He’s been bitten by snakes hundreds of times. Now scientists are studying his blood
Tim Friede’s exposure to venom from black mambas, cobras and other snakes could hold the key to better treatment for bite victims
Tim Friede has been bitten by snakes hundreds of times – often on purpose. Now scientists are studying his blood in hopes of creating a better treatment for snake bites.
Friede has long had a fascination with reptiles and other venomous creatures. He used to milk scorpions’ and spiders’ venom as a hobby and kept dozens of snakes at his Wisconsin home.
Hoping to protect himself from snake bites – and out of what he calls “simple curiosity” – he began injecting himself with small doses of snake venom and then slowly increased the amount to try to build up tolerance. He would then let snakes bite him.
“At first, it was very scary,” Friede said. “But the more you do it, the better you get at it, the more calm you become with it.”
While no doctor or emergency medical technician – or anyone, really – would ever suggest this is a remotely good idea, experts say his method tracks how the body works.
When the immune system is exposed to the toxins in snake venom, it develops antibodies that can neutralise the poison. If it is a small amount of venom the body can react before it is overwhelmed. And if it is venom the body has seen before, it can react more quickly and handle larger exposures.