Does cyanide actually smell like almonds?

The video begins with a sponsorship mention and a disclaimer against recreating the experiment due to the use of cyanide. The narrator expresses curiosity about the common claim that cyanide smells like almonds, which is paradoxical as toxic substances typically have unpleasant odors. To verify this, the narrator orders a large quantity of sodium cyanide, noting its unassuming appearance and the fact that it's not as lethal as believed in small doses. The goal is to create and smell hydrogen cyanide gas, which is more dangerous due to its rapid effects when inhaled.

The narrator discusses the process of generating hydrogen cyanide gas from sodium cyanide by adding water and monitoring the concentration with a cyanide meter. The initial attempt to smell the gas does not yield an almond-like odor; instead, it smells like chemicals, specifically weak bleach or chlorine. The narrator then compares this to the smell of actual almonds, which are found to be nearly odorless even when crushed or made into a milk-like substance. It is revealed that the 'almond smell' associated with cyanide actually refers to bitter almonds, which are harder to find and contain cyanide.

The narrator describes finding bitter almonds on Amazon and the ethical dilemma of supporting a market that includes questionable uses like alternative cancer treatments. Upon receiving the bitter almonds, the narrator notes their lack of odor and attempts to taste one, finding it extremely bitter and unpleasant. The taste does not remind the narrator of cyanide. The bitter almonds are then smashed and tested with water, which releases a faint smell that could be associated with almonds due to benzaldehyde, a compound used as an artificial flavoring. However, the smell is still not similar to the pure cyanide experienced earlier.

The narrator conducts further experiments by smashing a single bitter almond and adding water, which results in a detectable level of hydrogen cyanide. The smell is still identified as cyanide with a slight cherry hint from benzaldehyde but not resembling almonds. The video argues that saying cyanide smells like bitter almonds is technically correct but misleading, as most people are not familiar with the smell of bitter almonds. The narrator also shares that some people cannot detect the smell of cyanide at all, even at toxic levels. The experiment concludes with opinions from the narrator's brother and a friend, who also do not associate the smell with almonds.

The video concludes with a product endorsement for Raycon's E25 earbuds, which the narrator has been using regularly. The earbuds are praised for their fit, ease of pairing, good bass, noise isolation, and affordability. The narrator recommends Raycon and provides a special link for a discount. The video ends with thanks to patrons and supporters on Patreon, mentioning the benefits of early access to videos and the ability to view previously removed content.