ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Insects in medicine

Insects are little creatures that have helped doctors and scientists create medicine to help people feel better when they get sick. Insects have special things called "compounds" in their bodies that can be used to make medicine.

For example, ants produce a compound called formic acid that can help relieve pain, and bee venom can help reduce swelling and inflammation. Also, the extract of certain beetles can be used to fight infections, while cockroaches have an antibacterial protein in their bodies that can help heal wounds.

Scientists have been studying and testing these compounds from insects to create medicine that can help people with different illnesses. It's like the insects are little helpers that give us the tools we need to make people feel better. Isn't that amazing?