New Painkiller Possible Because Of Spider
Next time you see a spider crawling in the corner of the room, you might want to think how spiders are really supposed to help you.
(Photo by Rob Stothard/Getty Images)
Scientists looking for a more potent painkiller say spider venom may hold the key. Researchers at Australia's University of Queensland have identified seven compounds in spider venom that block the body's ability to pass pain signals to the brain. They found the compounds by studying 206 species of spider. Of the seven compounds they discovered, they say one is particularly potent and might be used to make a pain drug. The study published in the British Journal of Pharmacology says one-in-five people worldwide suffer from chronic pain, and existing treatments often fail to give sufficient relief.
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