Venom question

[ChrisS]

I have heard that people who exposed to venom whether snake or any other animals, the longer time around these creatures the higher chance of an extreme reaction to the venom. Is there some truth to this and if so why? Why wouldn't the longer you are exposed to the creature the more tolerant you become?

[heathers*bps]

I would think it would make you more tolerant.

I've heard of those few people who injected themselves with low low doses of venom to up their tolerance. And from what I've heard it worked, but don't quote me on it.

[ChrisS]

I would think it would make you more tolerant.

I've heard of those few people who injected themselves with low low doses of venom to up their tolerance. And from what I've heard it worked, but don't quote me on it.

^^^ This was my initial thought. But after talking to a friend who keeps venomous snakes and him stating the above I started to be curious. Then after being stung by yellow jacket and having a more serious reaction than ever before it made me wonder even more. And the only venom I've heard being injected is neurotoxic so does it depend on the type of venom as well?

[Andybill]

^^^ This was my initial thought. But after talking to a friend who keeps venomous snakes and him stating the above I started to be curious. Then after being stung by yellow jacket and having a more serious reaction than ever before it made me wonder even more. And the only venom I've heard being injected is neurotoxic so does it depend on the type of venom as well?

I too have heard of some folks injecting themselves but they are all neurotoxic. Thats a good point. I wonder if a person who has built up a tolerance for neurotoxic venom has ever tried this with hemotoxic (not sure if I spelled that right). I could see it going over much worse than neurotoxic. However I have never heard of people who are exposed to venomous snakes developing more serious reactions the longer they are exposed. Of course I dont have any venomous snake handling experience so my opinion isnt really all that valuable....

[youbeyouibei]

http://www.venomousreptiles.org/articles/97

Great article that explains it better and in more scientific terms than I've seen most anywhere else. As to whether or not you could develop a "tolerance" to a neruo versus a hemotoxin...I really couldn't say. I know there is research being conducted into using the protein compounds in various venoms for treatment of nerve damage as well as heart/cardio issues, etc., among other things. One of my family members worked on the team for Eli Lilly that isolated the compound in Gila monster venom to develop a new drug to treat Type II diabetes, so who knows what could be done with some of the compounds in venom and/or how it would work on the human body in controlled doses? Pretty fascinating, you ask me.

[ChrisS]

http://www.venomousreptiles.org/articles/97

Great article that explains it better and in more scientific terms than I've seen most anywhere else. As to whether or not you could develop a "tolerance" to a neruo versus a hemotoxin...I really couldn't say. I know there is research being conducted into using the protein compounds in various venoms for treatment of nerve damage as well as heart/cardio issues, etc., among other things. One of my family members worked on the team for Eli Lilly that isolated the compound in Gila monster venom to develop a new drug to treat Type II diabetes, so who knows what could be done with some of the compounds in venom and/or how it would work on the human body in controlled doses? Pretty fascinating, you ask me.

Thanks for that link, it was very informative and made more sense than I expected. I read a recent article that copperhead venom was being tested on lab rats to treat cancer. And they were having success. Here's the link http://mobile.omg-facts.com/Science/...ld-Reduc/51599