In New York, Tim Friede’s unprecedented encounters with venomous snakes are attracting scientific interest, as researchers hope his unique experiences will aid in developing improved snakebite treatments. Over the years, Friede has voluntarily allowed himself to be bitten by snakes multiple times, a practice initially motivated by his fascination with venomous animals, including reptiles and arachnids. He sought to build tolerance by injecting himself with small doses of venom, gradually increasing the amounts to enhance his immunity.
While the approach is unconventional and discouraged by medical professionals, it aligns with the body’s ability to build resistance. When exposed to snake venom, the immune system can create antibodies to neutralize the toxin. The body’s response is more efficient if it has encountered the venom before, offering quicker and more significant protection.
For nearly two decades, Friede has been testing his bodily limits, amassing a collection of venom and showcasing his experiences, including snakebite marks, on his YouTube channel. Despite the high risk, Friede was driven by a desire not only to challenge himself but also to contribute to the scientific community. He actively reached out to researchers, urging them to study his acquired tolerance to venom.
The urgency is evident as snakebites claim approximately 110,000 lives annually, according to the World Health Organization. Current antivenomation procedures are costly and complex, often involving the use of large animals to produce venom-specific antibodies. These antivenoms can be species-specific and may cause adverse reactions due to their origin.
Peter Kwong from Columbia University recognized the potential of Friede’s situation, noting the uniqueness of the antibodies carried in his blood, honed over 18 years. In a recent publication in the journal Cell, Kwong and his team revealed their discovery of two antibodies from Friede that could neutralize multiple snake venoms. Their goal is to create a treatment that provides broader protection against various species.
Though promising, the research is still in its nascent stages, with the antivenom tested only on mice. Human trials remain a future possibility, and the current findings do not yet address venom from viper species like rattlesnakes. Nicholas Casewell, a researcher not involved in the study, acknowledges the potential while emphasizing the substantial work still required.
Throughout his journey, Friede has faced significant challenges, including severe reactions to some bites, leading to the partial amputation of a finger and hospitalizations from particularly venomous cobra incidents. Now working with Centivax, a company invested in developing the treatment, Friede remains hopeful his unusual path might contribute to life-saving advancements. Nevertheless, his advice to others is stern: “Don’t do it.”