How is snake venom used as a recreational drug?

Context: According to media reports, snake venom is frequently used as a recreational substance and its illegal trade amounts to a lucrative industry worth millions of dollars.

Key finding about the news:

• The police found 20 ml of snake venom, five cobras, a python, 2 two-headed snakes, and a rat snake in the possession of the suspect.
• According to media reports, snake venom is frequently used as a recreational drug and is being smuggled in a lucrative illegal industry worth millions of dollars. 
• In November 2022, the Border Security Force (BSF) confiscated a jar holding 2.14 kg of snake venom in the Dakshin Dinajpur district of West Bengal. The seized venom was estimated to be worth Rs 17 crore in the global market.
• There is a lack of scientific research on the recreational use of snake venom, as stated in a study published in the Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine in 2018.

About Snake venom:

• Snake venom is a dangerous substance produced by snakes, which helps them capture and digest their prey as well as protect themselves from danger. 
  • It is injected into victims through specialised fangs or can be spat out by certain snake species.
• The glands that produce animal toxins are derived from the parotid salivary glands found in other vertebrates. 
• They are typically located on the sides of the head, below and behind the eye, and are enclosed in a muscular covering. 
• The venom is stored in large glands called alveoli and then transported through a duct to the base of fangs, which are used to deliver the venom.
• Venom is composed of over 20 different compounds, predominantly proteins and polypeptides.

How is snake venom consumed?

The intention was to have snakes bite either the feet or tongues of consumers, with cobras and Indian kraits being the most frequently employed for this practice.

How does snake venom affect the human body?

• After being bitten by a snake, the individual experienced twitching, vision problems, and unconsciousness. 
• They also felt a heightened state of alertness and happiness, along with a sense of superiority and excessive sleepiness, which lasted for several weeks.
• However, when the effects of the snake bite subsided, they felt irritated, lacking energy, and had intense cravings for drugs.

Why does snake venom give a high?

• The reason why snake venom can cause analgesia, or the loss of pain sensation, might be because of its neurotoxic properties.
• Cobra venom contains a neurotoxin that attaches to nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in the brain, which are responsible for creating feelings of pleasure or reward.
• After the venom enters the bloodstream, it releases certain chemicals like serotonin that have various psychological effects such as inducing sleep and relaxation.

Why is using snake venom as a recreational drug dangerous?

• According to a study in 2018, no deaths were reported from the consumption of snake venom, likely because the individuals consumed small amounts. 
• However, it is unclear what quantity of venom is deadly for humans.
• Experts warn that using snake venom for recreational purposes can result in both addiction and potentially fatal consequences.

Source: Indian Express

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