SPIDERS on marijuana are so laid back, they weave just so much of their webs and then ... well, it just doesn't seem to matter any more. On the soporific drug chloral hydrate, they drop off before they even get started.
A spider's skill at spinning its web is so obviously affected by the ups and downs of different drugs that scientists at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Alabama think spiders could replace other animals in testing the toxicity of chemicals.
Different drugs have varying effects on the average arachnid addict. On benzedrine, a well-known upper, the house spider spins its web with great gusto, but apparently without much planning, leaving large holes. On caffeine it seems unable to do more than string a few threads together at random.
http://www.newscientist.com/
| Author(s): | Noever, David A.; Cronise, Raymond J.; Relwani, Rachna A. |
| Abstract: | Method of determining toxicities of chemicals involves recording and analysis of spider-web patterns. Based on observation spiders exposed to various chemicals spin webs that differ, in various ways, from normal webs. Potential alternative to toxicity testing on higher animals. |
| NASA Center: | Marshall Space Flight Center |
| Publication Date: | Apr 1, 1995 |
| Document Source: | National Technology Transfer Center (NTTC), Wheeling, WV http://ntrs.nasa.gov/ |
LSD and THC affect higher brain functions in the neocortex, an area of the brain which spiders lack.
It is highly unlikely that they would react to drugs in the same way people would.
And it is more than likely another hoax "informing us of the Dangers of Marijuana.
