Tim Friede has endured hundreds of snake bites. Presently, researchers are analyzing his blood with the aim of developing more effective snake bite treatments.

Friede has a long-standing fascination with reptiles and other venomous creatures. He used to milk scorpions and had a collection of dozens of snakes at his home in Wisconsin.

To protect himself from snake bites and satisfy his “simple curiosity,” he started injecting himself with small doses of snake venom, gradually increasing the amount to build his tolerance before allowing a snake to bite him.

“It was very frightening at first,” Friede said. “But the more you do it, the better you become at handling it, and the more comfortable you get.”

While no healthcare professional would endorse this practice, experts indicate that his approach sheds light on how the body functions. When the immune system encounters snake venom, it produces antibodies that can counteract the venom. If exposed to a small quantity, the body might respond before being overwhelmed, and prior exposure can lead to quicker reactions to larger doses.

For nearly two decades, Friede has endured snake bites and self-injections, yet he still keeps a fridge stocked with venom. In a video on his YouTube channel, he showcases the prominent fang marks on his arms from black mamba, taipan, and water cobra bites.

“I essentially wanted to test the boundaries of life and death as much as possible,” he stated.

In addition, Friede sought to contribute to science. He reached out to numerous scientists, requesting studies on the tolerance he had developed.

According to the World Health Organization, approximately 110,000 people die from snake bites annually. Developing antivenoms is both costly and challenging, often requiring large mammals like horses to produce antibodies through venom injections. These antivenoms tend to be effective against only specific snake species and can cause adverse reactions due to their non-human origin.

Upon learning about Friede, Peter Kwon from Columbia University remarked, “Oh, wow, this is quite extraordinary. He is a uniquely special individual with remarkable antibodies developed over 18 years.”

In a publication in the Journal Cell on Friday, Kwon and collaborators shared insights on what Friede’s unique blood can accomplish. They have identified two antibodies capable of neutralizing venom from multiple snake species, aiming to create a treatment that could eventually provide broad protection.

This study is in its early stages—antivenoms are currently tested only on mice, with years needed before human testing can commence. While their experimental treatments show promise for certain snake categories, including mambas and cobras, they are less effective against vipers.

“Despite the potential, there is still much work to be done,” noted Nicholas Casewell, a snakebite researcher at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, in an email. Casewell was not part of the recent study.

Friede’s journey has not been without challenges. He mentioned that a bad snake bite resulted in part of his finger needing amputation, and some severe cobra bites sent him to the hospital.

Friede is currently working with Centivax, which is developing a treatment, and he is hopeful that his 18-year journey might someday lead to a lifesaving solution for snake bites. However, his advice for those inspired to follow his path is straightforward: “Don’t do this,” he cautioned.