Which spider's venom is being studied for treating erectile dysfunction?

The Brazilian wandering spider is the spider whose venom is being studied for treating erectile dysfunction.

The species most often identified is Phoneutria nigriventer, one of the Brazilian wandering spiders, also called armed spiders. Its venom contains peptides such as PnTx2-6, which can affect ion channels and stimulate nitric-oxide pathways involved in relaxing smooth muscle and increasing blood flow.

Researchers have observed erection-related effects in animal studies, including experiments involving mice and rats. The phenomenon is linked to priapism, a prolonged and often painful erection that can occur after severe envenomation. Scientists have used the active venom components as starting points for modified compounds intended to be safer and more practical than raw venom.

This is experimental pharmacology, not an approved venom-based replacement for sildenafil or other standard treatments. The spider is also frequently confused with funnel-web spiders because both have medically important neurotoxic venoms, but the erectile-function research specifically concerns Phoneutria toxins.