Inedia

Inedia (derived from Latin, meaning "fasting"), commonly known as breatharianism, refers to the controversial belief asserting that human beings can subsist without the intake of food or, in some cases, even water. Adherents, referred to as "breatharians", posit that humans can be nourished solely by "prana" – a concept rooted in Hinduism representing the vital life force. This life force is purportedly chiefly derived from sunlight, thus leading some to the conviction that sunlight alone can sustain life. Beyond being a mere belief, some proponents adopt breatharianism as an alternate lifestyle, forgoing the conventional diet.

Origins and Philosophy

The practice of Inedia has its roots in ancient religious and spiritual traditions, particularly within Hinduism where the idea of "prana" or life force is a fundamental concept. The Ayurvedic tradition holds that sunlight is among the primary sources of this life energy. Some breatharians assert that with the right meditative and spiritual practices, a person can draw enough energy from sunlight and air to sustain their bodily functions.

Scientific Assessment and Criticisms

The scientific and medical community universally regards breatharianism as a hazardous pseudoscience. Established nutritional science delineates the perilous consequences of prolonged fasting, which include:

• Starvation
• Dehydration
• The body resorting to using its own reserves, including glycogen, body fat, and muscle

Contrary to the scientific understanding of metabolism, breatharians assert that during their fasting stages, their bodies do not consume these reserves.

Documented Observations

On rare occasions, some breatharians have volunteered for medical scrutiny to verify their claims:

• Indian mystic Prahlad Jani was observed in a hospital setting, reportedly surviving 15 days without food or water.
• An Israeli proponent was observed on a television documentary, claiming to live without sustenance for eight days.

However, not all attempts have had seemingly positive outcomes. Numerous individuals attempting to practice breatharianism have met fatal ends due to starvation and dehydration. The Indian Rationalist Association, after investigating several cases of Inedia, found all of them to be fraudulent. Other individuals, attempting to exist solely on sunlight, discontinued their efforts after experiencing substantial weight loss.

Consequences and Dangers

Breatharianism has been linked to several fatal cases where individuals, misled by the philosophy's promises, succumbed to starvation or severe dehydration. Health experts and nutritionists strongly advise against attempting such practices due to the immediate risks and long-term damages to one's health.

See Also

• Fasting
• Hinduism
• Ayurveda
• Pseudoscience

References

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Inedia

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  A discourse upon prodigious abstinence