One common cause of SLUDGE is exposure to organophosphorus insecticides (including parathion, malathion, and diazinon) or nerve gas, such as sarin. These agents phosphorylate acetylcholinesterase, thereby irreversibly deactivating acetylcholinesterase and raising acetylcholine levels and causing SLUDGE.
Every stone grants different abilities to its owner. The Infinity Gems (previously known as Soul Gems) are some of the most powerful artifacts in the Universe. Each one allows its owner complete omnipotence over one aspect of the universe: time, space, reality, mind, power, and soul. When all six are directly wielded together, nothing is impossible for their bearer.
According to the most commonly accepted origin story the six gems were once part of an all-powerful being who committed suicide out of loneliness. Its power survived and manifested as six gems. The Soul Gem was in the possession of the High Evolutionary when he oversaw the rebirth of Adam Warlock. He gifted the gem to Warlock to aid him in his mission to save the world of Counter-Earth. During that time, Warlock primarily used the gem's powers to restore evil New Men to their pre-evolved animal forms.