Effects of light carbon monoxide poisoning?

nicholas bonham-carter

The priestess at the Oracle at Delphi in Ancient Greece sat above a volcanic fissure, in the open air, inhaling the fissure’s “sweet vapors”, and going into a trance. In this state she was said to be able to foretell the future, or at least give good advice, and answers to questions put to her by such people as Alexander the Great.
Could a light dose of Carbon monoxide poisoning explain this trance?—NBC

ChrisJ

You do realize there are no doctors on this forum right?

STEVEusaPA

She would've became a much bigger deal if she fell in.

delta T

I have also heard that there is a theory about how the rise of perceived hauntings and other supernatural phenomenon in the Victorian era is thought to have been at least partly caused by the rise in the use of gas lighting in homes. Everyone was getting subtly poisoned by their lights, and having strange visions and nightmares and hallucinations in the worst cases.

Could be....

nicholas bonham-carter

It certainly could!—NBC

RayWohlfarth

I believe it could do that as CO replaces oxygen in the blood and forms Carboxyhemoglobin

GBart

delta T said:

I have also heard that there is a theory about how the rise of perceived hauntings and other supernatural phenomenon in the Victorian era is thought to have been at least partly caused by the rise in the use of gas lighting in homes. Everyone was getting subtly poisoned by their lights, and having strange visions and nightmares and hallucinations in the worst cases.

Could be....

sewage gases too

GBart

I also think that inhaling the fissure’s “sweet vapors” might sear the inside of your nasal passages, the temp would be quite high

GBart

There have been many attempts to find a scientific explanation for the Pythia's inspiration. However, most commonly,
these refer to an observation made by Plutarch, who presided as high priest at Delphi for several years, who stated that her oracular powers appeared to be associated with vapors from the Kerna spring waters that flowed under the temple. It has often been suggested that these vapors may have been hallucinogenic gases.

Recent geological investigations have shown that gas emissions from a geologic chasm in the earth could have inspired the Delphic Oracle to "connect with the divine." Some researchers suggest the possibility that ethylene gas caused the Pythia's state of inspiration. Traces of ethylene have been found in the waters of the Castallian spring, which is now largely diverted for the town water supply of the town of modern Delphi. However, Lehoux argues that ethylene is "impossible" and benzene is "crucially underdetermined." Others argue instead that methane might have been the gas emitted from the chasm, or CO2 and H2S, arguing that the chasm itself might have been a seismic ground rupture.

An alternative theory based on review of contemporary toxicological literature indicates that it is oleander that causes symptoms similar to those of the Pythia. Pythia used oleander as a complement during the oracular procedure, chewing its leaves and inhaling their smoke. The toxic substances of oleander resulted in symptoms similar to those of epilepsy, the “sacred disease,” which amounted to the possession of the Pythia by the spirit of Apollo, an event that made the Pythia his spokesperson, and subsequently, his prophetess. The oleander fumes (the "spirit of Apollo") could have originated in a brazier located in an underground chamber (the antron) and have escaped through an opening (the "chasm") in the temple’s floor. This hypothesis perfectly fits the findings of the archaeological excavations that revealed an underground space under the temple. This explanation sheds light on the alleged spirit and chasm of Delphi, that have been the subject of intense debate and interdisciplinary research for the last hundred years

nicholas bonham-carter

Life was so dangerous back then-no wonder none of them are still alive!!—NBC

Larry Weingarten

Hello @nicholas bonham-carter; Have you been talking with Yogi Berra?

Yours, Larry