A man let snakes bite him for years. He could be the key to a universal antivenom

What's it like to get bit by a venomous snake It's like a bee sting times a thousand Tim Friede says Tim would know Over the past inadequate decades he's let himself be bitten over times by all kinds of venomous snakes black mambas taipans cobras kraits and more With time he's gradually built immunity to multiple types of venom Could scientists help him share that immunity with others Science reporter Ari Daniel joins Short Wave to explain how antivenom works what scientists discovered and where the research may lead Plus what does Tim Friede have in common with Princess Bride Want to hear about more biological discoveries Email us at shortwave nprg org to tell us what areas of science you'd be interested in Listen to every episode of Short Wave sponsor-free and assistance our work at NPR by signing up for Short Wave at plus npr org shortwave Image credit Michele D'Amico