As a person who has suffered mild envenomation from a Broad-banded Copperhead (Agkistrodon laticinctus) I am disappointed to report no enlightenment beyond the obvious: handling venomous serpents can be perilous. My overly concern at not injuring the snake caused me to be nicked by one fang on the tip of my right middle finger while relocating a small copperhead I found on a trail (I call this my channeling Steve Irwin moment). It was extremely painful and resulted in a small amount of tissue damage at the location of the bite and some minor lasting numbness. I do not recall any even mildly hallucinogenic feelings or strange dreams, just intense pain in my finger and hand.
I was treated with a very short course of antivenom which as it turns out I am allergic (a common occurrence) and broke out in hives. I was subsequently administered intravenous Benadryl whose effect was immediate as I watched the hives disappear in just seconds, easily the most surreal event of the experience.
I should note that like most North American pit vipers the copperhead’s venom is primarily hemotoxic that is destructive to blood and tissue so it would not be expected to have significant neurological effects. A neurotoxic venom such as that of cobras or their North American relative, the coral snake might under some circumstances result in an altered state. I do recall reading an account of a zoo keeper who after being envenomated by a large cobra describing the perfect serenity he felt as he watched his colleague rush about frantically to save his life. Fortunately for him they were successful at administering cobra antivenom prior to the venom disabling the nerves controlling his diaphragm (see "The Keeper And The Kept" by Carl Kauffeld; pages 83-86).
I’m along for the rabbit hole ride. This isn’t a peer reviewed publication, it’s a place for wild theories to be entertained and discussed. It takes gumption to put a complete product out there. Building the whole Jenga tower yourself is how it was in the good old days, and it’s what you have to do if you want to inject any new ideas into the modern scientific bloodstream. I eagerly await more and wilder posts!
As a person who has suffered mild envenomation from a Broad-banded Copperhead (Agkistrodon laticinctus) I am disappointed to report no enlightenment beyond the obvious: handling venomous serpents can be perilous. My overly concern at not injuring the snake caused me to be nicked by one fang on the tip of my right middle finger while relocating a small copperhead I found on a trail (I call this my channeling Steve Irwin moment). It was extremely painful and resulted in a small amount of tissue damage at the location of the bite and some minor lasting numbness. I do not recall any even mildly hallucinogenic feelings or strange dreams, just intense pain in my finger and hand.
I was treated with a very short course of antivenom which as it turns out I am allergic (a common occurrence) and broke out in hives. I was subsequently administered intravenous Benadryl whose effect was immediate as I watched the hives disappear in just seconds, easily the most surreal event of the experience.
I should note that like most North American pit vipers the copperhead’s venom is primarily hemotoxic that is destructive to blood and tissue so it would not be expected to have significant neurological effects. A neurotoxic venom such as that of cobras or their North American relative, the coral snake might under some circumstances result in an altered state. I do recall reading an account of a zoo keeper who after being envenomated by a large cobra describing the perfect serenity he felt as he watched his colleague rush about frantically to save his life. Fortunately for him they were successful at administering cobra antivenom prior to the venom disabling the nerves controlling his diaphragm (see "The Keeper And The Kept" by Carl Kauffeld; pages 83-86).
I’m along for the rabbit hole ride. This isn’t a peer reviewed publication, it’s a place for wild theories to be entertained and discussed. It takes gumption to put a complete product out there. Building the whole Jenga tower yourself is how it was in the good old days, and it’s what you have to do if you want to inject any new ideas into the modern scientific bloodstream. I eagerly await more and wilder posts!
So far, snakes, drugs, consciousness, hallucinogens, and now beer. What will the next be?? Waiting for chocolate I guess.