Poisonous scorpions may give us the creeps, but the venom inside their tail may one day hold the key to an alternative to morphine, which can be not only dangerous, but addictive. New painkillers derived from natural chemicals found in scorpion venom have been found to be effective for certain specific areas of the body with little to no side effects.

The basis for painkiller is a peptide found in the venom that interacts with sodium channels in the muscles and nerves. These are the same pathways that are responsible for signaling pain to the brain. The hope is to modify the toxins in a way that makes them specific for the pain signaling channels, thus providing relief by blocking them.

The specific scorpion in question is the Israeli yellow scorpion, which happens to be one of the most dangerous scorpions in the world. The complex venom is known to contain hundreds of proteins, most of which have never been thoroughly studied, and have evolved to specifically target different species, including mammals and other insects. Because of this diversity, it offers the potential to be genetically manipulated into a number of effective therapeutic agents.

Utilizing the process of “biomimicry,” scientists hope to manufacture medicines that derive their efficacy by mimicking the active compounds in the venom, thus using nature as a model in the creation of effective medicines that are devoid of side effects

This, in turn, could address one of the most pressing issues in medicine: pain management. Pain is an important biological indicator to a problem in our bodies, yet must be addressed in order to properly treat the patient. To date, opiate based medications have been the most effective, but come with a variety of risks, including overdosing and addiction. Consequently, the medical community is continually searching for an alternative.

Pain is an inescapable fact of medicine, and presents some of the biggest challenges to doctors. Pain can be either a momentary situation or a chronic condition that can cause suffering over a prolonged period of time. Pain can occur anywhere in the body, and can result from injury or illness. Sometimes, the source is difficult to identify

Regardless of the source or location, pain management is an important course of action, and a patients options depend on the location and severity. While minor pain an easily be treated with over the counter (OTC) medication, more serious conditions might require the use of more powerful intervention, including surgery and opiate based drugs. These, of course, come with their own potential problems.

The key first step is identifying the source and level of pain, and then basing treatment on that information. If you are experiencing pain that, speak with your doctor about the best treatment options. For more information about pain management, visit WebMD.