Black mamba bite packs potent painkiller

Study of snake venom in mice reveals potential new strategy for relieving agony

A snakebite may bring on a world of hurt, but a substance found in black mamba venom could actually relieve pain. The finding reveals a new possible approach for pain treatment, researchers report online October 3 in Nature.

SOOTHING VENOM Venom from the black mamba (Dendroaspis polylepis polylepis) could hold the key to new means of pain relief.