Take two scorpion pills and call me in the morning

Research at Tel Aviv University suggests that natural compounds found in the venom of scorpions may act as painkillers. Michael Gurevitz, a professor at Tel Aviv University's Department of Plant Sciences, is developing compounds that mimic the toxins of the Israeli yellow scorpion. One effect of scorpion toxin is the targeting and inhibition of sodium channels, some of which are involved in pain reception. Gurevitz suggests that studying this mechanism can lead to the development of efficient painkillers.

Mammals have nine different sodium channels, but only a certain subtype delivers pain to the brain, said Gurevitz in a press release. Researchers may be able to modify the scorpion toxins, thus "making them more potent and specific for certain pain-mediating sodium channels."

Before you think using scorpion poison to treat pain is ludicrous, let Gurevitz remind you that Chinese medicine has used scorpion venom as an analgesic for centuries. Potential applications of dried scorpion powder (quan xie) include headaches, joint pain, and convulsions.

Needless to say, the FDA exists for a reason..