death. ## Clinical Summary No clinical trials have evaluated strychnine for therapeutic benefit; the entirety of human data originates from poisoning case reports, autopsy studies, and historical toxicology records. Case series document that oral ingestion of approximately 5–10 mg produces severe convulsions in adults, with death from respiratory muscle paralysis occurring within 1–3 hours without intervention. A historical review of nux-vomica-based traditional remedies found no controlled evidence supporting efficacy for any condition, while documenting numerous fatalities. The overall evidence base is rated extremely low quality, and no regulatory agency has approved strychnine for any human therapeutic use. ## Nutritional Profile Strychnine (C₂₁H₂₂N₂O₂, MW 334.41 g/mol) is a highly toxic indole alkaloid isolated primarily from the seeds of Strychnos nux-vomica (containing ~1.5–5% strychnine by dry weight). It has no nutritional value whatsoever. It is not a nutrient, food component, or dietary supplement. Key biochemical characteristics: • Bioactive compound classification: Monoterpene indole alkaloid (specifically a strychnane-type alkaloid). • Oral bioavailability: Rapidly and nearly completely absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract; bioavailability estimated at ~100% via oral route. • Lethal dose: Approximately 1–2 mg/kg body weight in humans (roughly 60–120 mg for an adult), though fatalities have occurred at doses as low as 15–30 mg. • Mechanism of toxicity: Acts as a competitive antagonist at glycine receptors (primarily GlyR α1 subunits) in the spinal cord and brainstem, blocking inhibitory postsynaptic signaling, leading to uncontrolled excitatory neural activity and fatal convulsions. • Contains no macronutrients (protein, carbohydrates, fats), no vitamins, no minerals, and no dietary fiber. • Lipid solubility: Moderate (log P ~1.93), enabling rapid CNS penetration. • pKa: ~8.26 (weakly basic tertiary amine), meaning it is predominantly ionized at physiological pH, yet still crosses biological membranes efficiently. • [Metabolism](/ingredients/condition/weight-management): Hepatic, primarily via cytochrome P450 (CYP3A4 and CYP2B6) oxidation to strychnine N-oxide and other hydroxylated metabolites. Half-life approximately 10–16 hours. • No recognized nutritional profile exists; the compound is classified strictly as a poison/toxicant by all major regulatory and pharmacological authorities (WHO, FDA, EMEA). Any ingestion, even in trace amounts historically found in some adulterated herbal tonics or so-called 'bitter tonics,' poses serious risk of toxicity with zero nutritional or caloric contribution. ## Dosage & Preparation No clinically studied therapeutic dosage ranges exist as strychnine lacks approved medical uses. Toxic effects occur at low doses, making it highly unsafe for supplementation. Consult a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement. ## Safety & Drug Interactions Strychnine is acutely toxic to humans at doses of 1–2 mg/kg body weight, with the oral lethal dose (LD50) in adults estimated at approximately 30–120 mg total. It potentiates other CNS stimulants and convulsants including caffeine and amphetamines, dramatically increasing seizure risk and lethality. Strychnine is absolutely contraindicated in pregnancy, as it crosses the placental barrier and causes fetal convulsions and death; it is also contraindicated in individuals with any seizure disorder, liver impairment, or respiratory compromise. There is no established safe dosage for human consumption, and activated charcoal plus benzodiazepine administration remains the primary emergency treatment for acute exposure. ## Scientific Research Strychnine lacks human clinical trials or meta-analyses supporting any therapeutic use. The available evidence comprises case reports of poisoning from accidental or deliberate ingestion, with no PubMed PMIDs for therapeutic RCTs identified.[1][5][8] ## Historical & Cultural Context Strychnine has historical use in Traditional Chinese Medicine for conditions like tumors, though modern reviews highlight high toxicity risks.[2][8] In Western contexts, it has been recognized as a poison since the 19th century.[6] ## Synergistic Combinations None, due to high toxicity. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### What does strychnine do to the human body? Strychnine blocks glycine receptors (GlyR) in the spinal cord, removing inhibitory control over motor neurons and triggering simultaneous contraction of all skeletal muscles. Symptoms appear within 15–60 minutes of ingestion and include severe muscle spasms, opisthotonus (backward arching of the spine), and respiratory arrest. Death typically results from hypoxia caused by sustained contraction of the respiratory muscles. ### How much strychnine is lethal to humans? The estimated lethal dose of strychnine for an adult human is approximately 30–120 mg taken orally, corresponding to roughly 1–2 mg/kg body weight. As little as 5–10 mg can induce severe, life-threatening convulsions. Children and individuals with low body weight are at significantly higher risk of fatality at even smaller quantities. ### Was strychnine ever used as a medicine? Strychnine was historically included in 19th-century tonics derived from Strychnos nux-vomica at nominally sub-toxic doses of approximately 0.5–1 mg per dose. These preparations were discontinued after toxicological review found no verified clinical benefit and identified them as a significant source of accidental fatalities. No contemporary regulatory agency, including the FDA or EMA, approves strychnine for any therapeutic indication. ### Is strychnine found in any supplements sold today? Strychnine-containing supplements are illegal in most countries, but trace amounts can appear in unregulated herbal products containing Strychnos nux-vomica, a plant still used in some traditional Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine formulas. Regulatory agencies including the FDA have issued warnings and import alerts against nux-vomica products due to strychnine content. Consumers should avoid any supplement listing nux-vomica, Strychnos nux-vomica, or 'strychni semen' as an ingredient. ### What is the antidote for strychnine poisoning? There is no specific antidote for strychnine poisoning; treatment is supportive and focuses on controlling convulsions using intravenous benzodiazepines such as diazepam or lorazepam, which enhance GABAergic inhibition to counteract glycine receptor blockade. Activated charcoal (1 g/kg) administered within one hour of ingestion can reduce absorption if the airway is protected. Severe cases require mechanical ventilation to manage respiratory muscle paralysis until the drug is metabolized, primarily by hepatic CYP3A4 enzymes, with a half-life of approximately 10–16 hours. ### Why is strychnine no longer used in any approved supplements or medications? Strychnine was removed from pharmaceutical use and dietary supplements due to its extremely narrow margin between ineffective and toxic doses, making safe dosing impossible to establish. Regulatory agencies worldwide have determined that the poisoning risk far outweighs any potential benefit, and no clinical evidence supports therapeutic efficacy. Modern alternatives with proven safety profiles have replaced any historical uses of strychnine. ### What are the natural food sources of strychnine? Strychnine is found naturally in the seeds of Strychnos nux-vomica (the strychnine tree) and related plant species, primarily in Southeast Asia and India. It is not present in commonly consumed foods in the modern diet. The alkaloid serves as a natural pesticide for the plant and is not nutritionally beneficial to humans. ### How quickly does strychnine poisoning cause symptoms? Strychnine poisoning typically produces symptoms within 15 minutes to 2 hours of ingestion, depending on the dose and route of exposure. Symptoms begin with restlessness and muscle stiffness, progressing rapidly to severe convulsions and respiratory failure. The speed of symptom onset makes strychnine particularly dangerous compared to other toxins with longer latency periods. --- *Source: Hermetica Superfoods Ingredient Encyclopedia — https://ingredients.hermeticasuperfoods.com* *License: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 — Attribution required. Commercial use: admin@hermeticasuperfoods.com*