5 Things You Didn't Know You Could Use Sperm For

5 Things You Didn't Know You Could Use Sperm For

By Tatyana Dyachenko

Sperm isn't usually considered to be the most versatile bodily fluid by any means it's smelly, it's often seen as messy, and most people prefer to catch it in a condom and dispose of it rather than save it for later use. However, that's not the case for some uninhibited people who've discovered that semen can be used for all manner of interesting tasks. Here are five of the strangest:

You can use sperm for cooking

No, you didn't read that incorrectly. Yes, it is that gross. Fotie Photenhauer has written a book about the nutritious values of sperm, boasting that it has 'a wonderful texture and amazing cooking properties.' Aside from having many versatile properties that make for rich desserts and unusual taste combinations, 'semen,' Fotie claims, 'is inexpensive to produce and is commonly available in many, if not most, homes and restaurants.'

You can paint with sperm

Martin Von Ostrowski is a German born artist who is famous for pioneering the movement to paint with sperm. Certainly an affordable alternative to traditional paint, sperm creates an unusual and eerie yet distinctly visible veneer on top of a dark canvas. Martin's been painting with sperm since 1988 and has caused quite a ruckus in the art community. As he needs to produce all of his pigments naturally, he regularly collects sperm (his own, and his friends') and he freezes it for when inspiration strikes.

You can have a rejuvenating sperm facial

No kidding. Scientists have discovered that spermine, one of the main ingredients in sperm, is rich in anti oxidants and is proven to slow down ageing and help prevent acne. They've found out how to synthesise spermine in a controlled scientific environment which means that it is readily available to spas and beauty product manufacturers without any awkward production chains. You can treat yourself to a sperm facial at NYC's Townhouse Spa for around $250 and you'll enjoy an hour long facial with a ten minute spermine application.

You can use sperm as invisible ink

It's true. MI6 revealed that sperm was used as invisible ink during the First World War. Walter Kirke, deputy head of military intelligence, recorded in his diary that semen was found to have fantastic invisible ink properties and did not react to the usual detection methods that gave so many of the nation's secrets away. It's just pure hilarious coincidence that the man who discovered this was Mansfield Cumming; you couldn't have hoped for a better name! It was also discovered that only fresh sperm can be used to protect secrets: old sperm tended to have a distinctly sour and unpleasant smell which was easily detected.

You can use semen as a hair product

Cameron Diaz made hair styling history when she inadvertently used sperm as a hair product in the film 'There's something about Mary'. It inspired London based hair stylist Hari Salem to follow in her footsteps. After much investigation and testing, he determined that bull semen was the best on the market. 'I have been searching for an organic product with a lot of protein because that is what hair is made of and lacks when it is dry,' Hari said. 'It really works. The semen is refrigerated before use and doesn't smell. It leaves your hair looking wonderfully soft and thick.'