Some of the best things in the world are understandably expensive. Unfortunately, most of these pricey items are also important in healthcare. There are several liquids around the world that have proven to be extremely precious yet have a great potential in saving many lives.

Some liquids are simply pricey because of their rarity. However, a few of these elixirs are also considered precious because of the way they are manufactured. Here are the 10 most expensive liquids in the world.

10. Human Blood (Price: $1,500 per gallon)

Most people might consider this a joke. After all, every single living human produces blood by liters on a regular basis. However, there is a valid reason why human blood is so expensive.

Processing donated blood can be a daunting task while shipment and handling can cost hundreds of dollars. It’s certainly ironic that the one thing that keeps humans alive could cost so much.

9. Gamma Hydroxybutyric Acid (GHB) (Price: $2,500 per gallon)

GHB can do a lot of good in a medical setting. It is used as a general anesthetic as well as treatment for narcolepsy, alcoholism, cataplexy, insomnia, and depression. Unfortunately, GHB is better known as the “date rape drug.”

It’s interesting that a naturally occurring neurotransmitter would be so pricey. GHB can also be found in small quantities in beer and wine because it can be produced by fermentation. Nevertheless, it is one of the most expensive liquids you’ll ever find.

8. Black Printer Ink (Price: $2,700 per gallon)

You read that right: black printer ink is more expensive than an actual drug. We probably don’t think too much about how much it would cost to print out a document at the office. However, the ink in each printer costs more than the printer in itself.

It doesn’t matter how cheap your printer is. You will still be spending more on the ink cartridges made specifically for the printer.

7. Mercury (Price: $3,400 per gallon)

It may have been easy to find in old thermometers but mercury is an extremely rare element. The silvery liquid chemical is still being used for medical research because it is a great conductor for electricity.

Ancient Egyptians were certainly aware of how precious mercury can be. The element was often found in tombs that date from 1500 BC. In addition to that, the Chinese believed that it could prolong life and help in maintaining good health.

6. Insulin (Price: $9,400 per gallon)

Diabetes is a common disorder yet the treatment for the medical condition is unbelievably expensive. Although insulin is naturally produced by the body, its synthetic form is one of the priciest liquids in the world.

The price of insulin continues to soar so scientists are looking for a more affordable alternative to treat diabetes. Hopefully, a breakthrough will be announced in the next few years.

5. Chanel No. 5 (Price: $26,000 per gallon)

There is little doubt that Chanel No. 5 is the most famous perfume in history. The fragrance was produced by designer Coco Chanel and chemist Ernest Beaux in 1922.

Chanel herself knew how to market the perfume and turn it into the most coveted fragrance in the world. The designer would reportedly give out a few bottles then claim that there are limited stocks, causing women to buy several bottles at a time.

4. Horseshoe Crab Blood (Price: $60,000 per gallon)

Horseshoe crabs are considered living fossils since they seem to have changed very little in the past 450 million years. However, these marine arthropods are also valued for their milky blue blood that has a unique response to bacterial toxins.

Millions of horseshoe crabs are gathered and bled on a regular basis. However, the harvest of horseshoe crab blood is currently in decline, making the few available gallons skyrocket in price.

3. Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD) (Price: $123,000 per gallon)

LSD is a hallucinogenic drug that became popular in the 1960s. It is also known for being the medication used in the CIA’s controversial program MKUltra. Despite all this, LSD in its liquid form is highly expensive.

Acid doesn’t have any known uses in medicine today. Nevertheless, some scientists have found that LSD has a few positive effects in treating depression, anxiety, and drug dependence.

2. King Cobra Venom (Price: $153,000 per gallon)

A king cobra’s bite can be fatal to elephants. This is how potent the snake’s venom can be and yet, it is one of the most sought-after fluids in the medical world.

The king cobra’s venom contains an interesting protein called ohanin, which can be used as a painkiller. It is reportedly more effective than a dose of morphine.

1. Scorpion Venom (Price: $39,000,000 per gallon)

Scorpions might look scary but they are actually shy creatures that try to avoid human contact. Nevertheless, people still seek out scorpions for their precious venom.

Scorpion venom has several great uses in medicine. It is used for the treatment of multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and inflammatory bowel disease.