# Less bug bites, lower IQ: DEET is a neurotoxin

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/less-bug-bites-lower-iq-deet-is-a-neurotoxin/505676>\
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\
**Created:** [August 7, 2009, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/less-bug-bites-lower-iq-deet-is-a-neurotoxin/505676 "2009-08-07T18:59:44Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\
**Post date:** [August 8, 2009, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/less-bug-bites-lower-iq-deet-is-a-neurotoxin/505676/21 "2009-08-08T02:40:59Z")

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This no doubt explains some of my odder quirks. It’s drummed into everyone over here to use only DEET sprays or else die from malaria or other vector-borne diseases.

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**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\
**Post date:** [August 8, 2009, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/less-bug-bites-lower-iq-deet-is-a-neurotoxin/505676/22 "2009-08-08T02:41:38Z")

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Strictly speaking, neurotoxins don’t make you stupid. They are far more likely to affect the connections between your brain and your limbs/organs/muscles. So it’s not such a bad choice. By the time it has affected you so much that you can’t put it on, you probably won’t be able to feel the little buggers anyway.

The bad point is that most neurotoxins build up and are never cleaned out of your system. The first major symptom of the buildup getting to dangerous levels is: itching. Severe, all over, itching.

So there’s that to contend with.

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**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\
**Post date:** [August 8, 2009, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/less-bug-bites-lower-iq-deet-is-a-neurotoxin/505676/23 "2009-08-08T02:50:21Z")

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> [@C3](#):
>
> We use [BioUD](http://www.homs.com/products/bioud%C2%AE_bioud%C2%AE-clothing-treatment--insect-repellent-16.9-oz-trigger-spray.html), which is made from an [extract from tomatoes](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2-Undecanone). [It’s been shown](http://www.bioud.com/Documents/HOMSfinalreport2006.pdf) to be as effective as DEET in the short term and more effective than DEET for longer periods of time.

That would be FANTASTIC - except I’m allergic to tomatoes. As in, if I brush up against a tomato plant I get a rash like poison ivy. I’ll stick with DEET, thank you, it’s still less likely to send me to the ER on any given day.

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