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>In pufferfish, high levels of tetrodotoxin occur in the liver, skin, and reproductive organs
>Before it is eaten these must be skillfully removed
>If even the tiniest amount of liver (for example) remains, it could prove a deadly final meal for whoever eats it
>Because of these high stakes, chefs must complete years of rigorous training before they can prepare the fish for eating
>Japanese government figures state that, since 2000, 23 people have died as a result of eating incorrectly prepared fugu, though the majority of these were due to attempts to prepare the fish at home
>This is a significant improvement on past figures: in 1958 alone, 176 people died from fugu poisoning
>Tetrodotoxin kills because it can interfere with our nervous systems
>It blocks sodium channels, which carry messages between the brain and our muscles
>As a result, those suffering from tetrodotoxin poisoning initially lose sensation
>This is rapidly followed by paralysis of muscles
>This paralysis extends to the diaphragm and the muscles which help move the ribs, ultimately stopping breathing
RIP Greg. You're gonna be in agony my guy