Naturally Occurring Viagra: Venom From The Banana Spider Might Be The Answer

The market for products treating male ED has expanded rapidly over the past two decades, with a number of pharmaceutical products promising to remedy the problem. Even so, it’s estimated that 1 in 3 men actually are not helped by any of the major drugs currently on the market. There are also those who can’t afford the cost for these drugs, or simply don’t want to take drugs that are not natural. Natural remedies for treating ED have been around for almost as long as man has, but there are some that make you stop and ask, really?

First it was a vampire caterpillar fungus growing in the Himalyan mountains (which the harvesting of is causing environmental destruction). Now comes word of another possible natural, albeit outrageous, treatment: venom from a highly poisonous South American spider.

Gentlemen, Meet the Banana Spider

Commonly found in central South America, the banana spider is a unique breed of arachnid whose venom is known to cause a number of serious effects on those who have been bitten by it. Tremors, excessive salivation, and shortness of breath, are three of the primary effects of a banana spider bite. Beyond that, though, men who have been bitten by the spider suffer from long and painful erections. A bite from this spider is no joke, as many humans have died from its bite.

But it’s that last effect of its venom which has piqued the curiosity of scientists and medical professionals. The spider’s bite is closely associated with prolonged erections. Scientists in the U.S. and Brazil have been able to extract a toxin from the spider’s venom, labelled PnTx2-6 ,which triggers the release of high levels of nitric oxide in humans – one of the keys to promoting excellent blood circulation.

Could it Be Effective? So Far, a Reason to Be Hopeful

Scientists have been testing the effects of the extracted PnTx2-6 on elderly rodents for some time with a surprising amount of success. That bodes well for human sufferers of erectile dysfunction, who might someday be able to leverage the banana spider’s venom as a more natural way to treat their ailment.

Until then, however, male members of the human race will have to settle for what is currently available on both the pharmaceutical and natural markets. If history is any indicator, it won’t be long before people around the world are clamoring for this newest and innovative way of treating ED.

Image Credit: Thomas Shahan via Creative Commons