IAmA guy who's been injecting deadly snake venom into myself for 20 years. AMA

What's it like being fucking crazy?

I am sorry if it appear loco but I can assure you there is a method to my "madness"

Well, of course it seems that way to you.

[deleted]

Why does it always have to be man. There will be a venom superwoman someday and she will save us all

I saw your video on vice a while ago man...you don't seem crazy at all...passionate maybe, but not crazy.

Thank you!

Oh and to answer your question: feels kinda good

Yo Snakeman!! What's the maddest thing you have ever done on ur skateboard whilst tripping on snake crack?

Made a car that was chasing me crash into manure like in BAck To The Future

Trill. When you were actually bitten, do you just freak out and chuck a cobra across the room? Or is it more of a calm response? Also is it hard to get a snake off you once it has bitten you?

It is off you in lightening speed. They are quick.

Someone posted a video of Steve irwin getting bit for what seemed like a full minute.

I love Steve Irwin. That was a python in that video, it wouldn't have been venomous, but he was still so calm.

It depends on the snake, the bite and the situation. But usually they are extremely quick when biting something as big as a human. Although some rear fanged snakes like to chew.

You had a ROTTING LEG and continued to do this?? Wtf. Did it stink??

I had three of the most horrible decomposing stinkholes on my leg. It stank like death. Flies were coming to it

How long ago was this, did it completly heal and do you have a picture of how it looks now?

About 3 years ago. Yeah here's screengrabs (from the doc) of one of the holes on my leg. Rotting: http://i.imgur.com/IgVXcP9.jpg Healed: http://i.imgur.com/ficFA2t.png

Well it sounded a lot worse then it was, i was expecting a leg with a large chunk out of it :).

What's with the creepy smile face?

Sorry I was in a rush

You must be a hit with the ladies.

Girls dig snakes yes.

http://i.imgur.com/zMUCfmh.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/8fxqNNu.png

Are your powers strong enough to fight Spider-Man yet?

No but hopefully Bear Grillz

I fucking loved every second of your Vice documentary ! Just wanted to thank you for that.

Thanks so much for everyone watching such a new subject.

Gracias and Pura Vida!

have you ever tasted it? if so, what did it taste like?

Hemotoxic venoms taste ok and sweetish but the neurotoxins taste vile and bitter. Go figure

What is your injection schedule like?

You seem to have a pretty strong tremor in your video. Do you always have this, or just after injecting venom? If its constant, did it only start after you injected venom for the first time?

I inject every couple weeks. Although sometimes there are periods of time where I "push it" and do it more regularly.

The shaking in the video I've had a lot of questions about, but in reality it was just that I was nervous. It was early in the morning, we had to have paramedics present and an ambulance team outside, in case anything went wrong, and I had two camera guys in the room with me... Oh and a big light so the room was lit up. None of which I'm used to when I'm doing this on my own!

(Oh and a late night of partying the night before with my gf, Mary Jane, didn't help)

I shake when I am extremely nervous and I am also camera shy like Fred Flintstone. I never shake when I am alone and milking snakes. Everyone who thinks I have done neuro damage is wrong. I also was partying the night before

I read in an article that you don't sterilize the venom before injecting it, why don't you sterilize it?

And, do you have trouble walking with those enormous balls of yours?

Yeah I used to just use fresh raw venom until some herpetologist Dr. pointed the stupidity of that! I am now much more careful but still never had any real problems the old way. And my balls are not enormous by any means. Matter of fact I think all the venom has seriously shrunken them like raisins.

does your health insurance know about/cover this?

Nobody will ever give me health cover. I have tried!

I believed in universal healthcare before this.

I'm very thankful to the NHS. But if I had to go again I would rather not waste time/resources

If this is covered under his health insurance, I need to change my provider.

It's called the NHS

He lives in the UK so doesn't need any.

Also true, and very thankful to the NHS. Although I would rather not waste time/resources should I have to go again

What's next after snakes? Brown Recluse spider? My mother in law?

Milk yr Mother in Law and send it over. She might save as well

Do you have a fear of death at all?

I have a fear of some of the pop music that pollutes the airwaves. I am usually never afraid of dying cause once I made it past Jesus' age I just think bonus. No proper research yet. Time will tell.

How has your current or previous girlfriend/wife reacted to your usage of snake venom? Has it affected your relationship in any way?

My gf is an Aussie gal and she loves all things venom!!!!

1) What are the most obvious effects you've seen immediately after being injected?

2) What is the most soothing venom? 3) Which snake has the biggest penis?

1. Swelling and burning pain from hemotoxins. Neurotoxins feel less painful but and seem cleaner, although I am newer to the neurotoxins and am thinking of backing off and sticking with hemotoxins, which was my (accidental) specialty.

2. No venoms are soothing.

3. Large male reticulated python, or anaconda (Not trouser).

What struck me most about the video on Vice was that you say several times that you have no scientific basis for this, that it could cause deadly problems for you, and that the positive effects aren't especially clear. You point out that a test of your DNA telomeres likened you to a 28-year-old, but in the video you then say that you don't know if there are really any anti-aging properties.

In short, you seem very passionate about using the venom, but you're not especially evangelical about its benefits, whatever those might actually be.

My question is - why keep doing it? Is it more just habit at this point?

I think his hesistance is admirable. You wouldn't want to come out and make all these claims based on one case: yourself. People will call you a crazy pseudo scientist.

Thank you for noticing this.

HEY WHAT'S UP STEVE IT'S LEE FROM TRASH TALK! I still want a vile of venom to hang on a chain.

Yo Lee great to hear from you! Great new tunes! Hit me up on facebook with your details and I will sort something out!

Does it get you high?

Not like weed or anything no

What like then?

Cobra venom makes you feel kind of charged, and possibly lack of pain

So cocaine?

I'd say it's different, but similar at the same time, it seems to make you feel more keen to be active. And physically more able. But it's different because there's not so much of a mood change and no drippy nose the next day

Do you build up a tolerance to the venom, or do you just use small "doses"?

Came in to ask this. Would a real snake bite still knock you down?

Depends on the snake, but probably. Although I did get bit by an eyelash viper a few years back and knowingly rode it out (no hospital trip).

Yes, you build up a tolerance by using small doses and building up the doses, like horses do when they make anti venom.

The hemotoxins I seem to have more of an immunity to, as have been using longer

in your video you seemed pretty good at skating. whats it like skating on snake venom?

I love skating after doing cobra injections. People say it is dangerous but it is just like a video game for me going in-between buses and cars, collecting points for every time someone yells abuse or beeps a horn. Like a real life Pac-Man. Skating rules and the wheel and fire are my favourite inventions!

Have you ever eaten snake before?

Never. I could never eat a family member like that Bear Dickhammer

What do your friends/family think of this?

What is the normal reaction when you tell someone that you do this?

I saw some show on the discovery channel about a guy who did this because he worked a lot with snakes. He developed a resistance to snake bites because of the daily injections. Does this work for you?

Do you feel any "benefits" besides the "aging of a 28 year old?"

Thanks for the ama!

edit: WHERE DO YOU GET ALL THIS SNAKE VENOM?

From milking my own collection of snakes (and some others).

I have nipples, Focker

Can you milk me?

With the right plug yes

How many snakes does it take to keep this steady supply going?

What kind of snakes, and does injecting one kind of snake venom immune you from all other snake venom, or just from the species you are injecting it from?

Because the venom is so strong, milking and freezing from the few snakes I have enables months of supply to be on hand. I rarely need to milk my snakes.

Mostly I inject hemotoxic pit vipers.

I would hazard to say that generally speaking the more similar the two venoms are the more chance your immunity to one will be effective against the other, but they are all massively different and complex, in reality.

[deleted]

That is so cool. thanks for watching that response. I had fun and almost puked up mice

My friend and I are interested in herpetology, and we want to start breeding snakes for venom. Any pointers for us? Good breeds to start with? Also, is this just a hobby or do you make any money off selling the venom?

Great that you are all interested in herpetology! This is my hobby and no I do not sell or make money off venom. Good luck and seriously study unlike I did and you will go far amigos!

What was it like working with Vice?

Have you ever convinced someone else to try injections? Would you even want to?

Have you taken any orally? If so, which venom is the most delicious?

Working for VICE was totally great. They were up for everything. They gave me free mice! Brought cool tunes ASAP Rocky and Danny Brown! I have seen others inject. And venom orally is relatively safe. It is not a poison!

Be careful. They cancelled Steve Erwins line of suntan lotion because it didn't stop the rays.

Clever

Hey, I'm sorry about the responses you are getting but I actually support you, and I think it's pathetic that people's only comments are that "u r so stupid". Live and let live (or die). It's your life, you can do what you want with it! Reddit is brimming with people who think they know something be it science or whatever and they overflow with righteous indignation. (and are unbelievably bad at getting jokes)

I loved the vice videos and crazy people like you are what makes the world worth living in, keep it up man.

Thanks buddy!

after watching your vice video late the other night caused me to have quite a disturbing dream last night, I got bit by a venomous snake and I was fucked n we went to quite an effort to get the anti venom, then later on in the dream my girlfriend put the snake in the microwave, It did not enjoy it and went crazy as a snake probably would do If you put it in the microwave,, anyway enough of that hahaa I would like to know have you ever injected coral snake venom?? Sam

Stop eating cheese burgers before you go to bed and yes I have tried Coral snake

I watched your video last week. You seem like a pretty cool and humble guy.

Could you get in trouble for having venomous snakes in your apartment? I mean are there laws that prohibit that in your country?

They are not in my apartment and I have a licence to keep all my animals.

Whats the closest you've ever came to death?

The time I accidentally injected too much of three different kinds of venoms (northern pacific rattlesnake, eyelash viper and pope's tree viper). I spent 3 days in intensive care and nearly lost my arm

Could you feel that too much was injected or did you have to wait for effects?

I knew straight away I was in trouble. Burning pain and my hand swelled up like a baseball glove within 15mins.

Do you take any recreational drugs?

I have been in a touring pro rock band for manny many years so yes. But I only really ever fell in love with Mary Jane. She is my Godess for sure. I don't even drink now to save putting stress on my liver, etc

What was it that originally started you on this path of self-injecting snake venom?

Do you feel your choice has effected the relationships you have with others?

Have you found peers that believe and do the same?

I think Bill Haast really planted the seed of using venom. Has not really effected any relationships I have and yes I know of peers that do similar

Assuming you are into women, how has their reaction been to this and what effect does this practice have on your relationships?

I love woman so much I want to be one. My gf fully supports my venom research and even steals my venom to use in her moisturiser cream

In respect to the telomeres. Did the doctors give you any possible explanation about how this anti aging effect is possible? Snake venom has been known to slow the signs of aging and is used in some face creams if i am not mistaken. But do you know or have any theories of how this might be so?

No he seemed surprised (the doctor that is). They also did tests on my skin and found very little damage even though I've been surfing and traveling in hot countries all my life.

Venom is in some face creams, yes. It works like non-evasive botox... I inject it, go figure.

Do you have a job? Who would hire you?

I work as a published song writer.

What would you say the most beautiful snake is?

I love all the Asiatic seen tree vipers!!! Cuter than kittens!

"I have had science prove this helps me in some unknown way, but I don't recommend other people do it" WTF!

It's not necessarily very safe! I don't want people to get hurt! I might just be incredibly lucky

my wife and i watched your vice special because you reminded us so much of her cousin in london.

in the movie, you say you never get sick. could that be maybe not from the venom but maybe because your immune system has gotten so strong from the unsanitary conditions?

does injecting it get you any fun kind of high? like party high? or at least chill on your couch and lose track of how many bowls of cereal you've eaten high?

Doesn't get you me high at all in a party sense unless I hear a WEEN or Smiths song

Does this affect your sexual health at all?

Not at all I am always hungry. ADIDAS style

Do you plan on using other toxins, maybe from spiders or reptils?

Spiders no. I am really scared of spiders so I will leave it up to that other guy. Lizard venom yes!

Saw the video the other week. That's some crazy shit. In there, you mentioned a dude who got a lot of success out of treating people with various snake venom back in the day, and he inspired you. I've forgotten his name; what was his name, and why did that type of treatment stop?

Everyone please read more about Bill Haast the original man who started injecting in 1948. There are some great vids being posted by his wife.

Do you think it could improve the human genetics?

Are you snake man?

Maybe. And I wish I had scales instead of hair. hair is so mammalian