Is Scorpion Venom the Most Expensive Venom on Earth?

There are some crazy claims out there about scorpion venom and its cost. Often called one of the most expensive liquids in the world, scorpion venom is extremely difficult to obtain. Scorpion venom is incredibly important in medicine, creating demand for the product. This Instagram post by @hashem.alghaili states that a gallon can cost around $38 million, a staggering and baffling number. Read here to learn how much scorpion venom costs and why it is so expensive.

Is Scorpion Venom That Expensive?

Part of the reason the cost mentioned in the post is so high is for dramatic effect, but it may still be a realistic estimate. Getting your hands on a gallon’s worth of venom is practically impossible since most vials are sold by the milligram or gram. Presenting the value as a theoretical total, such as a gallon, definitely attracts more attention. So, how much might scorpion venom cost? The cost depends on many different factors, such as location and species of scorpion. A typical price for a gram of venom may range from $8,000 to $12,000, making it extremely expensive. If a seller could accumulate a full gallon of venom, the post’s estimate of $38 million would be realistic.

Scorpions yield only a minimal amount of venom, making it difficult to collect in the first place. A scorpion produces only a few milligrams per extraction, meaning it can take hundreds or thousands of extractions to gather a large amount, such as a gallon. Part of the reason the venom is so expensive is the mix of peptides and proteins it contains. The neurotoxins and enzymes are beneficial to medicine, specifically in researching cancer treatments, painkillers, and antimicrobial studies. The post above exaggerates the number of compounds in scorpion venom. While the venom is chemically complex, scientific estimates suggest it contains between 200 and 500 different peptides, along with other proteins and molecules—not millions of distinct compounds.

Who Buys Scorpion Venom?

Scorpion venom is definitely not something on our everyday shopping lists, so who actually buys it? This venom is primarily bought by scientific and medical research labs. Pharmaceutical companies study the venom peptides as drug leads to treat pain and autoimmune diseases. Labs and universities may also buy the venom for similar medical research purposes. There is some use outside of these areas, such as in cosmetics. Extracts from scorpion venom can sometimes be found in anti-aging serums and face masks, but it remains a luxury, high-end ingredient.