Popular YouTuber Elvish Yadav has been arrested on charges of using snake venom illicitly. A court has ordered Elvish into judicial custody for 14 days.
Last year on November 3, a police report accused six individuals, including Elvish. Five associates were arrested last year and are currently out on bail.
On the same day, police confiscated 5 cobras and 4 other snakes, along with 20 milliliters of snake venom from a banquet hall raid in Sector 51. While Elvish was not at this party, his involvement is under investigation.
The trend of using snake venom as a drug in rave parties is glaringly on the rise. What's so alluring about snake venom that draws young individuals towards it? Let's understand through these two case studies...
- First Case
A study published in the American National Library of Medicine examined a young man from Rajasthan addicted to snake venom.
He had an intense addiction to cigarettes, alcohol, and occasionally partook in marijuana and other substances. Through a friend, he learned about the intoxicating effects of snake venom.
He acquired a snake from nomadic snake charmers and had it bite his tongue. He explained that everything became blurred before experiencing a blackout.
Upon regaining consciousness, he felt burst with energy lasting for three to four weeks, losing his cravings for cigarettes and alcohol during that period.
However, after a few weeks, the urge for traditional substances returned. Reusing the venom, he noticed the energizing effect diminished to one or two weeks over successive uses.
- Second Case
The Indian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology reported a case of a 19-year-old with a deep-rooted addiction to cigarettes, alcohol, and six years of marijuana use.
After learning about the venom's effects from friends, he obtained a snake from another town, and it was injected with a chemical before biting his tongue. The resultant high was immediate, disrupting his sleep and filling him with energy for about a week.
After several such episodes, his family noticed and sought treatment for him.
Why Does Snake Venom Induce a High?
The venom doesn't intoxicate like alcohol but impacts the nervous system, creating a high feeling.
Neurotoxins in the venom affect neurotransmission, commonly lasting around six to seven days.
The Effect of Venom
Addicts often inject the snake with chemicals to enhance the venom's effect before intentionally getting bitten on the tongue or lips.
The neurotoxic substances target the nervous system, leading to muscle weakness, paralysis, and mental state alterations among other effects.
As per a 2014 research paper published in the National Library of Medicine, the most common snake venoms used for intoxication in India are from the cobra, common krait, and green snake.
These toxins reportedly induce similar effects to nicotine and affect muscarinic receptors leading to deterioration of memory and potentially harmful bodily effects.
The Biological Effect when Mixed with Blood
A study published by the Indian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology in 2021 reveals that most snake venom is in dried form, with cobra venom producing effects similar to morphine.
When venom enters the bloodstream, it releases chemicals like serotonin and bradykinin, which have delayed influences. Certain chemicals directly affect the brain inducing a sense of peace.
The study also mentioned that many people seek the high from snake venom to enhance their personalities, feeling stronger, but eventually, it weakens them.
Though intoxication doesn't typically result in death, scientists are investigating why neurotoxic components in snake venom don't lead to fatality.
The Cost of Snake Venom
The price of snake venom can vary depending on the species, generally ranging from $450 to $750 per gram, with prices fluctuating by country.
