**An evolutionary biologist tells the story of nature’s toxins and why we are attracted—and addicted—to them.“A magisterial, fascinating, and gripping tour de force.” —Neil Shubin, biology professor and author or Your Inner Fish**A deadly secret lurks within our spice racks, medicine cabinets, backyard gardens, and private stashes.Scratch beneath the surface of a coffee bean, a red pepper flake, a poppy seed, a mold spore, a foxglove leaf, a magic-mushroom ...

An evolutionary biologist tells the story of nature’s toxins and why we are attracted—and addicted—to them, in this “magisterial, fascinating, and gripping tour de force” (Neil Shubin).A deadly secret lurks within our spice racks, medicine cabinets, backyard gardens, and private stashes.Scratch beneath the surface of a coffee bean, a red pepper flake, a poppy seed, a mold spore, a foxglove leaf, a magic-mushroom cap, a marijuana bud, or an apple seed, and w...