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I hear this talk of the "risks of deet". it's been around and tested for something like 40 years and there is no evidence of harm (except to mosquitoes!).


The problem with DEET is that although it is an undoubtedly an effective insect repellent (but not the most effective) there is evidence to show its harmful effects. There may not be any deaths officially attributed directly to DEET (although there is some debate about its association with gulf war one syndrome, which itself officially doesn't exist either apparently). Just because its been in use for more than 40 years doesn't mean much either because it is very difficult to produce a medical study whereby diffuse brain cell death from its use 40 year prior to getting Alzheimer's disease is quite a challenging one to produce statistically.

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In tests where rats were exposed to DEET, it was found to kill cells in areas of the brain that control muscle coordination and cognition, the researcher noted that 'Damage to these areas could result in problems with muscle coordination, muscle weakness, walking, or even memory and cognition.'

Any target shooters out there, I wonder if DEET would make a difference to your performance?