Bigboss OTT winner and popular Youtuber, Elvish Yadav was booked for allegedly supplying snake venom at a rave party in Noida on November 3, 2023. During the operation, the law enforcement authorities found a total of nine snakes, comprising five cobras and a python, were seized, along with a vial containing 20 millilitres of snake venom. Despite its severe dangers and potentially lethal consequences, snake venom is illicitly trafficked and occasionally misused as a recreational substance.
To understand the impact of snake venom, we spoke to our expert Dr Ekta Singhwal, M Sc Dietician, Ujala Cygnus Group of Hospitals, Gurugram, who shed light on the same.
“Snake venom, which is not a typical intoxicant, is extremely dangerous and can have severe, life-threatening effects when introduced into the human body”, said Dr Singhwal.
Short Term Impacts Of Snake Venom Addiction
Among the several psychoactive substances found worldwide, snake venom is regarded as the most hazardous substance. as stated in Cureus. Individuals struggling with addiction often describe a sensation of tingling, lasting anywhere from 10-40 seconds, followed by a feeling of intense happiness, muscle weakness, and relaxation.
Also, snake venom influences muscarinic receptors, which are essential for various physiological processes, such as improving memory and facilitating learning.
Dr Singhwal listed the short-term impacts of snake venom as follows:
- Neurotoxic Effects: Snake venom can lead to rapid paralysis and affect the nervous system. This can result in respiratory distress and even paralysis, leading to potential death within hours without medical intervention.
- Hemotoxic Effects: Some snake venoms can cause blood clotting disorders, leading to bleeding, organ damage, and shock.
- Systemic Symptoms: Ingesting snake venom can lead to nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and severe pain at the bite site.
- Allergic Reactions: Individuals may experience severe allergic reactions to snake venom, leading to anaphylactic shock and a life-threatening situation.
Long Term Impact Of Snake Venom Addiction
“If someone were to survive a snake venom poisoning incident, there may be long-term complications, including neurological deficits or organ damage”, said Dr Singhwal.
“Moreover, psychological trauma may also occur due to the life-threatening nature of snake venom poisoning”, added Dr Singhwal. Upon entering the human bloodstream, snake venom releases active metabolites, including serotonin, bradykinin, peptides, prostaglandins, and various slow-reacting substances. These compounds elicit distinct psychotropic effects, such as inducing hypnosis and sedation.
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“It is crucial to emphasise that using snake venom as an intoxicant is extremely dangerous and illegal. Venomous snakes are protected species, and harvesting their venom is regulated by authorities for legitimate purposes, such as medical research and the production of antivenom”, said Dr Singhwal underscoring the importance of adhering to these regulations and respecting the ecological balance.
Bottomline
Dr Singhwal concluded, “If you suspect someone has been exposed to snake venom or any other toxic substance, seek immediate medical attention. This response is not intended to encourage or endorse the use of snake venom in any way, but to provide information on its dangers from a health expert's perspective.”
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