Jake Haendel

I find it strange that on the phone, there was hesitancy to discuss this theory, yet he had no problem typing it out, leaving behind a much more concrete record. I find the choice of the word poison bizarre too. When discussing drugs, people usually use the word laced, which doesn't carry the same weight or intent as poisoned.

I find it strange that on the phone, there was hesitancy to discuss this theory, yet he had no problem typing it out, leaving behind a much more concrete record. I find the choice of the word poison bizarre too. When discussing drugs, people usually use the word laced, which doesn't carry the same weight or intent as poisoned.

As Justin pointed out, heroin is dangerous on its own, and the world of drugs is full of uncertainty. To dig deeper, I reached out to toxicologist Dr. Anne Chappelle. I wanted to know what substances are commonly used to lease drugs. Could Jake have been exposed to an entirely different toxin that affected his brain in this way?

As Justin pointed out, heroin is dangerous on its own, and the world of drugs is full of uncertainty. To dig deeper, I reached out to toxicologist Dr. Anne Chappelle. I wanted to know what substances are commonly used to lease drugs. Could Jake have been exposed to an entirely different toxin that affected his brain in this way?

And beyond those three things that made Jake question the potential poisoning, the weird taste, the lack of sample brought into the hospital, and then the phone call, I wanted to rule out any other possibilities.

And beyond those three things that made Jake question the potential poisoning, the weird taste, the lack of sample brought into the hospital, and then the phone call, I wanted to rule out any other possibilities.

We don't have a sample of Jake's heroin, so it will be impossible to speak in definitives here. But Anne can help answer some of the questions around what could have happened to bring on his diagnosis. Toxic leukoencephalopathy. And in Jake's case, acute toxic progressive leukoencephalopathy.

We don't have a sample of Jake's heroin, so it will be impossible to speak in definitives here. But Anne can help answer some of the questions around what could have happened to bring on his diagnosis. Toxic leukoencephalopathy. And in Jake's case, acute toxic progressive leukoencephalopathy.

Ann tells me about levosomal, originally created as an anti-parasitic drug for animals and humans, and now commonly used to cut into drugs like cocaine and sometimes heroin to increase the weight or volume of the drug.

Ann tells me about levosomal, originally created as an anti-parasitic drug for animals and humans, and now commonly used to cut into drugs like cocaine and sometimes heroin to increase the weight or volume of the drug.

And here's where there's a bit of a chicken-or-the-egg situation. Did Jake's inhalation of heroin and potential toxic contaminants over time lead to this diagnosis? Or was this specific cut of this specific batch laced with something that brought on this disease?

And here's where there's a bit of a chicken-or-the-egg situation. Did Jake's inhalation of heroin and potential toxic contaminants over time lead to this diagnosis? Or was this specific cut of this specific batch laced with something that brought on this disease?

Anne is insinuating here that because of Jake's particular response to odors or tastes, or even as an early sign of toxic glucoencephalopathy, Jake may have thought his stash tasted different, even when others did not. Which is true. He did. And others noticed no difference.

Anne is insinuating here that because of Jake's particular response to odors or tastes, or even as an early sign of toxic glucoencephalopathy, Jake may have thought his stash tasted different, even when others did not. Which is true. He did. And others noticed no difference.

However, this isn't entirely applicable for Jake's case, as he did taste other cuts from the same batch that were in the possession of other people and found no odd taste as he did in his own cut. Oftentimes, when we think of contaminants or cutting agents in drugs, we think of things like fentanyl or rat poison. But Anne brought up something else.

However, this isn't entirely applicable for Jake's case, as he did taste other cuts from the same batch that were in the possession of other people and found no odd taste as he did in his own cut. Oftentimes, when we think of contaminants or cutting agents in drugs, we think of things like fentanyl or rat poison. But Anne brought up something else.

Baking soda, a common item that you can find in most homes. And I was curious about this. What everyday substances could Jake have been exposed to or could have found its way into his heroin that could cause some serious harm when unintentionally inhaled?

Baking soda, a common item that you can find in most homes. And I was curious about this. What everyday substances could Jake have been exposed to or could have found its way into his heroin that could cause some serious harm when unintentionally inhaled?

Anne tells me the most common poisonings are food poisonings. And while Jake didn't have food poisoning, I wondered about his career as an executive chef. He was working in a kitchen most days. Could he have been exposed to something there that when coupled with his heroin use resulted in this disease?

Anne tells me the most common poisonings are food poisonings. And while Jake didn't have food poisoning, I wondered about his career as an executive chef. He was working in a kitchen most days. Could he have been exposed to something there that when coupled with his heroin use resulted in this disease?