Most people, if asked to contemplate a snakebite, would probably imagine a world of pain. But the venoms of snakes are very complex mixtures of chemicals, many of which have unexpected effects on the body. Now, researchers have dug through the contents of venom from the black mamba, and found it contains a potent painkiller, as effective as morphine, but lacking some of the side effects. Black mambas in general have a fearsome reputation. They’re one of the largest poisonous snakes in the world, as well as one of the fastest moving. Read the full story at ARS Technica.