Painkillers from Poisons

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