The Medical Benefits of Carbon Monoxide

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

The Medical Benefits of Carbon Monoxide

Posted by Soulskill on Saturday October 17, 2009 @05:26AM from the my-garage-is-my-laboratory dept.

tugfoigel writes with this excerpt from the Boston Globe: "For more than a century, carbon monoxide has been known as a deadly toxin. In an 1839 story, Edgar Allan Poe wrote of 'miraculous lustre of the eye' and 'nervous agitation' in what some believe are descriptions of carbon monoxide poisoning, and today, cigarette cartons warn of its health dangers. But a growing body of research, much of it by local scientists, is revealing a paradox: the gas often called a silent killer could also be a medical treatment. It seems like a radical contradiction, but animal studies show that in small, extremely controlled doses the gas has benefits in everything from infections to organ transplantation."

16 of 177 comments (clear)

Min score:

Reason:

Sort:

I've seen this story before! by MillionthMonkey · 2009-10-17 05:29 · Score: 3, Funny

NO!
1. Re:I've seen this story before! by Anonymous Coward · 2009-10-17 05:40 · Score: 5, Funny
  
  NO is nitric oxide, not carbon monoxide.
Consider this... by Anonymous Coward · 2009-10-17 05:31 · Score: 2, Funny

In Soviet Russia, carbon monoxidizes you....
Re:Gee whiz! by wjh31 · 2009-10-17 05:34 · Score: 3, Funny

See, homeopathy works.
You also get synergistic benefit if you... by jeffb+(2.718) · 2009-10-17 05:50 · Score: 3, Funny

...coadminister with tetraethyl lead.
Re:Gee whiz! by Anonymous Coward · 2009-10-17 05:57 · Score: 5, Funny

I can't believe you still use the word 'surf'.
Sweet! by LockeOnLogic · 2009-10-17 06:06 · Score: 2, Funny

Take that you health freaks! I chainsmoke like a chimney, so enjoy your tofu and cancer!!
Small enough or a precise amount? by gmuslera · 2009-10-17 06:43 · Score: 3, Funny

Would not be the only beneficial peak around.
Re:Digitalis, eh? by gyrogeerloose · 2009-10-17 06:45 · Score: 5, Funny

Take iron, for instance. It's an essential trace mineral but drop an anvil on your foot and you're in a world of hurt...

--
This ain't rocket surgery.
Re:Gee whiz! by Anonymous Coward · 2009-10-17 07:28 · Score: 1, Funny

Too true. Even DHMO has many benefits if used responsibly.
(Not an industry shill, just a pragmatist posting anonymously to avoid harassment from anti-DHMO zealots).
Re:Gee whiz! by Anonymous Coward · 2009-10-17 08:12 · Score: 4, Funny

As (arsenic) is also deadly but its also an essential biological trace element. Its about moderation.
That may be true, but there are clearly some very dangerous chemicals like nitroglycerin that couldn't possibly have any medical uses.
Re:not a paradox by Anonymous Coward · 2009-10-17 08:36 · Score: 1, Funny

"benefitial" would be the word
I don't think "benefitial" will ever be a word.
Re:Gee whiz! by jbengt · 2009-10-17 09:45 · Score: 5, Funny

Homeopathy is wrong for two reasons--one, it postulates that chemicals/herbs/medicines that cause a symptom will cure that symptom, . . .

Well, the same ethanol that caused my morning headache seems to have cured it.
Re:Gee whiz! by The+Archon+V2.0 · 2009-10-17 10:12 · Score: 4, Funny

(Not an industry shill, just a pragmatist posting anonymously to avoid harassment from anti-DHMO zealots).
You'd better post anonymously. Crazies like you just love it when people can get DHMO without any sort of oversight. You want them to think they can't live without it! It's bloody dangerous! That crap gets in your lungs and you DIE!
Re:Gee whiz! by JamesP · 2009-10-17 13:07 · Score: 2, Funny

Mod parent down to the depths of Hell.
Homeopathy DOES NOT WORK
Yeah, but Hell doesn't exist as well, so...

--
how long until /. fixes commenting on Chrome?
Cuckoo for CO CO puffs? by bobbuck · 2009-10-17 15:08 · Score: 2, Funny

Does this mean I should be cuckoo for CO CO puffs?