Elvish Yadav case: What is snake venom and how does it affect human body?

Youtuber and internet sensation Elvish Yadav is making headlines for all the wrong reasons. The Bigg Boss OTT 2 winner was arrested after it was alleged that he used snake venom as a recreational drug at a party in Delhi-NCR. The YouTuber is supposed to appear before the district and sessions court Surajpur in Greater Noida on March 18.

Let us look at what is snake venom and what are its side effects

What is snake venom?

Snake venom is a complex mixture of proteins and enzymes produced by venomous snakes. It serves various functions, primarily to immobilise or kill prey, aid in digestion, and defend against predators. The composition of snake venom can vary significantly among different species of snakes.

While it is uncommon, many use snake venom as a recreational drug. It is an uncommon and highly dangerous practice in India, carrying potentially life-threatening risks.

According to a 2018 study ‘Snake Venom Use as a Substitute for Opioids: A Case Report and Review of Literature’, the reptiles were made to bite the person's feet or tongue during their ‘recreational’ use in India.

What happens when one takes snake venom?

The study showed that when one is bitten by a snake on the tongue, he/she feels drowsy for a few hours. Then there is an extended period of elevated happiness, an enhanced sense of well-being, and a reduced desire for sleep that lasts for a week.

Once snake venom is injected into the body it releases active metabolites such as serotonin, bradykinin, peptides, and prostaglandins.

Some common side effects are an increased sense of well-being, lethargy, a heightened sense of grandiosity, blurred vision, dizziness, and intense and persistent euphoria. The effects may vary from one person to another.

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