I'm going to do something. I NEED TO know if it's safe

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the safety of swallowing neodymium magnets, particularly in the context of performing magic tricks. Participants explore the potential risks and effects of ingesting these magnets, including concerns about toxicity, physical harm, and the implications of their magnetic properties.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses interest in swallowing a neodymium magnet for magic tricks but seeks feedback on safety.
  • Several participants warn against the dangers of swallowing magnets, citing potential harm during digestion and the risk of sharp edges.
  • Concerns are raised about the toxicity of neodymium and its reactions with stomach acids, with some participants questioning the safety of ingestion.
  • Some participants suggest that the magnetic field of the swallowed magnet would not be strong enough to have significant effects outside the body.
  • There are humorous remarks about the potential consequences of the act, including references to Darwin awards and physical injuries.
  • Participants discuss the use of magnets in cows to prevent hardware ingestion, drawing parallels to the human situation.
  • Technical details about neodymium's chemical properties and its reaction with hydrochloric acid are mentioned, though uncertainty remains about the implications of these reactions.
  • Some participants speculate on the motivations behind the act, suggesting curiosity or attention-seeking behavior.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally do not agree on the safety of swallowing neodymium magnets, with multiple competing views and concerns expressed throughout the discussion. Some participants advocate against the act, while others appear to support it humorously or with skepticism.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved questions regarding the toxicity of neodymium, the safety of swallowing magnets, and the potential for physical harm. The discussion includes varying levels of technical understanding and personal anecdotes, which may affect the reliability of the claims made.

tribdog
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first off you need to know two things. 1. I just bought some super strong neodymium magnets. They are super small, shaped like rounded corner cubes about 3mm wide. The second thing you need to know is I do a lot of magic tricks.
If I swallow one of these magnets I think the possibilities for neat magic tricks are obvious. but I want to know if I'm going to die if I do. There are no sharp edges to worry about and I'm sure I can pass one through my system.
gimme some feedback
 
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your crazy...they're going to really hurt comin out:smile:
 
Stay far, far away from thumbtacks, paperclips, pushpins, um... I suppose your computer too, but for different reasons!
 
they are smaller than a peanut and don't have as sharp of edges
 
Hahaha!

The acids in your stomach will attack the protective coating on the magnets, they won't be pretty when/if they come out [for more than one reason].
 
Why not just OD on iron pills and die? :)

I doubt that swallowing magnets is safe...
 
yeah I was wondering about that. is neodymium toxic?
 
Even if you do swallow it, the magnet will not nearly be powerful enough to feel the effects outside your body.
 
I think I can affect a compass from that distance. and I also think I could get it to hold up another magnet on my outside. but then I run the pinch risk.
 
  • #10
here goes nothing
 
  • #11
If you win a darwin award for this i swear to god i will kick your ass.
 
  • #12
Brittle, sintered, sharp fracture edges, possibly close enough to the abdominal surface to be strongly attracted to your belt buckle? Dunno if I'd recommend it --- the chances of performing the first, live, no-hands appendectomy aren't all that large, but still ...

If you can get a good mm or two of high density polyethylene coating to hold the things together, it might be safer. However, the m.p. of the polyethylene is going to be higher than what the magnets take without losing their magnetism, so that's going to be tough.
 
  • #13
http://webcenter.health.webmd.netscape.com/content/article/95/103531.htm

Do not do it!
 
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  • #14
i think it sounds like a great idea. get video of all your neat tricks. see how far you can let it go down your throat and use the other magnet to suck it up.
 
  • #15
I can't find many good MSDS sheets about neodymium, but NdCl3 doesn't look to good, and the Iron in the magnets reacting with the HCl in your stomach definatly isn't too good.
http://www.jtbaker.com/msds/englishhtml/F1678.htm (look under ingestion)
 
  • #16
mattmns said:
http://webcenter.health.webmd.netscape.com/content/article/95/103531.htm

Do not do it!

thats only for multiple magnets. don't listen to silly medical reports. you know... i hear magents make a man look sexy...
 
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  • #17
You're right Gale, that is for more than one magnet. Alright then, go for it trib :smile:
 
  • #18
well...trib hasn't posted for an hour :rolleyes:
 
  • #19
Actually, the magnetic field won't be strong enough to do anything but affect the compass. He can't hold a magnet up on his belly or anything.
 
  • #20
Cows will be given magnets to attract any hardware (nails, etc.) that they may have ingested. However, I doubt they are ever given more than one at a time. If I'm not mistaken, they often stay in the stomach.
 
  • #21
Mk said:
Actually, the magnetic field won't be strong enough to do anything but affect the compass. He can't hold a magnet up on his belly or anything.


I have one extremely strong magnet, and one strong but very small magnet... The strong magnet statches the smaller one from around 8 inches away...
 
  • #22
I've swallowed coins, about the size of dimes, before, and no ill effects - they just passed through.

However, I don't think you should it, since the human digestive tract is not really designed for solid objects - but food and water/liquid.

Certainly people place strange (and solid) objects where nature didn't intend, but if you do, I hope you will be alright. :rolleyes:
 
  • #23
I have a large-pill sized neodynium magnet, N42, and a ~2x3 mm neodynium magnet. I can manipulate the smaller from probably a foot away, and probably about 8 inches sucking distance. What is tribdog's waist's diameter?
 
  • #24
Do you think it got caught in his windpipe? TRIBDOG, you know you aren't allowed to threaten to do something and stop posting!

I'll bet he forgot about that metal plate in his head and it traveled up his sinuses and lodged in his brain. :rolleyes:
 
  • #25
yomamma said:
well...trib hasn't posted for an hour :rolleyes:
This can't be good:cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:
Does anyone how you can use the internet to connected 911(I don't the phone number for 911)Even if you don't where they are or there really name
Mk said:
Actually, the magnetic field won't be strong enough to do anything but affect the compass. He can't hold a magnet up on his belly or anything.
Why didn't you say this earlier
 
  • #26
yomamma said:
well...trib hasn't posted for an hour :rolleyes:

:cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry:
You know instead of celebrating his birthday, we should attend his funeral!:cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry:
I have to say his last joke(swallowing a magnet) was funny and sad at the same time!:smile: :cry: and it reminds me of this 1:


Did you hear about the guy with two wooden legs?
His house caught fire one night, the fire brigade was able to save it,
but sadly He burnt to the ground

Farewell trib!o:)
 
  • #27
Has tribdog exploded yet
 
  • #28
Thats it, I'm driving to arizona and I am going to kick his ass for this.
 
  • #29
can you get me some KFC on the way?
 
  • #30
I don't think he would be 1 of those people who do everything for getting more attention!o:)
So what was his motive? curiosity?
 

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