May 23, 2008
Man Dies After Eating Banned Aphrodisiac
A 35-year-old man died this week after ingesting a small chunk of an illegal aphrodisiac made from toad venom. According to the AP, the unidentified victim went to the hospital complaining of chest and abdominal pains; doctors identified the problem but were unable to treat him and he died after two days!
Health officials say his death was caused by a hardened resin, made partly from venom collected from toads of the Bufo genus, which contains chemicals called “bufadienolides” known to disrupt heart rhythms. The aphrodisiac is supposed to be applied topically, not eaten, but authorities warn that even that use can be harmful.
The substance, purchased by the man at a neighborhood shop, is called “Piedra,” but it’s also sold at sex shops as Love Stone, Jamaican Stone, Black Stone and Chinese Rock. Though banned by the FDA, it often slips through customs, and health officials are urging people to watch out for it. Dr. Robert Hoffman, director of the city's poison control center, told the AP, “There is no definitely safe way to use it. Don't buy it. Don't sell it. If you have it, don't use it. Throw it out.”
Photo courtesy NYC Department of Health.
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This is so sad. Just so sad.
they need to release the name of this man so his family can be shamed and ridiculed. I'm laughing but I would laugh a whole lot harder if the man wasn't anonymous.
Did he achieve a full "rigormortis"?
Why would you want to shame and ridicule his family? They did nothing to deserve your scorn.
Fox is reporting that there were four similar deaths in NYC in the 1990s due to this stuff.
PROOF there is a dog/i mean god
where's al sharpton?
Good Lord. The things people think will be conducive to sex. VENOM??? Duh! Thats poison, idiots!
#4- Just because they don't deserve it doesn't mean they shouldn't vicariously feel it by association
I think if you're desperate, anything can be turned into an aphrodisiac.
That being said, if you run around the bed four times, then you'll get laid twice a day. Try! Free! No charge!
that's a chunk of toad venom in that picture? can you smoke it?
wow.
better call lando griffin.
My husband has tried just about evey "aphrodisiac" and sexual aid known to man.
I'm sure he has "Love Rocks" in his man cave somewhere.
Knowing him ,though, he'd probably try to make his own from the toads that live in our Clubhouse's sauna, cheapskate that he is.
I am going to plaster this article on the door of his man cave right now!