Getting High with Ridiculous Crime: Reindeer Trips and Soothing Syrup
Summary
Ridiculous History explores the history of animal psychoactive use, noting that reindeer seek out fly agaric mushrooms and jaguars consume ayahuasca. The episode also covers the dangers of 19th-century patent medicines, specifically Mrs. Winslow's Soothing Syrup, which contained morphine and alcohol and was fed to infants. Guest Zarin Burnett discusses the casual use of opiates in the Wild West and the modern resurgence of similar substances.
Topics discussed
Intro and guest welcome: Zarin Burnett
Sponsor ad and transition to reindeer topic
Reindeer and fly agaric mushrooms
Why reindeer seek out mushrooms
Reindeer antler velvet supplements
Guest's personal experience with hallucinogens
Indigenous use and Santa Claus origins
Chemical names and pharmaceutical branding
Sponsor ad and reindeer safety jokes
Introduction to Mrs. Winslow's Soothing Syrup
Etymology of snake oil and modern parallels
History and marketing of the soothing syrup
Morphine content and infant dosing
Opium use in the Wild West
Sponsor ad
Deaths and addiction from the syrup
Modern opiate trends and purple drank
Animals getting high: jaguars and dolphins
Outro and guest credits
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