Abstract：
OBJECTIVE: Zombification, a magical and religious process in Haiti, has been scientifically studied and remains relevant. Originating from the convergence of African, Caribbean, and Christian rites, it involves a comatose trance, transforming individuals into living dead through Voodoo practices. Haitian zombies consistently exhibit a preserved expression marked by a nasal voice, a result of nasalization-using nasal cavities as resonators during phonation. The aim of this study was to ascertain the mechanisms through which zombification could impact the voices of the subjects.
METHODS: A comprehensive investigation was conducted using both primary and secondary sources. Primary sources involved direct or reported testimonies of individuals undergoing zombification, with audio or video recordings available from the collections of the Laboratory of Anthropology, Archaeology, and Biology (UVSQ/Paris-Saclay University), as well as on the internet. Secondary sources encompassed the entirety of existing literature regarding zombification in Haiti on one hand, alterations in the voices of subjects when mentioned on the other hand, and toxicological hypotheses or evidence available on PubMed/Medline and Google Scholar.
RESULTS: Few post-zombification observations exist, but 20th-century studies clarified the physio pathological process, confirming its reality. Wade Davis demonstrated in 1983 that zombification results from poisoning, with effects ranging from reversible to fatal, implicating substances like tetrodotoxin and datura. Nasalization can be natural or pathological, affecting various phonemes. No mutilating acts or surgery have been reported related to Haitian zombification.
CONCLUSIONS: The pharmacological characteristics of tetrodotoxin, coupled with testimonials, present a medical hypothesis elucidating the biological mechanism underlying nasalization in this context. Given that tetrodotoxin induces flaccid paralysis as a neurotropic poison, its neurological impact could account for soft palate paralysis or spasms. Additionally, the severe hypotension induced by tetrodotoxin may elucidate oral and pharyngeal necrosis.
METHODS: A comprehensive investigation was conducted using both primary and secondary sources. Primary sources involved direct or reported testimonies of individuals undergoing zombification, with audio or video recordings available from the collections of the Laboratory of Anthropology, Archaeology, and Biology (UVSQ/Paris-Saclay University), as well as on the internet. Secondary sources encompassed the entirety of existing literature regarding zombification in Haiti on one hand, alterations in the voices of subjects when mentioned on the other hand, and toxicological hypotheses or evidence available on PubMed/Medline and Google Scholar.
RESULTS: Few post-zombification observations exist, but 20th-century studies clarified the physio pathological process, confirming its reality. Wade Davis demonstrated in 1983 that zombification results from poisoning, with effects ranging from reversible to fatal, implicating substances like tetrodotoxin and datura. Nasalization can be natural or pathological, affecting various phonemes. No mutilating acts or surgery have been reported related to Haitian zombification.
CONCLUSIONS: The pharmacological characteristics of tetrodotoxin, coupled with testimonials, present a medical hypothesis elucidating the biological mechanism underlying nasalization in this context. Given that tetrodotoxin induces flaccid paralysis as a neurotropic poison, its neurological impact could account for soft palate paralysis or spasms. Additionally, the severe hypotension induced by tetrodotoxin may elucidate oral and pharyngeal necrosis.
摘要：
目的：僵尸化，海地的一个神奇和宗教的过程，已经进行了科学研究，仍然具有现实意义。源于非洲的融合，加勒比,和基督教仪式，它涉及到昏迷的恍惚,通过巫术实践将个人转化为活死人。海地僵尸一贯表现出保留的表情，以鼻音为标志，鼻化的结果-在发声过程中使用鼻腔作为共振器。这项研究的目的是确定僵尸化可能影响受试者声音的机制。
方法：使用主要和次要来源进行了全面调查。主要来源涉及经历僵尸化的个体的直接或报告的证词，提供人类学实验室收藏的音频或视频记录，考古学,和生物学（UVSQ/巴黎-Saclay大学），以及在互联网上。次要来源一方面涵盖了有关海地僵尸化的现有文献，另一方面，当提到受试者的声音改变时，以及PubMed/Medline和GoogleScholar上提供的毒理学假设或证据。
结果：很少有僵尸化后的观察结果，但是20世纪的研究澄清了生理病理过程，证实了它的现实。韦德·戴维斯在1983年证明了僵尸化是由中毒引起的，影响范围从可逆到致命，牵涉到河豚毒素和曼陀罗等物质。鼻化可以是自然的或病理性的，影响各种音素。据报道，没有与海地僵尸化有关的残害行为或手术。
结论：河豚毒素的药理特性，再加上证词，提出了一个医学假设，阐明了在这种情况下鼻化的生物学机制。鉴于河豚毒素作为一种嗜神经毒物诱导弛缓性麻痹，它的神经影响可以解释软腭麻痹或痉挛。此外,河豚毒素引起的严重低血压可能会导致口腔和咽部坏死。
方法：使用主要和次要来源进行了全面调查。主要来源涉及经历僵尸化的个体的直接或报告的证词，提供人类学实验室收藏的音频或视频记录，考古学,和生物学（UVSQ/巴黎-Saclay大学），以及在互联网上。次要来源一方面涵盖了有关海地僵尸化的现有文献，另一方面，当提到受试者的声音改变时，以及PubMed/Medline和GoogleScholar上提供的毒理学假设或证据。
结果：很少有僵尸化后的观察结果，但是20世纪的研究澄清了生理病理过程，证实了它的现实。韦德·戴维斯在1983年证明了僵尸化是由中毒引起的，影响范围从可逆到致命，牵涉到河豚毒素和曼陀罗等物质。鼻化可以是自然的或病理性的，影响各种音素。据报道，没有与海地僵尸化有关的残害行为或手术。
结论：河豚毒素的药理特性，再加上证词，提出了一个医学假设，阐明了在这种情况下鼻化的生物学机制。鉴于河豚毒素作为一种嗜神经毒物诱导弛缓性麻痹，它的神经影响可以解释软腭麻痹或痉挛。此外,河豚毒素引起的严重低血压可能会导致口腔和咽部坏死。
