There is no way this particular posting can be kept discrete and totally suitable for the ears of Aunt Agnes. However, in the interests of spreading scientific knowledge, the archive must do its best.
With apologies to Aunt Agnes and any arachnophobes present – - -
The BBC reports that Brazilian and US scientists are looking into using spider venom as a possible treatment for male impotence.
It seems that men who are unlucky enough to be bitten by the Brazilian wandering spider (Phoneutria nigriventer) suffer from Priapism.
The venom includes a toxin (Tx2-6) which has been found to cause erections. Researchers at the Medical School of Georgia are expected to release further results in around a month.
While the bite of this spider can be fatal, some men reported the side effect. The relevant toxin was extracted from the venom and has been tested on other mammals.
So far, scientists believe that combining a version of the spider’s venom with an existing drug for erectile dysfunction – such as Viagra, Cialis or Levtra – could produce better results.
Filed under: Blogroll, Pictorial, beaver, crotch, lifestyle, science
the relevant toxin was extracted….. that sounds scary.
BNASTARD!!! What happened to my warning prior to opening this???!!! The Arachnophobe Extraordinaire.
Insert Black Widow reference here?
Actually, I already have a commercial in mind. Music, maestro!
Monsieur le Baron AerC
Shocking …. you should have turned your Kein-Sheila filter on !!!
Shocked, grieved, grieved indeed
G E
I wonder that those same scientists haven’t considered looking at nursemyra, who has (I can report) induced a similar state in me on more than one occasion. And that without so much as a touch, never mind a bite!
Myra, as a nurse, albeit geriatric, you probably have great experience in extacting toxins. I would suggest that the Baron Blunt may contain many toxins.
Buff, I do sincerely apologise. [guffaw]
Metro, black widow reference? I have a feeling this could totally change the public impression of Spiderman!
Herr el GaeG, What can I say? I erred – but to err is human. I wonder if umming is a sign of humanity as well?
Bill, nursemyra is indeed a priapic phenomena. I often polevault away from her blog.
I shall try to look upon them more kindly in future, now that I know what a useful job they might do…
What’s next? This could actually be a bad thing for the spiders, though. Kinda like poaching grizzly bears for their gall bladders to sell on the Chinese black market as an aphrodesiac.
This was also one of my ‘weird news stories’ over on my blog … and it is seriously weird.
I mean, are there actually that many men out there who have so little imagination that when they can’t *get it up* they do nothing else at all?
Gosh, next we’ll be thinking that men are just a buncha selfish take-what-they-can-getters …
Litlove, as a mere male, I dare not comment
WC, I feel arachnids may be more resilient to human depradations than bears. However, I know what you mean and I agree with you!
az, alas it seems you may be right. The younger ones become Catholic Priests and spend their lives telling the rest of us we shouldn’t! As for men being a buncha selfish take-what-they-can-getters – How could you possibly harbour such a mistaken idea?
[...] I conducted a room search to check that no spiders have been milked in my absence. Dr. Do-Able had an ancient bottle of elixir that I was unable to [...]
in Germany and then in the United States
paxil, well done! You have out-crypticed me!