The most common medications
prescribed today for chronic pain
have a dangerous side effect. They are
highly addictive.
Nearly two million people are
now addicted to hydrocodone,
oxycodone, and similar medications,
all derived from opium. So scientists
are looking for an alternative in
a surprising place—biochemical
weapons employed by toxic plants
and animals! Pain and poison were
not part of God’s original very good
creation before Adam sinned. But
it’s astonishing to discover that
even within the poisons that arose
as a result of the Curse, the Creator
put unique tools we can use to
relieve some consequences of that
Curse. Research suggests that many
natural venoms and poisons contain
specialized chemicals that can block
pain without the adverse effects
posed by opioid-based drugs.
Chinese Red-Headed Centipede
Scolopendra subspinipes mutilans
To speed up healing, an
ancient Chinese remedy is to
hold a venomous red-headed
centipede on the rash. Modern-day
scientists have discovered
a molecule in the centipede’s
venom that blocks pain as well
as or better than morphine,
but without affecting the
brain (at least in mice). It shuts
down a particular sodium
channel that sends
pain signals to the brain.
illustration by Katie Wincek
Pufferfish
Tetraodontidae
Have you tasted fugu lately?
Many people have heard of the
potentially fatal Japanese fish
delicacy, but you may be surprised
to learn that the poison the chef
expertly avoids in preparing the
dish could unlock relief for millions
of cancer patients. Tetrodotoxin
(TTX) blocks sodium channels
that help nerve cells convey
pain messages to the brain.
Chemotherapy frequently leads to
often-painful nerve damage known
as neuropathy, and injections of
TTX from the lethal fish seem to
relieve the pain without the side
effects of morphine.
illustration by Katie Wincek
Tarantula
Haplopelma doriae
Researchers have discovered
peptides (small proteins) in
different spiders’ venom that are
highly selective. In other words,
the toxins act on very specific
communication channels in the
body. Opioid pain relievers, in
contrast, shut down multiple
receptors throughout the brain
and the rest of the body. The
indiscriminate effect of opioids
can have undesirable side effects,
such as addiction and reduced
effectiveness over time.
illustration by Katie Wincek
Box Jellyfish
Chironex fleckeri
The most venomous animal
on earth, the menacing box
jellyfish kills an estimated 20–40
people annually in the Philippines
alone. But its deadly venom
might actually contain the key
ingredient for a new nonaddictive
painkiller. Most people would
tremble at the idea of “milking”
a snake for its venom, but can
you imagine trying to obtain
venom from a lethal jellyfish?
illustration by Katie Wincek
African Spurge
Euphorbia resinifera
Consuming two teaspoons of
Resiniferatoxin (RTX), found in
this cactus-like plant, could kill
you. However, small injections
kill pain. Permanently. This is
especially helpful for nerve
cells that produce noxious heat
and inflammation. RTX seeks
and destroys only those nerve
cells. For patients with chronic,
incurable, inflammatory pain,
RTX offers welcome relief.
illustration by Katie Wincek
overseeing the museum’s collections. She received her BS in
biology from Milligan College. Stephanie and her husband
Perry, the museum’s naturalist, are avid outdoor enthusiasts.
https://answersingenesis.org/animals/painkillers-poisons/ This article originally appeared on answersingenesis.org
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