Sacred Haven of Debauchery

Despite the fact that the size of the blue-ringed octopus does not exceed 12–25 cm, the potency of its venom is sufficient to kill a person. Unfortunately, an antidote to the blue-ringed octopus venom has not yet been found. Its venom kills a person 15 minutes after injection.

The venom of the blue-ringed octopus has a neuro-paralytic effect. It contains tetrodotoxin, serotonin, hyaluronidase, tyramine, histamine, tryptamine, octopamine, taurine, acetylcholine, and dopamine. The main neurotoxic component of the venom of blue-ringed octopuses was named maculotoxin, but it was later proven to be tetrodotoxin. This neurotoxin was also found in the venom of pufferfish and cone snails. Tetrodotoxin blocks sodium channels, causing paralysis of the motor parts of the nervous system, respiratory arrest, and, as a result, cardiac arrest due to lack of oxygen. The venom is produced by symbiotic bacteria that live in the octopus's salivary glands.

Tetrodotoxin causes severe, and often complete, paralysis of the body; the victim remains conscious but cannot move.

It is important that assistance continues even if the victim appears to be dead. Tetrodotoxin poisoning leads to a state in which the victim is fully aware of what is happening, can see and hear, but is unable to move or breathe. Due to paralysis, they have no way to signal the need for help. Artificial respiration until the arrival of medical personnel and subsequent hospitalization gives good chances of subsequent recovery.

The blue-ringed octopus, despite its small size, contains enough venom to kill 26 adult humans in a few minutes. In addition, their bites are small and often painless. Many victims were unaware that they had been attacked until the first signs of poisoning appeared.