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Archangel
- Jul 29, 2021
- 5,138
Apple seeds contain amygdalin, which can release cyanide when metabolized. However, the body can handle small amounts without harm. The lethal dose of cyanide for humans is estimated to be 0.5 to 3.5 mg per kg of body weight.
Apple seeds contain about 0.6 mg of cyanide per gram of seeds.
An average apple seed weighs about 0.7 g, meaning each seed has roughly 0.42 mg of cyanide.
A lethal dose for a 70 kg (154 lb) person is around 140 mg of cyanide.
140 mg ÷ 0.42 mg per seed ≈ 333 seeds
Since an apple contains about 5–8 seeds, it would take about 42–67 apples' worth of seeds, thoroughly chewed, to be lethal.
Seeds must be crushed or chewed to release cyanide.
The body detoxifies small amounts, so poisoning requires a large, concentrated dose in a short period.
Symptoms of cyanide poisoning include dizziness, headache, confusion, nausea, and potentially death.
Cyanide poisoning is often described as rapid but extremely distressing rather than excruciatingly painful. The severity depends on the dose and how quickly it takes effect.
Dizziness, headache, confusion
Shortness of breath, rapid breathing
Nausea and vomiting
Anxiety or a sense of doom
Muscle weakness and loss of coordination
Seizures
Intense gasping for air ("air hunger")
Cherry-red skin (due to oxygen being trapped in the blood)
Unconsciousness
Coma
Respiratory failure and death
Some people report an intense burning sensation in the throat and stomach (if ingested).
The gasping for air (air hunger) is often described as extremely distressing—like drowning on dry land.
Loss of consciousness usually happens quickly, but the moments before that can be filled with panic, confusion, and severe discomfort.
Cyanide poisoning is not a peaceful death—it involves extreme distress, breathlessness, and panic before unconsciousness. If given in very high doses, unconsciousness may occur within seconds, but in lower doses, the suffering can last minutes.
Apple seeds contain about 0.6 mg of cyanide per gram of seeds.
An average apple seed weighs about 0.7 g, meaning each seed has roughly 0.42 mg of cyanide.
A lethal dose for a 70 kg (154 lb) person is around 140 mg of cyanide.
140 mg ÷ 0.42 mg per seed ≈ 333 seeds
Since an apple contains about 5–8 seeds, it would take about 42–67 apples' worth of seeds, thoroughly chewed, to be lethal.
Seeds must be crushed or chewed to release cyanide.
The body detoxifies small amounts, so poisoning requires a large, concentrated dose in a short period.
Symptoms of cyanide poisoning include dizziness, headache, confusion, nausea, and potentially death.
Cyanide poisoning is often described as rapid but extremely distressing rather than excruciatingly painful. The severity depends on the dose and how quickly it takes effect.
Dizziness, headache, confusion
Shortness of breath, rapid breathing
Nausea and vomiting
Anxiety or a sense of doom
Muscle weakness and loss of coordination
Seizures
Intense gasping for air ("air hunger")
Cherry-red skin (due to oxygen being trapped in the blood)
Unconsciousness
Coma
Respiratory failure and death
Some people report an intense burning sensation in the throat and stomach (if ingested).
The gasping for air (air hunger) is often described as extremely distressing—like drowning on dry land.
Loss of consciousness usually happens quickly, but the moments before that can be filled with panic, confusion, and severe discomfort.
Cyanide poisoning is not a peaceful death—it involves extreme distress, breathlessness, and panic before unconsciousness. If given in very high doses, unconsciousness may occur within seconds, but in lower doses, the suffering can last minutes.
