In the wake of the opioid epidemic that’s sweeping across our country, you can guarantee that doctors and other members of the medical industry are reaching a point of desperation. After all, more and more people seem to be falling victim to opioid use disorder (with many more dying as a result), so our healthcare professionals are definitely scrambling to find something to help the public. However, did you ever think that one promising medication for opioid addicts would be snake venom? According to a new study, scientists have speculated that the milk of death squeezed from rattlesnakes and other creepy crawlies could actually prove to be beneficial. How is this the case? Let’s take a closer look and find out some more information.
Deadly, Deadly Poison
As strange as this may sounds, scientists have recently speculated that venom from snakes and spiders (specifically tarantulas) could be an effective alternative painkiller. Even more interesting, this “venom drug” could potentially be more effective than traditional opioids, which have proven to be a bit of a problem in the past two decades (putting it mildly). Needless to say, we humans wouldn’t be running out of a supply any time soon. Roughly 20 million types of venom are produced by an estimated 150,000 animal species around the world.
Calling Dr. Rattlesnake
At this point you may be trying to consider how this could ever happen. After all, snakes and spiders use their venom to kill (not injure) their prey. How could chemicals that destroy nerve endings (causing paralysis) or destroy blood vessels, actually help humans? Simply put, doctors are standing by the fact that the same destructive chemicals could be synthesized to treat health problems associated with the affected systems.
This process is commonly referred to as toxicology, and it is not a new practice. As far back as 1981, one venom-based medication was approved by the FDA and is still used to treat high blood pressure to this day. Specifically, the drug was synthesized from the venom of a Brazilian pit viper. Since that time, the FDA has continued to approve a string of toxic medications. Could we actually be on the brink of alternative painkillers from Dr. Rattlesnake or Nurse Spider? All we have to do is wait and see what happens.
Seeking Treatment for Opioid Addiction
Opioids are extremely potent and dangerous drugs that have a high risk for abuse and addiction and can be particularly dangerous for both adults and teens alike. However, in the case of drugs like carfentanil and fentanyl, the risks can reach deadly new heights. Given the potency of these opioids, people can easily drop dead after inhaling a small portion of these powders. Needless to say, the Opioid Crisis will only continue to blossom if these drugs keep spreading.
Are you suffering from a severe case of opioid addiction? Do you have a friend or a family member who is coping with one of these issues, as well? On both accounts, get in touch with Asana Recovery today. Our professional team of counselors and healthcare experts will help you endure the painful process of withdrawal and detox and guide you along the rocky road of rehabilitation. Soon enough, you will experience a faster and much more efficient recovery.
If you want to find out more about our residential treatment or supervised detoxification/withdrawal programs or enroll in one of these programs today, we are ready and waiting to speak with you at your leisure and your disclosure. Call Asana now at (949) 438-4504 to learn how you can overcome your mental illness and take an extra step towards overcoming the Opioid Crisis.
