Does Spider Venom Have Regenerative Powers? Reddit User Claims To Gain Feeling in His Numb Foot After Getting Bitten by the Insect

Spider venom is a cocktail of many chemicals of which some are neurotoxins that can kill or immobilize other insects by attacking their nervous systems, per Chemistry Hall. Meanwhile, others are cytotoxins that help break down the tissue so spiders can ingest their liquefied meal. Likewise, it can be seriously toxic to people.

However, one Reddit user shared his experience of being bitten by one of the most venomous spiders in the world. He seems to have an opposite experience than what is typically expected after getting bitten by them and injected with venom.

Reddit User Claims to Regain Nerve Function After Spider Bite

Reddit user u/campingskeeter shared in r/spiderbro that he had a major foot surgery 10 years ago that left him losing sensation in two of his toes. But that was until a "friendly" brown recluse spider bit his foot where nerve endings were cut off. The next morning, he immediately felt his toes.

Of course, his statement was met with skepticism from other users as the spider he mentioned is not native to Oregon where the poster is currently based, and most spiders do not bite a human unprovoked. But his story opened the question of could spider venom really restored nerve function.

According to Newsweek, brown recluse spiders are one of the most venomous spiders in North America, particularly in the central and southern US. Although they do not bite unprovoked, it is possible that they could get caught up in bedding or clothes in which they could be perceived as a threat.

The initial bite could be painless but the effects of the venom could take place after several hours. Symptoms could include pain, swelling, nausea, and fever. Blisters on the bite area may also develop, and can cause tissue death in rare cases.

In the Reddit user's case, Professor Irina Vetter from the University of Queensland who studies pain and the therapeutic applications of animal venom explained that the results were unlikely due to the spider bite.

She told Newsweek that the claim is medically and scientifically unsubstantiated and that it is hard to comment on what exactly happened or did not happen.

Therapeutics Found in Animal Venom

Vetter explained that venoms are rich in bioactive compounds that target the sensory system and the substance called "nerve growth factor" was originally found in snake venom. It is widely used in today's medicine, especially in wound healing, and researchers are working on developing other therapeutics based on this molecule.

Animal venoms are complex substances in which many drugs manufactured today are based on the chemical they contain. Some examples include the blockbuster antihypertensive drug captopril and the anti-diabetic drug exenatide. Captopril is derived from the deadly Brazilian viper's (Bothrops jararaca) venom.

Aside from the medical uses of animal venoms, they also have other important clinical applications. According to an article in Open Mind, they are also used as models for synthesizing new molecules, as diagnostic tools, and as a cosmetic treatments.

For cosmetics, the most common application is botulinum toxin or Botox taken from the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. Another less common application is Argiotoxin-636, which is isolated from the venom of the spider Argiope lobata, that is used for skin whitening and depigmentation treatments.

Check out more news and information on Venom in Science Times.