Perhaps the most curious thing about slugs is the potential hidden in their mucus. That sticky substance that bothers us so much contains properties that could be used in medicine and cosmetics.

It has been discovered that it possesses enzymes with regenerative, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory effects. Medical research is already studying its applications to accelerate wound healing.

And speaking of beauty, there’s something interesting: their slime shares components with the famous snail slime, such as hyaluronic acid and antioxidants. This has sparked the interest of laboratories seeking natural ingredients for moisturizers or anti-aging treatments.

A Useful Model for Understanding the Brain

But their story doesn’t end there. Slugs have also been the subject of study in neuroscience. Their nervous system is simple, but it has served as a model for understanding how memory and learning work, key topics in the study of the human brain.

In short

You may never have looked kindly upon a slug, but these inconspicuous creatures have a lot to offer.

They clean the soil, feed other beings, provide useful ingredients, and even serve as allies in science. They may not win a popularity contest, but they deserve our respect and attention. Because nature, once again, shows us that everything has its place and value, even if it doesn’t seem so at first glance.