Tetrodotoxin

[Cody111]

From research almost all puffer and blowfish contain lethal amounts of ttx.

They are very common. Would catching and eating say two of these for good measure be a viable option? (Ttx levels variery from species and season)

Specifically the common blowfish concentrates the ttx in the skin and liver.
Not the tasty bits but if two livers will do the job...

 

[JazzyWolfWhistle]

Catching pufferfish is a big ordeal and I don't think I can be done. But what do I know?

 

[Stillnotsure]

From research almost all puffer and blowfish contain lethal amounts of ttx.

They are very common. Would catching and eating say two of these for good measure be a viable option? (Ttx levels variery from species and season)

Specifically the common blowfish concentrates the ttx in the skin and liver.
Not the tasty bits but if two livers will do the job...

Where do you live that these are common? From my understanding the toxins in these animals cause paralysis of both voluntary and involuntary muscles. This means you'll suffocate when your diaphragm is paralyzed but you'll be awake when that happens. It looks like eating the toxin requires the highest dose to be lethal, and you must eat the liver AND entrails of the fish to get it. It looks like they successfully isolated the toxin and you can purchase it maybe? Someone else will have to look into that. Injection of the toxin is more fatal because it requires fewer units per kg of the toxin to kill.

Caution: eating this toxin causes severe nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. On the fast and fatal end it takes 17 minutes to start working and you to notice parts of your body being numb and paralyzed. For many it takes around 4 hours to get really sick, and that's a long time to change your mind... If you vomit the fish you couldn't be sure if you have enough of a dose to be lethal. You will be awake as you are suffering unless you somehow have a seizure. Death is from the diaphragm becoming paralyzed and you being unable to take a breath. It's agonizing and terrifying. They also note the toxin causes unbelievable abdominal pain.

Good news is there is no antidote. But, If you are taken to the hospital they help you survive by intubating you to support breathing and they give drugs and fluids for low blood pressure. They may pump your stomach or force you to drink activated charcoal (aweful stuff).

This method would only work for a very determined person with an iron will. It's slow and painful compared to other more proven methods. Deaths do happen from this but they are accidental when a restaurant doesn't remove all the innards carefully from the fish before serving it. To purposely do this to yourself is to believe you deserve to suffer.

 

[OkTotti]

let me get this straight.. the plan here is to catch a blow-fish in the ocean and eat it?

 

[Cody111]

Ouch.. didnt think it took so long.
Im from australia, they are about the only fish in the river here. Dont even need bait to catch them, they chase hooks.

Injecting isnt really somthing i wanna do. Bit ingesting doesnt sound like a viable option so guess there goes that idea.

 

[JazzyWolfWhistle]

You are so lucky.

 

[Cody111]

You are so lucky.

Apparently not. Unless i can find a blue ring octapus. Which are around where i am but id say i cant just walk up to a beach and hold my hand out and get one.
I didnt realise it was so slow acting if ingested... octopus has the same toxin. But bites and injects it into you.
People say it can kill in minutes...

 

[Stillnotsure]

Apparently not. Unless i can find a blue ring octapus. Which are around where i am but id say i cant just walk up to a beach and hold my hand out and get one.
I didnt realise it was so slow acting if ingested... octopus has the same toxin. But bites and injects it into you.
People say it can kill in minutes...

That is much quicker yes. Very painful still, but quicker. You'll have to research it a bit more.

 

[JazzyWolfWhistle]

Catch the fish, catch the bus, catch my drift? You don't need no stinking octopus'es!

 

[Stillnotsure]

@Cody111 can't puffer fish sting too? We don't have them where I'm from.

 

[TAW122]

This was a method that I've pondered about years ago, when I watched documentaries on sushi in Japan. Much like what others have stated, tetrodotoxin doesn't seem like a good way to go. I suppose if one is undisturbed for a long time (many hours), with a more than lethal dosage, combined with something to put them to sleep, then it might work out, but even then suffocating while being able to move or breathe sounds like a horrible way to die.

 

[No1SpecL2U]

Just a thought relative to your idea and possible location...

Wrangle up a few large box jellies and cuddle with them?

 

[Pulpit2018]

The joys of living in Australia,lol...