Spider venom could be used to treat for chronic pain soon

Researchers are looking into whether venom from the tarantula spider could help relieve chronic pain. — TNS

Using USD1.5mil (RM6.4mil) in funding from the National Institutes of Health, researchers at University of California, Davis, United States, are looking into whether venom from the widely feared tarantula spider could help relieve chronic pain.

"Spiders and scorpions have millions of years of evolution optimising peptide, protein and small-molecule poisons in their venom, which we can take advantage of," said Bruce Hammock, a distinguished professor of entomology who is working on the new pain reliever. "The same venoms that can cause pain and neurological dysfunction can also help nerves work better and reduce pain."