1. How to make a ZOMBIE! WARNING: Do Not Attempt this at home without adult supervision A Zombie I Want Your Brain

2. The Background Human muscles are controlled by neurons (nerve cells) called axons.Human muscles are controlled by neurons (nerve cells) called axons. An Axon

3. Nerve Impulses Axons carry electro chemical impulses as waves of alternating sodium (Na+), and Potassium (K+) ions across a membrane.Axons carry electro chemical impulses as waves of alternating sodium (Na+), and Potassium (K+) ions across a membrane. After a neuron fires however, it must recharge itself by pumping the Na+ and K+ back to where they started.After a neuron fires however, it must recharge itself by pumping the Na+ and K+ back to where they started. This is the Sodium / Potassium pump and uses up to 85% of the body’s metabolic energyThis is the Sodium / Potassium pump and uses up to 85% of the body’s metabolic energy

4. Sodium Potassium Pump

5. Enter the Pufferfish Voodoo practitioners from the Caribbean isolated an unusual poison found in the pufferfish called TetrodotoxinVoodoo practitioners from the Caribbean isolated an unusual poison found in the pufferfish called Tetrodotoxin pufferfish

6. Tetrododotoxin Tetrodotoxin works by shutting-down the Sodium / Potassium pump of axons controlling your voluntary muscles causing paralysis, and usually death.Tetrodotoxin works by shutting-down the Sodium / Potassium pump of axons controlling your voluntary muscles causing paralysis, and usually death. However, in small doses applied to the skin, only paralysis results, and since the body uses 85% of it’s energy for the sodium / potassium pump, the victim’s oxygen needs are only a fraction of what they used to be.However, in small doses applied to the skin, only paralysis results, and since the body uses 85% of it’s energy for the sodium / potassium pump, the victim’s oxygen needs are only a fraction of what they used to be.

7. Buried Alive Someone poisoned this way would not be able to move, would only breathe a couple of times a minute and would have an undetectable heartbeat. They would appear dead Accordingly, they would be promptly buried.

8. Slavery! After being buried, those people responsible for the poisoning would return and dig-up the unfortunate victim.After being buried, those people responsible for the poisoning would return and dig-up the unfortunate victim. They would be taken to a different island, and when they recovered, be sold into slavery.They would be taken to a different island, and when they recovered, be sold into slavery.

9. The Warm Welcome Home Needless to say, if the victim managed to escape or buy his/her freedom and return home, the victim's relatives would be quite shocked since the victim was believed dead.Needless to say, if the victim managed to escape or buy his/her freedom and return home, the victim's relatives would be quite shocked since the victim was believed dead. Many believed that the person had risen from the dead…hence the legend of the zombie was born.Many believed that the person had risen from the dead…hence the legend of the zombie was born.

10. Voodoo PR Some voodoo practioners would poison victims to “prove” their powers.Some voodoo practioners would poison victims to “prove” their powers. They would stand over their victims performing various rituals until the person revived. It would appear to be the result of the witch-doctor’s powers. Great PRThey would stand over their victims performing various rituals until the person revived. It would appear to be the result of the witch-doctor’s powers. Great PR

11. THE END?