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Crazy man is addicted to snakebites

Its venom, which is lethal within 20 minutes, doesn’t deter Tim Friede from guiding a black mamba towards his bare arm in anticipation of a bite.

Once the snake has punctured his skin and released its venom, he simply leans back in his chair, waiting for the pain to diminish.

Snakebite addict

This unemployed factory worker has endured over 100 bites from venomous snakes, having developed his resistance through self-administering diluted venom injections.

As the poison triggers anaphylaxis—a severe allergic reaction that can be life-threatening and cause difficulty in breathing—his arm swells considerably.

Yet, he remains optimistic, believing that this self-imposed torment will yield significant results in showing that millions at risk from snake bites could achieve immunity.

‘When people observe my actions, they often exclaim or question if I’m going to die,’ remarked the 45-year-old. ’These images serve as proof of my immunity, demonstrating that this method is effective.

‘This is the only manner in which skeptics may accept it, and it represents the true evaluation of whether self-immunization is successful.’

Mr. Friede, who harbors 100 snakes in his Milwaukee, Wisconsin basement, must undergo regular medical evaluations to ensure he hasn’t sustained any unnoticed organ damage.

However, he expressed, ‘I aspire that by cultivating my own resistance to venom, I can establish a foundation for a vaccine aimed at the 125,000 individuals who succumb to snake bites annually.

‘Currently, the unfortunate populations of Asia and Africa are predominantly affected.’

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