If you’re feeling really sad and overwhelmed, it can be easy to start thinking about killing yourself. Try to distract yourself from these thoughts by doing something you enjoy, like going for a walk or listening to music. Here are 10 things that will kill you in under an hour: Poisonous plants, snails, venomous vipers and lethal laughter.
1. Poisonous Plants
Many poisonous plants produce a toxic reaction when ingested or through skin contact. They are common in the wild, but they can also be found in cultivated areas such as nurseries and gardens.
Poison ivy is a good example of how dangerous plants can be. The oil in the leaves causes an allergic reaction that makes your skin itchy, red, and swollen.
It is common in the northeast, south, and Midwest states. A small leaf or a handful of blossoms can kill you.
The leaves contain a lethal cardiac glycoside that causes vomiting, diarrhea, erratic pulse, seizures, and coma. The foliage is more toxic than the berries.
2. Snails
Snakes are elongated, legless, carnivorous reptiles of the suborder serpentes. They are found on every continent – except Antarctica – and in many habitats around the world. Most venomous snakes inject the venom of their prey in the form of a single shot. They use a cocktail of several hundred enzymes and proteins to concoct the lethal drink of choice.
Depending on the species, it can take 20 minutes for your body to succumb to the effects of a single snakeshot of venom. If you are bitten, the best way to survive is to stay calm and describe your encounter in a concise manner. Hopefully, you won’t ever need to see the inside of one of these beasts in the wild, but the sight of a rattlesnake or boa at your favorite local watering hole can be an experience you won’t soon forget.
3. Venomous Vipers
Snakes are a natural part of the world, and many of them are dangerous to humans. A bite from a venomous viper can cause severe illness or death, according to the CDC.
Pit vipers are the most common venomous snakes found in North America. They are distinguished by a noticeable depression between their eye and nostril that is called the “pit.”
During a strike, these venomous vipers inject venom by rotating their retractable fangs downward and forward in a stabbing motion. The muscles in the venom glands contract, forcing the venom through the fangs into prey as it is bitten.
4. Sweating
Sweating is a bona fide bodily function, especially in hot climates. It’s not uncommon for some people to sweat more than others, but there are a few tricks to keep your cool. The best way to do it is to be proactive and not reactive. Keeping cool and hydrated is just as important for your mental well-being as it is for your physical health, and in hot weather that can mean the difference between life and death. It’s also a good idea to drink more water and keep hydrated with a sports drink to help keep your body temperature in check.
5. Lethal Laughter
Laughter has long been a well-known medicine and it’s often associated with improved mood and attitude. Laughter is also good for your cardiovascular health.
Occasionally, however, laughter can cause serious medical complications. Some of the most common are a ruptured brain aneurysm, cardiac arrest, collapsed lung, strangulated hernia, gelastic seizures and even stroke or asphyxiation.
This doesn’t mean you should ignore unusual symptoms that develop after laughing too hard, though. Symptoms like wheezing and coughing are a sign of asthma and should be treated immediately with an inhaler.
6. Sun Poisoning
Sun poisoning is a severe sunburn that can cause serious complications and long-term health issues if you don’t receive the proper medical care.
While it’s often confused with sunburn, the two conditions actually differ largely in how they affect your body.
Typically, the symptoms of sun poisoning will begin within 6-12 hours after exposure to intense sunlight.
If you develop a red rash, blisters in the sunburned area, and flu-like symptoms such as fever or confusion, seek medical attention immediately.
Some people, especially those with a pre-existing condition like lupus or eczema, are at greater risk for developing sun poisoning. Certain medications can also increase your sensitivity to UV rays.
7. Deer
Deer are a dangerous hazard for drivers, and they can also hurt or kill your pets. For that reason, never allow your pet to chase or play with deer in your backyard.
In addition, deer-vehicle accidents are more common in the fall breeding season. This is because bucks are expanding their home ranges to find mates.
Despite the heightened risk of collisions, there are many things you can do to avoid hitting deer on the road. The most important thing is to slow down and use your headlights whenever you’re driving in areas where deer are known to live.
8. Insects
Insects are a diverse group of animals that have been around for hundreds of millions of years. They are one of the most common creatures on Earth and can be found almost anywhere.
They are an integral part of the ecosystem, pollinating flowering plants, being a food source for other insects, and assisting in the decomposition of plants and animals.
However, some of these animals can be quite harmful. They can be pests that destroy crops, or they can deliver painful / poisonous / venomous bites to humans.
Insects are also a food source for some people. For example, cicadas are often deep-fried and served as a delicacy in many cultures.
9. Diseases
While the occasional cold or bout of flu is a normal part of life, some diseases can prove lethal.
A disease is a condition that results in physical or mental health problems, often with no known cause. It can be infectious, deficiency or hereditary.
The most notable thing about a disease is that it has the potential to change your quality of life for the worse.
Most people will know the best way to avoid getting sick is by following a healthy diet, staying physically active and reducing stress levels. In fact, a good healthy lifestyle has been linked to a decreased risk of many types of disease, from heart disease to diabetes.
10. Alcohol
Alcohol, a substance that is found in many alcoholic beverages, has been linked to a number of serious and fatal health issues. Drinking too much of it over time can affect your heart, liver, blood, lungs and even your eyes.
It also lowers your inhibitions and makes you less likely to make wise decisions. That could lead to a crash or other life-threatening situations.
Excessive drinking can lead to a variety of problems, including liver damage, increased risk of breast cancer, depression and violence, and interfere with relationships. Heavy drinking also causes alcohol poisoning, which can be deadly.