Latrodectus Mactans

[quote]nwaextreme wrote:
Zap Branigan wrote:
How much protein is in them?

The most intelligent question in this entire thread…
A news article just came out about the Latrodectus Mactans and its long history with farmers in South America.
As it turns out, the protein in the venom had been said to give these bitten farmers amplified masculinity and virility. So researchers have now proven this and are trying to market a modified version for a male sexual aide and also for its spermicidal properties.

Am just curious as to how this same protein would affect intense training. I dont quite understand how the protein works physically but it most certainly is affecting the nervous system and blood pressure to some degree.
If anyone is a chemist and can step in please let me know.

I googled for the venom of this particular spider and found the venom for sale in a couple of different locations. One sells an expensive pure extract from this spider, shipped in dry ice and another e-store sells it in a more stable, though likely a much weaker form, as a homeopathic remedy.

Not to infer that the whole Hulk thing is possible, but could this be a potential supplement? I would try some small doses but would wonder how, if taken orally, it would affect the liver.
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I’d heard about the goat silk transgenic thing, but this is kinda new. Maybe vaguely heard something about this, but thought it was a rumor. Interesting. It would help if you got a source or names of the researchers.

[quote]DF85 wrote:
are there wolf spiders in PA? A couple years ago I walked down the hall to find a HUGE spider face level on the wall. It was not as thick as a tarantula (sp) but seriously twice as long. Ever since than I get crepped out when I run in to a spider. In fact I just got the chills from the pics on here haha[/quote]

Oh yes, there are wolf spiders in PA.

[quote]Molotov_Coktease wrote:
sikunt wrote:
we flipped the rock over and it charged at us. My cousin stepped on it, get this, it actually fucking squealed! I’ll never forget that noise as long as I live.

I believe you…the same happens when you step on a potato bug, the most hideous bug known to man.

Some good and informative Q and A on Potato Bugs:

Q: What other names are Potato Bugs known by?
A: The common Potato Bug is also known as the Jerusalem cricket. Our Native American friends call him ?Woh-tzi-Neh? (Old Bald-Headed Man). In Latin America, he?s ?ni?a de la tierra? (child of the earth). Other names include: Satan’s fetus, the Devil’s spawn, the Devil’s child, the Devil’s baby, the Devil’s fetus, evil fetus, bald devil fetus, bald fetus of Satan, and earth fetus.

Q: Do potato bugs bite?
A: They gnaw.

Q: Why are potato bugs so ugly and frightening? Why do they look part human? Where did they come from?
A: The most widely held belief is that God didn?t create potato bugs. It was Satan?s work. And amongst evolutionists and non-religious types, the consensus is that potato bugs came from outer space.

Q: I have potato bugs in my vegetable garden. How can I rid myself of these pesky critters?
A: Drench your entire yard with gasoline and set it ablaze. Once the fire has burned itself out and the ground has cooled, cultivate the soil to a depth of seven feet, saturate the area with battery acid and top the surface with gasoline. After a few minutes, most of the surviving potato bugs, now irritated, will burrow up for air. Set the yard on fire again, and let it burn itself out. The remaining bugs should be crisped. Add water. Only then, and only maybe, will you rid yourself of potato bugs.

Q: When I sleep, I have recurring dreams about potato bugs. Nightmares, really. Should I be concerned?
A: No. We all have nightmares about potato bugs. Try not to drink alcohol right before bed.

Q: Does alcohol consumption increase the chances of potato bug nightmares?
A: No. Potato bugs are drawn to the smell of alcohol, so when you drink late at night they?re more likely to infest your bed. They may gnaw your cheeks while you sleep, trying to get at the smell of the alcohol on your breath.

Q: I have never even seen a potato bug. Where would I be likely to find one?
A: Consider yourself very lucky, click away from this website, and forget you ever asked that question.

Q: Do potato bugs eat potatoes?
A: Potato bugs eat your cheeks.

Q: I caught a potato bug in a field behind my house, and now its my pet. How do I sex it?
A: Just e-mail us your name and address, and we?ll notify the proper authorities about you. You should be locked up.[/quote]

Do they taste like potatoes?