Dr Lingueglia said it was "really surprising" that black mamba venom would contain such a powerful painkiller.

BBC: Black mamba venom is 'better painkiller' than morphine

Mexxy was linked to two deaths and police have warned of the "life-threatening effects" of black mamba.

BBC: "Legal highs" mexxy and black mamba banned by government

Crime Prevention Minister Jeremy Browne says black mamba and methoxetamine, often known as mexxy, will be banned.

BBC: "Legal highs" mexxy and black mamba banned by government

The post was signed "Mamba Out, " referring to Bryant's Black Mamba nickname, after the venomous snake, for his ability to strike suddenly on the court.

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Several years ago Bryant was said to be a part investor in boutique Swiss brand Nubeo, which designed (but never commercially released) a Nubeo Black Mamba watch.

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In Liverpool a powerful but legal cannabinoid called black mamba is all the rage, says Russell Newcombe of 3D Research, an independent researcher and consultant in the field.

ECONOMIST: Drug use and abuse

Last month, the government made synthetic cannabinoids, such as those sold under the name Black Mamba and methoxetamine, sold as Mexxy, illegal under the Misuse of Drugs Act.

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And in March, Tory MP Nadhim Zahawi said Warwickshire Police had warned him of black mamba's "life-threatening effects" after a 13-year-old child in his Stratford on Avon constituency took the drug.

BBC: "Legal highs" mexxy and black mamba banned by government

With different names like Annihilation, Black Mamba, Spice, Benzo Fury, Amsterdam Gold, Bombay Blue Extreme, X, Karma, Miaow miaow, Bubble, White Magic, MC, M-Cat, Bounce, and 4-MMC, these types of psychoactive, synthetic equivalents of the traditional recreational drugs are produced and marketed at the rate of more than one a week, rendering existing laws practically useless.

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