Ant Venom: A Potential Breakthrough for Chronic Pain Relief

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Venom Rx

Ants may be the key to treating pain. West African ant venom’s uniquely sinister path to pain sheds light on potential therapies.

• Their venom peptide, Ta3a, binds to nerve cell sodium channels

• Attracting negative ions and repelling positive ones

• Hijacking the channel to constantly fire pain signals

Most arthropod venoms target multiple sodium channels and diffuse rather than take over signaling. Harnessing venom peptide’s hijacking capabilities could lead to better treatment for patients suffering from chronic pain. And a cool Marvel origin story.

Anty Venom

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