Tim Friede’s Unusual Mission to Combat Snakebites
In New York, Tim Friede has taken a bold and unconventional approach by deliberately exposing himself to snake bites—doing so hundreds of times. His unique journey has caught the attention of scientists who are now studying his blood to develop more effective treatments for snake bites.
Friede has had a lifelong passion for reptiles and venomous creatures. He has collected various snakes at his home in Wisconsin and has even milked scorpions and spiders for their venom as a hobby. Driven by curiosity and a desire to protect himself from snake bites, he began injecting small doses of snake venom into his body. Over time, he increased the amounts to build his tolerance. Eventually, he allowed himself to be bitten by snakes as well.
“At first, it was really frightening,” said Friede, reflecting on his experiences. “But as I continued, I learned how to remain calm.”
While few medical professionals would endorse this method, Friede’s practice does have some scientific backing. It reveals how the immune system can develop antibodies in response to snake venom, potentially providing a way for the body to tolerate larger doses of poison.
For nearly two decades, Friede has collected snake bites and injections, even documenting his experiences on YouTube, showing the aftermath of bites from species like the black mamba and water cobra. He emphasized his goal of pushing the limits of human tolerance, aiming to learn just how far he could go.
His ambition to contribute to science led him to contact numerous researchers, seeking to explore the tolerance he had built. The urgency for such studies is significant: approximately 110,000 people die from snakebites globally each year, according to the World Health Organization. Currently, creating antivenom is challenging and costly, often requiring the use of large animals like horses to produce antibodies. Additionally, these antivenoms tend to be species-specific and may cause adverse reactions.
Researchers at Columbia University, intrigued by Friede’s case, discovered unique antibodies in his blood that could potentially neutralize venom from several snake species. Their research, however, is still in its early stages, having only been tested in mice so far.
With his experiences, Friede hopes to inform future efforts to combat snakebite fatalities. Now employed by Centivax, which is working on developing a more effective treatment, he feels positive about the impact his journey could have on saving lives. However, he wisely cautioned others against attempting to replicate his dangerous experiments: “Don’t do it,” he warned.
