Britannica Sources used in this answer

What kinds of long-term health effects can mycotoxins and plant poisons cause?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Poisonous mushrooms — poison More than 100 species of mushrooms are known to be poisonous to humans.

Mycotoxins and plant poisons can lead to serious long-term health consequences, often characterized by chronic degenerative changes that may be difficult to detect initially.1

Mycotoxins

Mycotoxins, which are metabolites produced by certain molds, are associated with several severe, lasting health impacts:
* Carcinogenicity: Certain mycotoxins, such as aflatoxins produced by Aspergillus species, are potent carcinogens linked to the development of liver cancer and other liver diseases.32
* Genotoxicity: Some mycotoxins, including deoxynivalenol, can cause DNA damage and increase cell apoptosis rates, which may indirectly promote mutations.32

Plant Poisons (Phytotoxins)

Chronic exposure to specific plant toxins can result in persistent physiological damage:
* Chronic Disease: Frequent ingestion of small amounts of certain plants, such as the corn cockle (Agrostemma githago), can lead to chronic conditions like githagism, which causes increasing paralysis and sensory disturbances.4
* Neurological and Systemic Effects: Prolonged or frequent use of substances like marijuana may produce long-term mental effects such as dullness or mania. Additionally, chronic exposure to various biotoxins can result in degenerative changes throughout the body.41

It is essential to recognize that these substances pose significant environmental and health risks, necessitating caution regarding food safety and exposure to toxic biological agents.1