What Does Lead Poisoning Do To Your Brain?

How does lead damage our brains-and what can we do to stop it?
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↓Want more gross info?↓
Dysregulation of BDNF-TrkB Signaling in Developing Hippocampal Neurons by Pb2þ: Implications for an Environmental Basis of Neurodevelopmental Disorders:
www.ncbi.nlm.n...
CDC on Lead Poisoning:
www.cdc.gov/nc...
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Host, Writer, Animator, Editor
Anna Rothschild
Camera, Sound
Ana Aceves
Culture Shock
Music Provided by APM
Special Thanks to:
Dr. Tomás Guilarte, Dean of Robert Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work at Florida International University
Dr. Patric K. Stanton, New York Medical College
FOOTAGE AND STILLS
Original Footage and Stills
©WGBH Educational Foundation 2017
Footage of brain cells with and without BDNF
Courtesy Dr. Tomás Guilarte
Neuronsfiring-loop
Pond5/kitchendon
Lead electrolytic and 1cm3 cube
Wikimedia Commons/Alchemist-hp
Lead Pipe - Bath Roman Baths
Wikimedia commons/Andrew Dunn
LeadPaint1
Wikimedia Commons/Thester11
Peinture Plomb écailles 3
Wikimedia Commons/Lamiot
PSM V01 D357 Human encelphalon
Wikimedia Commons/Popular Science Monthly Volume 1
Skelett-Mensch-drawing
Wikimedia Commons/Hubert Ludwig
31 Weeks Pregnant
Flickr/Jerry Lai
New baby
Flickr/Jeremy Tarling
SFX
Cockroaches
Freesound/StateAardvark­
(used with permission from author)
Squeak Pack/squeak_10
Freesound/Corsica_S
Bubbles Popping
Freesound/ch0cchi
Nord analog howling wind storm
Freesound/medialint
Wink
Freesound/Bennychico11
Lock Unlock
Freesound/cemagar
Produced by WGBH for PBS Digital Studios

[@AC-kl8gi]

I was always the slowest in my class academically due to lead poisoning, which followed me into employment. It's been a nightmare!

[@branhan215124]

I really like the idea of expanding the definition of gross to anything grim or dangerous, along with the usual insects, molds, parasites and fecal matter we expect.

[@grossscienceshow]

Great! I have been wanting to expand the show in that way, so I'm glad you approve!!!

[@johannaromero2554]

Gross Science Isn't this just a rip-off of other science channels, Like Deep Look, Discovery, ASAP science and etc. but when you really think about it, Its just rip off of rip offs of rip offs.

[@johannaromero2554]

***** What do you disagree with? Aren't all science channels like this extremtly similar to each other, Just using slightly different topics?

[@nightbane2889]

Well, a rip-off has certain negative connotations associated it such as inferrier quality, misinformation, copied or paraphased wording from other people (on purpose), etc.

[@KQEDDeepLook]

Nah.

[@katknits2105]

Thank you for posting this video. I had lead poisoning when I was 14, living in a house that was well over 150 years old. The landlord removed the paint from the walls himself, but never cleaned the chips off the floor before laying the carpet in my bedroom down, so it turned to dust and I ended up inhaling it. From what the doctor told me, it was stored in my fat cells for months and allowed to accumulate. I didn't know I was even that toxic until I lost 12 pounds in a week. We all know lead is bad, but I haven't found anything about permanent issues regarding lead poisoning until now. I still have problems with running into things, as well as pushing the wrong button on my registers at work or other machines and computers elsewhere. I never had that issue before my poisoning, just after. To top it all off, it was even more excruciating than childbirth, and I gave birth naturally, twice, one front labor, one back labor. (I still joke around about how labor paled in comparison)

[@Trappedinatriangle]

My grandfather worked for dutch boy lead paint. He died suddenly in his 40s

[@5620103893]

one guy in Flint, Michigan has lost the ability to control his body temperature due to heavy metal poisoning. Still can't believe that they cannot yet drink or even bathe in their own water 3 years later.

[@garypick]

I live in a house built in 1942 and paint, and repainted for years while lead was still widely used. Most of the houses in my city were built between 1880-1980, with a much smaller number being built within the last 40 years. Newer houses are built in the more rural areas. Dealing with those houses is a HUGE issue and most see it as a risk they don't want to take. So, they just abandon the house and move away, leaving tens of thousands of homes empty. For the houses, like mine, that people want to take care of, I have to constantly think about the fact that the last time I went through my house with a lead test kit, lead is EVERYWHERE. Paint chips on my bathroom sealing. The woman at the paint store said to just sand it down and repaint. Uh, I don't think so. I ended up putting a thin piece of wallboard over it. But, I am still trying to figure out what to do about other areas of the house. Anything from hanging a picture to opening a window have the potential to cause lead exposure. Very sad.

[@randomaf9410]

I wish I had you as my science teacher in school. Mine was horrible, and as a result my grades were poor. I have ADHD so getting interested in something has to come from someone interested in the subject and be enthusiastic like you. I love science now thanks to people like you, but only as a side hobby maybe one day I will pursue some kind of job to do with Science but feels like that ship has sailed. Thank you so much for all these videos and amazing things I never knew about :)

[@grossscienceshow]

You have totally made my day. I'm so glad you appreciate and learn from my videos-this is exactly why I do what I do! Please let me know if you ever have a question I can answer on the show. Thanks for watching!

[@loungelizard836]

ADHD is another symptom of lead poisoning. Stay away from fishing weights, bullets, and small regional airports and it will get better! (small planes STILL use leaded fuel!)

[@binky2819]

I felt like this episode was somewhat different than what you normally do, but it is still nonetheless very informative and interesting. :) Loved it!

[@grossscienceshow]

Thank you! I'd love to do more episodes like this in the future.

[@drphu]

ah u finally got grossed out!

[@samuelsantiago6476]

Gross Science Is lead still found in pencils?

[@loralynsanders3956]

GamerKat64 not anymore, they use graphite now

[@sabrinaf7456]

GamerKat64 no

[@SuperGreatSphinx]

Lead is a chemical element with symbol Pb (from the Latin plumbum) and atomic number 82. It is a heavy metal that is denser than most common materials. Lead is soft and malleable, and has a relatively low melting point. When freshly cut, lead is bluish-white; it tarnishes to a dull gray color when exposed to air. Lead has the highest atomic number of any stable element and concludes three major decay chains of heavier elements. Lead is a relatively unreactive post-transition metal. Its weak metallic character is illustrated by its amphoteric nature; lead and lead oxides react with acids and bases, and it tends to form covalent bonds. Compounds of lead are usually found in the +2 oxidation state rather than the +4 state common with lighter members of the carbon group. Exceptions are mostly limited to organolead compounds. Like the lighter members of the group, lead tends to bond with itself; it can form chains, rings and polyhedral structures. Lead is easily extracted from its ores; prehistoric people in Western Asia knew of it. Galena, a principal ore of lead, often bears silver, interest in which helped initiate widespread extraction and use of lead in ancient Rome. Lead production declined after the fall of Rome and did not reach comparable levels until the Industrial Revolution. In 2014, annual global production of lead was about ten million tonnes, over half of which was from recycling. Lead's high density, low melting point, ductility and relative inertness to oxidation make it useful. These properties, combined with its relative abundance and low cost, resulted in its extensive use in construction, plumbing, batteries, bullets and shot, weights, solders, pewters, fusible alloys, white paints, leaded gasoline, and radiation shielding. In the late 19th century, lead's toxicity was recognized, and its use has since been phased out of many applications. Lead is a neurotoxin that accumulates in soft tissues and bones, damages the nervous system, and causes blood disorders. It is particularly problematic in children: even if blood levels are promptly normalized with treatment, permanent brain damage may result.

[@BlaZenGage]

Crazy history since 3000 B.C.

[@erictaylor5462]

0:15 They didn't add lead to paint because it's soft and malleable. They added lead to paint because it makes a very nearly perfect white, and you want that, not just for white stuff, but also because a white base makes creating other colors easier;.

[@deetee2647]

you always make complicated science seem simple. Love that

[@grossscienceshow]

Thank you!

[@Itszahia]

I got lead poisoning when I was little and I use to have seizures.

[@TheCimbrianBull]

Bad pun incoming: I believe that we have been mislead! ;-)

[@bIahaj]

ayyyyy

[@dawnareno]

TheCimbrianBull boi

[@nebulouscat5477]

OH

[@843idfa]

Misled not mislead.

[@missbleach8767]

@@nebulouscat5477 🐈

[@tugger]

we should sue every single politician who has neglected infrastructure

[@havanadaurcy1321]

My father used the term zombie to describe the brain issues when getting a teaching transfer

[@loungelizard836]

It's important to know that lead in high quantities is still used in aviation gasoline (so-called "LowLead-100") which is much higher in lead than automobile gasoline was in the 1980's!

[@oscarorfiano5026]

More on lead please!!. This is very interesting especially for us chemistry student.

[@bryanjones14]

Im a 50 yr old male , my doctor checked my BLL because he had suck a hard time getting my blood pressure under control ..... My BLL is 56.9 .,anything above .5 is considered toxic . My mind has turned to crap my memory is horrifiy . Im starting chelation therapy today , hopefully it helps

[@xhealmeplease]

Did chelation therapy improve your brain health? Do you feel sharper?

[@user-fi7po1tp9y]

KZbin has blocked this video in the high school computers on student terminals for being inappropriate! I don't know why. Is it the name "gross?"

[@SonarTheBat]

Because it teaches students how to poison people perhaps?

[@BRUXXUS]

I love your channel and really appreciate this video. I would enjoy seeing more stuff like this that's "gross" in a more sinister sense in the future!

[@grossscienceshow]

You got it! Thanks so much!

[@music4dance837]

Safe drinking water is not a luxury but it is a necessity, the fact that Flint has had lead in their water for 3 years now is unacceptable. Sorry, that was a bit of a random rant.

[@amandaradtke]

Interesting! I read in an article the other day that our bodies mistake lead for calcium. Is that accurate? In this video, it seems like lead just gets in calcium's way.

[@grossscienceshow]

Both are true! So, lead does "replace" or "compete with" calcium in certain parts of our bodies. That's why it gets taken up by our bones. And that's also what happens when it blocks the chemical signals/messages I mention from being sent. But when it blocks BDNF it's actually not replacing calcium at all. In fact, it's mimicking something else (zinc I think?) that makes up part of one of those "keys" that open the calcium channel. So, in that case it's really just jamming the "lock" and keeping calcium from getting into the cell. Great question!

[@amandaradtke]

Oh, wow! Man, that lead is quite sinister. Thanks for the response, and for a great video!

[@joshgellis3292]

This is some f-ing, darkly disturbing but frankly interesting stuff.😳👍🏻

[@ez8114]

I have lead poisoning, as it stand I had the highest level of lead poisoning in my area when I was younger.

[@ZorroVulpes]

Politicians used to deny the studies that lead was poisonous in America even when Europe had it banned for decades, America was still making documentaries about how you shouldn't listen to those scientists.

[@angelabasurto5379]

Are there any stories on Gillman Colorado? Seems like there must be some interesting stories there. Thank You for your info about lead poisoning.

[@dantheman8351]

dam those guys on the Terror and Erebus had to deal with lead poisoning

[@izanagi21ify]

Lead was used as plumbing by the Romans, hence the term "Plumbum." They also made cups, plates and other utensils from lead. It made their drinking water taste sweeter, but its consequences go far as contributing to the decline of the whole empire.

[@KatWarhound]

Lived near flint MI for a few years and got lead poisoning. It sucks. Never live in MI.

[@Animelily]

I live in Pittsburgh. Not only do we have old houses, paint, and plumbing, but even though the city is far cleaner now, there is quite a lot of pollution locked in the soil from the dirty industrial past. Thankfully pediatricians have picked up on that, and at least with my kids, their pediatrician tested their blood lead levels even after we moved from our 1950's built house to a new home. (They're all good! However, that said, the number wasn't zero. Safe levels, but not zero.)

[@kjp2404]

Not sure if this is related, but from inhaling lead fumes (not intentionally) while soldering I think form this I got appendicitis which I had to have an operation on. Not sure what else it could of been from. Always use a mask and be in a well ventilated place, use a fan too 😉

[@filthiestcurriedsausageini2625]

4:46 lead is in the air, the soil, the rain water, the sea and our blood where I come from so not that big of a deal, have you ever seen Gray seafoam from it's lead content? If not come on down to Port Pirie see it for yourself It's a tricky one in Port Pirie you can reduce the lead by killing the smelters but you will also kill the livelihood of the town, so what is the answer?

[@Julia76087]

hmm, i wonder if its possible for BDNF to be used in people who have had strokes, to help them create stronger connections? what do you think?

[@grossscienceshow]

Interesting idea! None of the scientists I spoke with mentioned it, but this is still super new research.

[@caitlinsorrell4597]

Hi Anna! I loved hearing you talk about parasites on Friday night, and this morning your lead poisoning video popped up in my facebook feed via Neuroscience News and Research (yes, my facebook feed is kinda nerdy), so I popped over and now I've subscribed! Looking forward to seeing more!

[@beefydamngoodness]

Is there a way to test for lead level in our system?

[@theforth6151]

Paul Flores you can do a blood test for lead

[@leafsgirl15]

Can you do a video on food poisoning (e.g. salmonella, e.coli, etc..) and how it quickly moves through the body? I was discussing this with my sisters, wondering how bacteria moves so quickly through the body which results in instant diarrhea/vomiting.

[@bit-gx5qb]

you "lead"me straight into a doctors office just to check my body if i have lead in my body

[@miloradvlaovic]

You could've added a pic of the damaged gums with ulceration that some of the lead poisoning victims develop and then add your iconic: "ew" or smth of a sort. That way you get gross without compromising the ... how would I put it... "serious" theme of the video :) Love it btw! Excellent work.

[@mathieuleader8601]

can people with lead posioning affect fertility and moreover can people have syndromes that give them unusual lead levels?

[@tedhubertcrusio372]

That explains the lady in the movie Patriot, where she mistook the sabotage of a ship for fireworks... She's already lost her marbles at the point, as the actress depicted her as a shaking, addled victim of Georgian fashion, which claimed the lives of many upperclass women.

[@yannicklampe4278]

I love that you always get more detailed with your videos! Keep going!! :)

[@grossscienceshow]

Thank you, Yannick!

[@mariaroslund6707]

What about adults, My husband and I have been recently tested for heavy metals, and discovered we are over the top with lead ! vintage dishes were the cu;print, We have Chronic insomnia and I have been plaques with headaches and memory fog & loss. something I never use to have.Will chelation therapy for the lead actually get rid of it. And I have watched several video’s no one talks about vintage and even new glass products. Just for your info. Please let me know if the chelation works, Many thanks for a great job !

[@chiranjeevikandi3407]

Do people with lead poisoning have symptoms?

[@theforth6151]

Chiranjeevi kandi yes not all do

[@bethgadamali9127]

Is there a test to know if your taps have contaminated lead? I'm curious because my friends and I are complaining about headaches and memory problems. Also, does water softeners remove lead? or just iron?

[@OMalihaMalik]

blood test for lead can be done

[@jet_flyer]

Currently watching this in a house that I had to sign waivers for lead paint and asbestos, nervously laughing (they said it's fine as long as there aren't holes in the wall or outer layer of paint)

[@patrickcummins79]

Does lead poisoning make you think you are being stalked by a mythical polar bear?

[@enrytwo]

Bruh 💀

[@gabrielvergara4633]

Is there a way to remove lead from the body?

[@mathieuleader8601]

my comment will elay your fears

[@theepicsealshow123]

maybe activated charcoal

[@Tulip_123]

Gedora using CaEDTA soon after it has occured

[@mymyrrah]

Gedora Dank Memes.

[@consuelobeck-sague7987]

Alas, CaEDTA does not reverse the subtle brain effects. However, very stimulating environments and excellent nutrition does appear to have an effect, according to Dr. Guilarte, who provided some of the cool footage of BDNF reversal of lead effects. So while we work for elimination of fetal, infant and childhood lead exposure and wait for the BDNF treatment :D how about we provide the optimal environments and nutrition that affected children need?

[@CrankyPantss]

Good job, Anna. Poo and snot are gross and fun to talk about, but this certainly is gross, too. Well done, as always.

[@saltrush3448]

I love your vids so much and love all the passion you put into them it makes them so much more refreshing.

[@xgracetm]

Great video!! 👍 I have a question about "naturally occurring" lead. I started doing my own research after buying Earth Paste toothpaste, and reading on the label there was naturally occurring lead in the toothpaste. I read on the web that there can be naturally occurring lead in some vegetables too. I was wondering your opinion on this and if lead is really safe to ingest if it's in small amounts? Thanks!!

[@tabaks]

Yes, I fully believe that lead poisoning is a HUGE issue in USA!

[@theforth6151]

oh o my house is a old house and I t tested positive for lead in the paint. the paint is cracked and chipping off but none of my family are worried because they are uneducated enough to know the effects of lead. when I told them they didn't care. I don't know what to do

[@karenthompson9492]

They knew that it would harm us. That's why it was used

[@SocksKr]

There is lead in the water of Newark, NJ

[@lynnkahle2586]

How can I get it out of my brain?

[@zozansinde9610]

What taste did u have to find out

[@stevenlitvintchouk3131]

There is a fascinating theory that the sharp rise in violent street crime in the 20th century was the result of behavioral changes caused by leaded gasoline (taking into account a 20-year lag for the effects to work). Crime rates worldwide started to drop about 25 years after leaded gasoline was phased out.

[@bowshockgalaxy]

When it gets blocked by the lead whr does the calcium go then..I fig that would hurt the brain 🧠 also

[@linushyper300]

This chick reminds me of Moira Brown from Fallout 3.

[@_P0tat07_]

Lead doesn’t bother me as much as it should I guess. I’ve been soldering for years with no fume extractors, holding lead solder in my mouth, melting and casting lead without respirators, etc. I know I should be more careful but it’s like I don’t care?

[@falseleadersareamongus1999]

It's a silent killer so you'll die eventually

[@Astxckzz]

I've had lead poisoning for years since I was born

[@lt4378]

is it curable because just today the doctor said my baby sister (8 months) has some of the lead stuff in her blood but only a small amount so it’s not too bad (I have doubts) It’s probably from always putting things in her mouth in the house but do you think she is going to be okay I know you’re not a doctor but I want to here from someone who actually had this

[@jansheeren2150]

Love your videos! :)

[@grossscienceshow]

Thanks for watching!

[@yujibell]

I'm here after watching the video of the man who deliberately poisoned his wife with lead

[@tosachi1]

I think me and a lot of my friends may have been exposed to lead. We live in Albany ny and there's lead everywhere. Can we take nutritional supplements or any other medications to help our brains recover?

[@LDXReal]

You published this today! so cool!

[@danbrown4life]

Very informative, tackling gross on a synaptic scale. ^.^

[@pork_soda_91]

in a middle school newer to your channel and I love how grossly informative 😝 this is actually a really cool show! keep the grossness coming 😝

[@grossscienceshow]

Thank you! Will do!

[@germanshepard4656]

KittyMoo the goddess of memes. Im a middle schooler too

[@M4g1ckM1k3]

Ive had lead poisioning before but that was when i was younger

[@lt4378]

Kayson The Cringe is it curable because just today the doctor said my baby sister (8 months) has some of the lead stuff in her blood but only a small amount so it’s not too bad (I have doubts) It’s probably from always putting things in her mouth in the house but do you think she is going to be okay I know you’re not a doctor but I want to here from someone who actually had this

[@M4g1ckM1k3]

I had a dangerous amount of lead in my blood..Luckily i was cured ^^

[@OMalihaMalik]

+Kayson The Cringe how were you cured?

[@shawnpowell9506]

I'm new to watching your videos, excellent job. Very educational, look forward to seeing more.

[@grossscienceshow]

Thanks, Shawn!

[@annberry8149]

Scott Pruitt lives in Oklahoma just South of the move lead polluted site in the USA. Maybe that explains his behavior. By the way, Scott Pruitt was, of course on the wrong side when it came to the lead pollution at that site in Oklahoma.

[@LetsCatchYourDream]

What about dementia in older adults and lead?

[@rairajane]

Hi Anna, are you going to do a video about mercury poisoning?

[@grossscienceshow]

A few people have asked me about this. Guess I should!

[@jnzkngs]

Does anyone else think that sitting in the back seat of a 60's or 70's station wagon inhaling leaded fuel fumes explains my generation (43) and their children?

[@fmlAllthetime]

You should look up the correlation between the effects of leaded gas, it's replacement and the rates of violent crime.

[@earthypython3948]

Future Marine I did The same.....

[@wynkelly1389]

As a child, I rode in the back of a Chevy station wagon while my family moved from Calif to Texas right after Kennedy was killed. I was "car-sick" all the way with nausea, dizziness, headaches. I wonder what brain damage resulted from that! I wonder if that is the cause of my AD/HD. depression, memory issues...

[@mateuszcielas3362]

now about mercury

[@GtForLife123]

Lol the neuron part reminded me of Michelanelo's "The Creation of Adam". Neat vid. I never knew the reason for the seriousness of lead. Hopefully it's not an ingredient in the old paint on my walls...

[@CallMeTess]

I got an ad for your channel while watching your video.

[@youngatheart212]

If I remember correctly the families of flint still don't have clean water

[@jeromecabral7464]

They used lead in gasoline also

[@bliesberg]

Still do, avgas for piston engine aircraft has lead in it. Many countries still use leaded gasoline as well.

[@hugh2hoob668]

I have a headache it's lead poisoning - me 😅

[@Nick-dx2pt]

Hey just a question Do pencils have lead in them???

[@emptiedhollows]

Love this channel

[@passionearmiariacompressa883]

I am an airgun shooter for fun and use lead pellets. Their medium weight is 0,5 grams. I shoot about every 3 days, and shoot 20 to 100 rounds. I pick up every pellet bare hand and load the gun, then when I stop shooting I handle the remaining pellets in the tin to count them. After this procedure, I accurately wash my hands. Could this cause poisoning due to direct contact of lead on skin? or you refer to lead poisoning due to lead particles breathing? in this case, should I use a dust mask? please answer, pellet guns are sooooo common and this is a question I am quite sure a lot of people want to know the answer to avoid lead danger. Many thanks! best from NEItaly

[@joet1311]

I’ve been working with lead wheel weights and batteries at an auto repair shop for about a year now, am I in danger?

[@jenniferdziedzic4040]

Great job!!! This highlights information from my PI and research done in our lab!!! Love the Real Talk!!

[@grossscienceshow]

That's so great to hear! Thank you for doing this important research!

[@christopherjamesmarinopian8523]

Is it possible that lead posing can make you not want to move to a know home? PLEASE ANSER.

[@Nawfelup]

My 8 year old autistic son has had lead poisoning for the last 6-7 years but the recent results are very high needing chelation. However, I am.not convinced that DMSA without supplementation at 800 mg daily input will benefit... I think it will harm.him.more Has snyone had experience with lead chelation Thanks for your answers

[@graishawnlandry6558]

I love this channel so much!!

[@nolen1960]

I wear lead teeth guards so i can eat uranium

[@rossfriedman6570]

I heard something about hardening artery walls

[@princeedmunddukeofedinburg]

Thankyou for this.

[@juanmf]

Is BDNF supplementation available? Of so, is it safe? (Would it dial down endogenous production?)

[@jasonthibodeau5687]

I just keep adding to my lead poisoning every day

[@morgangreen2601]

I eat lead chips all the time, and I don't feel any uhhh what was I talking about again?

[@demonfatpotatopotatogoddes1124]

I feel like this is more terrifying than disgusting

[@danielacedilla5982]

@Gross Science im a teen in the rifle team at my school and our pellets are made of lead...we have safety precautions after we shoot with the lead by washing our hands with cold water. Do i still need to worry about it?

[@theforth6151]

Daniel Acedilla yes you can breath the lead particles in. I suggest you do your own research on it using Google or something else.

[@paolachavez2310]

Who are they testing this on?

[@mickeythemaltipoo3756]

I'll be the first one test for that BDNF 🙋🏽

[@AC-kl8gi]

I could just break down and cry after hearing this information. I'm 66 and was exposed to lead paint getting all over both legs when I was in elementary school.

[@srhmcs1]

Absorption through skin does happen, but not efficiently, it's breathing and ingesting lead that is the culprit. I'm sure the years of breathing leaded gasoline emissions contributed much more to your body's lead burden. All of us born between like 1940 and 1980 were heavily lead poisoned by today's standards. Non-stop from in the womb through adulthood, breathing in leaded car emissions.

[@magnuswootton6181]

how come there is lead in fuel then, and we use sodder in electronics?

[@julielabelle2783]

Great video, thank you.

[@navigatorofnone]

Thank you for another informative video 👍👍 although it kind of freaked me out a little 😨