Toad venom has been around for centuries and has been used, mainly, as a recreational psychedelic drug. The venom itself has a psychedelic agent to it and the taking of toad venom is illegal in the United States but is not in Canada. The chemicals are strong and many of the the toad venom chemicals are found naturally in certain wild plants.
For research scientists in China, however, have been looking at the venom as a possible cure for cancer because of certain cancer killing chemical attributes they have found in the venom. A team at the Macau Institute for Applied Research in Medicine recently published their findings into the investigation of the properties and usefulness to humans of both the toad venom as well as toad skin. Australian researchers have confirmed the cancer fighting agents discovered by the Chinese.
Not only did the Chinese discover the cancer fighting agents in the venom but they noted that the chemicals were extremely powerful ones. The authors go on to write that, “Our research provides valuable chemical evidence for the appropriate processing method, quality control and rational exploration of toad skin and toad venom for the development of anti-cancer medicines.”
The Australians found that the toad venom was killing cancerous prostate cells and the Chinese studied the affects of 56 various steroids found in the venom and the skin of toads. The Australians told Britain’s The Guardian newspaper that they could produce a venom mixture but that it tastes terrible. The Australian studies so intrigued the Chinese that they contacted the Australians and asked if they could be sent the specific cane toads used because they are only native to Australia.
The cane toads are considered a pest in Australia and the researchers noted that the venom can be stretch to provide an almost endless supply. The venom producing toads are found in Colorado in the United States and people still partake of smoking the venom for the psychedelic affects of the brain. It can be smoked, cooked or vaporized for ingestion but can be extremely toxic and fatal if not prepared correctly and more than a few have died from it.
The Chinese have used the venom extracted from plants or thousands of years to treat many afflictions including cancer and the toad venom research looks more than promising to many.
PHOTO CREDIT: National Geographic