From Pain to Poison

Watch From Pain to Poison

  • 2013
  • 1 Season

From Pain to Poison is a documentary series by MagellanTV that examines the history and science behind the development, use, and effects of drugs. Over four episodes, the series explores the impact of drug use on society, medicine, and culture from ancient times to the present day.

The first episode, titled "The Opium Epidemic," looks at the history of opium and its impact on different societies throughout history. The episode explores the origins of the drug, its role in the opium wars between the British and Chinese, and the global illicit trade in opium and other opioids. It also examines the scientific and medical aspects of opioids, from their use as painkillers to the development of addiction and overdose.

The second episode, "Altered States," explores the use of psychoactive drugs throughout history and across cultures. The episode examines the effects of drugs like LSD, magic mushrooms, and ayahuasca on the human brain and consciousness. It also looks at the history of drug prohibition and the impact of drug policy on drug use and addiction.

The third episode, "The Pill That Changed the World," focuses on the development and impact of the birth control pill. The episode explores the history of contraception and abortion, the scientific developments that led to the creation of the pill, and the cultural and political impact of its widespread use.

The final episode, "Designer Drugs," looks at the development and effects of new psychoactive substances like synthetic marijuana, bath salts, and fentanyl. The episode examines the legal and scientific challenges posed by these drugs, as well as their impact on public health and safety.

Throughout the series, From Pain to Poison uses expert interviews, archival footage, and animation to engage viewers with the complex and fascinating history of drugs. The series delves into the social, cultural, medical, and scientific aspects of drug use and addiction, offering a nuanced and thought-provoking perspective on a topic that touches us all. Whether you're a casual viewer or a seasoned drug policy expert, From Pain to Poison is sure to captivate and educate.

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Seasons
Poison
3. Poison
October 17, 2013
Michael ends the series with a look at poisons, exploring the incredible turning points when we went from using antidotes to poisons to applying poisons themselves as a cure. We celebrate the eccentrics and mavericks whose breakthroughs paved the way for some of the most striking and unique treatments in modern medicine.
Pus
2. Pus
October 10, 2013
Michael explores our earliest attempts to tackle infection and reveals the moment we began to harness the power of microbes to fight back against illness. This is the story of how scientists, chemists, and doctors helped us win the battle, from Louis Pasteur to Howard Florey, and how a small team of dedicated men and women wiped out one of mankind's deadliest diseases: Smallpox.
Pain
1. Pain
October 3, 2013
Pain has a profound effect on our bodies. When we are experiencing it, millions of nerve cells deep within our brains are firing, telling us "it hurts". For centuries, the challenge has been to find something that will lessen or even switch off these sensations to bring us some relief. In this program, we'll discover just what pain is and how organisms on this planet evolved to experience it.
Description
  • Premiere Date
    October 3, 2013