What is tetrodotoxin used for?

Tetrodotoxin has been used clinically to relieve the headache associated with heroin withdrawal.

Where can I get tetrodotoxin?

DESCRIPTION: Tetrodotoxin is an extremely potent poison (toxin) found mainly in the liver and sex organs (gonads) of some fish, such as puffer fish, globefish, and toadfish (order Tetraodontiformes) and in some amphibian, octopus, and shellfish species.

How poisonous is tetrodotoxin?

Toxicity of Tetrodotoxin In human, the lethal dose of tetrodotoxin is around 1 to 2 mg and the minimum dose necessary to cause symptoms has been estimated to be 0.2 mg. The onset of symptoms of tetrodotoxin intoxication usually occurs from 10 to 45 minutes after ingestion, but may be delayed by three hours or more.

What does puffer fish toxin do?

Puffer fish may contain the potent and deadly toxins tetrodotoxin and/or saxitoxin which can cause severe illness and death. These are central nervous system toxins and are more deadly than cyanide. Symptoms start within 20 minutes to 2 hours after eating the toxic fish.

Is tetrodotoxin flammable?

Flammability (solid, gaseous): Product is not flammable.

How tetrodotoxin affect the ion channel?

Tetrodotoxin (TTX) is a potent toxin that specifically binds to voltage gated sodium channels. TTX binding physically blocks the flow of sodium ions through the channel, thereby preventing action potential (AP) generation and propagation. TTX has different binding affinities for different sodium channel isoforms.

Can you hold a puffer fish?

If you come across a pufferfish, it is recommended that they only be handled using thick gloves to avoid contact with the trace amounts of Tetrodotoxin that have been known to be secreted from their bodies. Keeping your hands away from the mouth of a pufferfish is also advised.

How does tetrodotoxin work as a neurotoxin?

Tetrodotoxin (TTX) is a deadly neurotoxin which selectively inhibits Na(+) activation mechanism of nerve impulse, without affecting the permeability of K(+) ions. Because of this sodium channel blocking action, it is majorly being studied for biomedical applications.

Where can you find tetrodotoxin in a fish?

It can be found in several kinds of fish, though the most common cases of human poisoning result from eating the flesh of the pufferfish.

Is it safe to take tetrodotoxin for pain?

Tetrodotoxin (TTX) is a powerful sodium channel blocker that in low doses can safely relieve severe pain. Studying the absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion (ADME) of TTX is challenging given the extremely low lethal dose.

Which is more potent, cyanide or tetrodotoxin?

Tetrodotoxin, also known as tetrodox, is an extremely strong neurotoxin. It is colloquially known as zombie powder, particularly in the voodoo and Haitian cultures. The toxin is several times more potent than cyanide.