From: dethfdddddh | #010
In the comics he's also a super genius, which is what Nolan is going for here. I think he cut out the Venom.
According to Wikipedia, the mask supplies him with anesthetic gas which suppresses the pain from some injury. And I guess makes him a tougher fighter since Batman would beat him up and he wouldn't feel it. So I guess that's what they're doing instead of having him hulk up on Venom.
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[NO BARKLEY NO PEACE]