The Man Who Let Deadly Snakes Bite Him 200 Times

I’ll admit it: I’ve done some weird deep dives on the internet. But nothing prepared me for the story of Tim Friede, the guy who’s basically turned himself into a human science experiment…by voluntarily letting deadly snakes bite him.

Not once. Not twice. Over 200 times.

And here’s the wild part: not only is he still alive, but his blood might actually be the key to creating a universal antivenom.

Yeah, it sounds like a Netflix doc waiting to happen. But this is real life. And the science behind it? Absolutely fascinating.

So let’s unpack this. Why would someone do this? How does it even work? And what does it mean for the millions of people at risk of snakebites every year?

Grab a coffee (or a copper mug of water if you read my last article), this one’s a ride.

Wait… he wanted to be bitten?

Let’s start here because, honestly, same question.

Most of us see a snake and immediately back away like it’s radioactive. But for Tim? Snakes aren’t scary, they’re a calling.

After seeing how many people die every year from snakebites (the World Health Organization estimates 5.4 million snakebites annually, with 138,000 deaths), he wondered if there was another way. What if a person could build immunity?

Instead of waiting for slow, species-specific antivenoms that may or may not be available in time…what if your own immune system could fight back?

So he started small: injecting himself with microscopic doses of snake venom, increasing gradually. Then came the live bites.

Fast-forward 20 years, and Tim’s been bitten by everything from cobras to black mambas to taipans. His immune system? Basically a Marvel origin story at this point.

(Also…the dude keeps cobras in his garage.)

The science behind his immunity

Okay, let’s get nerdy for a sec.

When you expose your body to a small amount of a toxin, your immune system goes, “Oh no you don’t” and starts producing antibodies to neutralize it. Do that over and over? Your immune system gets better and faster at responding.

That’s what Tim’s been doing. Every bite, every injection? Training his immune system like it’s prepping for the snakebite Olympics.

And here’s where it gets even cooler: his blood has been tested in labs and shown to neutralize snake venom in test tubes.

This means his immune system doesn’t just fight one snake’s venom, it fights multiple kinds of venom. Scientists call this polyclonal immunity…and it’s something current antivenoms can’t replicate.

Honestly, it reminds me of that story I covered about the guy who lived 105 days with an artificial titanium heart. People turning themselves into science experiments…deep respect.

But is it safe? Spoiler: not really.

Look. This isn’t a DIY immunity plan.

Tim’s had more than a few close calls. He’s experienced paralysis. Breathing issues. Massive swelling. Some bites almost killed him.

But somehow, he’s still here. Still standing. Still letting snakes bite him for science.

Honestly, it’s both inspiring and completely terrifying.

Doctors have warned that what he’s doing is extremely risky, and that his body’s ability to survive these bites isn’t something most people could replicate. Genetics, immune system quirks, sheer luck? Probably a mix of all three.

Why antivenom is still a global problem

Here’s something wild: antivenom hasn’t really changed much in 100 years.

It’s still made by injecting animals (usually horses) with venom, harvesting their antibodies, purifying it, and packaging it up for human use.

But each antivenom is species-specific. Got bitten by a rattlesnake? Sorry, that antivenom won’t work for a cobra. Or a black mamba. Or a fer-de-lance.

And because of how it’s made, antivenom is expensive, in short supply, and not always accessible in the regions that need it most. (Most things seem to be expensive these days, check out how $2 saline bags are being sold for $700 here!)

Imagine getting bitten in a rural area, hours from a hospital, only to find out the hospital doesn’t stock the right antivenom. Terrifying.

That’s why a universal antivenom would be such a game-changer. Something that neutralizes a broad range of snake venoms? Total holy grail of toxinology.

And Tim’s blood? Might be pointing scientists toward that possibility.

Researchers are paying attention

This isn’t just one guy shouting into the void. Scientists have been analyzing Tim’s blood to study his antibodies and see if they can replicate them in the lab.

Imagine being able to synthesize those antibodies, mass-produce them, and make a safer, faster, more widely available antivenom.

We’re still a long way off…but the fact that it’s even possible? Pretty incredible.

How does this help the average person?

Look, most of us aren’t planning to keep cobras in our garage. But if you hike, camp, or live anywhere near venomous snakes? It’s still worth knowing the risks.

Snakebites can be life-threatening even with medical help. Every minute counts.

That’s why having a snakebite first aid kit in your backpack or glovebox isn’t a bad idea. I found this compact snakebite kit on Amazon that’s great for hikers, small, lightweight, and comes with a suction pump and bandages (obviously, only if you live where this is applicable).

It’s not a replacement for professional care, but in an emergency? Better than nothing.

Is he crazy… or brilliant?

Honestly? Maybe both.

What Tim’s done is extreme, risky, and not something anyone should copy. But it also shows what’s possible when curiosity meets sheer determination.

He wasn’t a scientist. He wasn’t funded by a lab. He was just a guy who loved snakes and wanted to make a difference.

And if his self-experimentation leads to a breakthrough that saves lives? He’ll have earned his place in the history books.

(Preferably one with fewer emergency room visits, but hey.)

Every once in a while, a story comes along that makes me go: “Humans are wild.”

This is one of those stories.

A man voluntarily let deadly snakes bite him over 200 times, and might’ve just helped unlock a cure for the very thing that could’ve killed him.

It’s gutsy. It’s reckless. It’s brilliant.

And it’s a reminder that sometimes, progress doesn’t come from perfect labs or billion-dollar budgets. Sometimes it comes from one determined person willing to risk everything…in a garage full of cobras.