Vampire Diaries: Why The Cure Is So Dangerous

In The Vampire Diaries, the cure for immortality is a double-edged sword; it may make the consumer human, but it is inherently dangerous — and not just because it makes the user mortal. The cure first makes an appearance after the Mikaelsons arrive in Mystic Falls, when Klaus forces Rebekah to admit its existence, stating that a vampire hunter’s map would lead them to it. This is good news for Elena, who never wanted to be a vampire and was constantly hoping for a way back to her old life. However, she is not the only one looking for the cure: Rebekah is also sick of being immortal, and wants to live her life away from her dysfunctional family. Klaus, on the other hand, needs it to protect himself from someone using it against him, while Katharine wants it for leverage.

Being a vampire in the world of Vampire Diaries was seen by some as a curse because the super-strength and immortality came at a significant cost: in addition to the bloodlust that comes with being an undead being, vampires can’t stand sunlight and are unable to have children. Elena, who had always wanted to have children, was unhappy with that trade-off. After numerous fights, deceptions, and alternate dimensions, The Vampire Diaries ended with only two vampires taking the cure and living to tell the tale: Elena and Damon. Although they could finally have a family and live out their mortal lives together, taking the cure did not come without consequences.

The cure is the most dangerous thing that a vampire can take because of several potentially deadly side effects. Taking the cure reverts the vampire back to their mortal state, meaning they no longer have their increased strength and invulnerability. When a vampire becomes mortal, they are once again susceptible to attacks from other immortals — which is the most immediate danger. Secondly, if a vampire takes the cure and is then drained of it, they will revert to their natural age, so if one has lived as a vampire for an extended period, they will age quickly and die — this is what happened to Elena’s doppelgänger Katherine. Furthermore, other vampires seeking the cure, which is incredibly rare, can acquire it by draining the blood of someone who has been cured — making anyone who has taken the cure a target.

By the time Elena and Damon took the cure in season 6, neither were used to being human and vulnerable, which made the experience that much more perilous. They are accustomed to having vampire strength, the power to compel, and the ability to heal from any injury (as long as it didn’t involve the heart). As humans, they could be easily overpowered by vampires. Vervain would protect them from being compelled, but otherwise they would have to rely on moving quickly and skillfully to avoid attacks. Of the two, Elena may have had an easier time adapting since she hadn’t been a vampire for very long, whereas Damon hadn’t been human for 153 years, and likely had a more difficult time adjusting. Damon was also at a higher risk of being killed because of his age: since he outlived a normal human lifespan, he would age rapidly and die if the cure was taken from his blood.

The Vampire Diaries demonstrated that there are many vampires who would take the cure if they could find it, which puts anyone who has it in danger. If multiple vampires discovered that Elena and Damon had the cure, they could flock to Mystic Falls, and attack en masse. Thankfully, the finale of The Vampire Diaries implies that Elena and Damon live out the rest of their lives happily, but it is not known for sure what hardships they faced along the way because of the cure. There is plenty of room for speculation about its impacts, especially what would happen if the Originals took the cure. It is possible that all vampires in the line could become mortal and die, or that nothing happens. As the mythology continues to expand within the franchise, this may mean more questions than answers when it comes to the cure.

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