Ep 1.5 – Infectious Tangent: Pharaoh’s Curse & Mummy Dust Rituals

Ever wonder what would happen if a microbiologist and a creature doctor opened a cursed tomb… and immediately started planning a party? Welcome to our very first Infectious Tangent — the mutant mini-episodes where we follow the weird, winding trail of uncut rants, historical horror, and unhinged science that didn’t quite fit into the main show.

This week: things got out of hand while recording Episode 1 (“Fungus Among Us”). One minute we’re talking Cordyceps, the next we’re drinking cursed smoothies made from mummy dust, staging ancient unwrapping ceremonies, and building a full-blown cursed wellness brand. Obviously.

In this unfiltered bonus cut, we dive into:

• Mummy-themed afterlife parties

• Pharaoh-Phresh™: our new ethically-dubious wellness ritual

• Why 19th century Europeans actually drank real mummies

• The totally safe* side effects of powdered kings

• And whether embalming fluid makes a decent pre-workout

So light a ceremonial candle (or just a scented one), put on your favorite linen wraps, and join us for this glorious detour into ancient curses, pseudoscience, and extremely questionable health choices.

🧟‍♀️ Want more uncut mutations?

This episode is just the beginning. For access to all our extended cuts, weird science tangents, behind-the-scenes chaos, and mutant extras, join the horde at Patreon.com/MutantHollow.

🧪 Mutant Hollow is a science-horror podcast hosted by a microbiologist (Amber) and a resident creature doctor (Stacy), exploring infectious agents, speculative biology, and the surprisingly real science behind your favorite monster myths. From zombie fungi to plague-ridden tombs, no horror is too weird, too nerdy, or too… dusty.

Stay weird. Stay mutated. And don’t drink the mummy dust. Seriously.

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*Not FDA approved. Consult your ghost pharmacist before starting any mummy-based ritual.

Welcome to the very first episode of Mutant Hollow, where microbiology meets mayhem. In this premiere, we dig into the real science behind the infamous zombie fungus—Cordyceps.

Amber and Dr. Stacy (our resident “creature doctor”) explore how this mind-controlling parasite hijacks insects in the real world… and whether it could ever leap into humans. From spore warfare to body-snatching behavior, we trace the terrifying line between fact and freaky fiction.

💀 Could Cordyceps mutate to infect people?

🦠 What makes it so creepy to scientists?

🧟‍♀️ Will. It. Zombie?

Plus: a brief romp through folklore, some speculative science, and the launch of our listener poll: WILL IT ZOMBIE?