Tim Friede, autodidact herpetologist and venom expert. For the past 18 years he’s been thoroughly and passionately committed to a highly controversial self-immunization practice known as mithridatism. He undertook a daunting personal experiment by injecting himself with higher and higher amounts of multiple snake venoms. This very foolish project nearly killed him on multiple occasions. Recent developments in scientific research have transformed Friede’s dangerous experiment into a potential solution for the global snakebite crisis.
Snakebites affect millions worldwide, with an estimated 2.7 million cases annually leading to approximately 138,000 deaths and 400,000 permanent disabilities. The World Health Organization has rightly declared snakebite a disease of poverty, one which strikes the world’s most vulnerable populations the hardest. The ecological interactions that cause such bites are still badly understood, making the case for an effective treatment all the more critical.
In a recent study, scientists isolated antibodies from just 9 mL of Friede’s blood. They found “Shields Up” super antibodies capable of blocking toxic destruction by neurotoxins present in the venoms of cobras, mambas, and 17 other snake species. This revolutionary finding has the potential to inform production of novel antivenom therapies that would shift the preventive landscape of snakebite therapeutics.
The Risks of Mithridatism
For Tim Friede, his personal path toward mithridatism has been riddled with peril. So for the next 18 years or so, he repeatedly exposed himself to greater doses of numerous snake venoms. Building these models in secret raised panic-inducing alarms from scientists and the public both. His dedication to the science of snake venoms exacted a heavy personal toll. He suffered life-threatening anaphylactic shock several times.
Despite the lethal dangers that came with this practice, Friede pushed forward with his self-experimentation to foster an immunity to these lethal venoms. He knew his immunity would fade pretty dramatically within a couple weeks, so he knew regular exposure was key. For example, researchers are working to understand the cellular and molecular effects of snake venom on the human body. Their commitment reflects the lengths people will go to in order to seek out solutions to today’s most pressing health challenges.
Few would wander down such an alluringly perilous road. Friede’s curiosity about snakes and how they accomplished what they did venom wise drove him to continue. In doing so he turned himself into a living testament to mithridatism. This long-standing myth is rooted in the idea that you can gain immunity by slowly exposing yourself to poisons. As an example of what is possible and a warning against pushing human experimentation too far, his story is equally an inspiration and a cautionary tale.
Scientific Breakthroughs from a Unique Source
The radical promise of Friede’s monoclonals had piqued the interest of enterprising researchers looking for an out-of-the-box answer to the worldwide snakebite crisis. In their research, scientists used a tiny blood sample taken from Friede. They then took as starting point the unique antibodies his body had produced to handle the snake venoms he’d met face-to-face over the decades.
The results were striking. The “super antibodies” found in Friede’s blood proved capable of neutralizing neurotoxins from a dozen different venomous snakes. It even included some of the most dangerous, like vz cobras and mambas. By stopping the toxic damage caused by these venoms, this revolutionary new advance may someday allow for the creation of better and safer antivenoms.
The implications are significant. Current antivenom production methods are archaic. These treatments typically require administering venom to horses, or other large mammals, prior to extracting their antibodies. This reverse process is costly, redundant, time-consuming, and inefficient. Additionally, the production of antivenom is not seen as a profitable venture, which has stifled innovation in this space.
Addressing a Global Health Crisis
The deep need for new treatments snakebites is highlighted by the shocking numbers in the snakebite statistics. Snakebite is a neglected tropical disease, killing one person about every four minutes around the globe, and poses a pressing global public health emergency. The truth is, for many people living in rural communities, the daily reality includes risking a bite from a venomous snake. Yet, they usually do not have timely access to medical care or antivenom.
Having identified this inevitable beast, researchers and governments are more committed than ever to finding new therapies to combat it. Beyond conventional antivenom concepts, advanced strategies such as monoclonal antibodies are increasingly promising. Combined with traditional methods, these advanced techniques hold the promise of safer, more effective treatments to relieve the snakebite burden around the world.
In Australia, government support for onshore antivenom production has ramped up since 2020, pointing to a budding trend toward more sustainable solutions. As research into these various areas progresses, the scientific community can be hopeful that new therapies will be developed to treat this silent epidemic.