The CREEPY effect of starvation to the mind (Experiment)

Summary

In the 1940s, the University of Minnesota conducted a harrowing experiment on 36 conscientious objectors to understand the effects of semi-starvation and refeeding. The study, aimed at aiding war victims, revealed profound physical and psychological impacts, including obsession with food and mental breakdowns. The experiment's findings on caloric needs and the challenges of rehabilitation were published years later, highlighting the extreme sacrifices made by the participants for scientific knowledge.

Takeaways

• 🔬 The Minnesota Starvation Experiment was conducted in the 1940s to study the effects of semi-starvation and refeeding on healthy men, aiming to help millions who were starving during World War II.
• 📚 The study was led by Ansel Keys and was designed with five phases, including a baseline period, a semi-starvation phase, and a refeeding phase, each lasting 12 weeks.
• 🍞 During the semi-starvation phase, participants were given monotonous meals simulating the diets of Central Europeans during famine, with approximately half of their caloric needs met.
• 🏃‍♂️ Participants were expected to maintain their regular routines and activities, including walking 22 miles weekly and half an hour on a treadmill, despite their reduced energy.
• 🧠 The experiment revealed significant psychological effects, with men becoming obsessively fixated on food, to the point where it consumed their every thought and led to mental breakdowns.
• 💔 One volunteer harmed himself due to the unbearable mental strain of the experiment, highlighting the severe impact on mental health.
• 🥄 The refeeding phase was surprisingly more challenging than the starvation period, with participants experiencing despair and confusion as their bodies slowly recovered.
• 🛑 Some participants were removed from the study for cheating or losing control, indicating the difficulty of maintaining the study's strict conditions.
• 🎬 The script includes a sponsorship message for Surfshark VPN, emphasizing the channel's first brand deal and the benefits of using a VPN for streaming and security.
• 📉 After the war ended, the findings of the experiment were not immediately utilized in the fight against post-war world hunger, and the study's results were not published for another five years.
• 🙏 The participants, being conscientious objectors, were not compensated by the U.S. government nor received veterans' benefits, underscoring their selfless contribution to the study.

Q & A

What was the primary purpose of the hunger study conducted at the University of Minnesota in the 1940s?

The primary purpose of the hunger study was to understand how to best refeed individuals suffering from severe malnutrition, particularly those affected by the war in Europe.

Who were the volunteers for the starvation experiment and why were they chosen?

The volunteers were conscientious objectors, men who refused to participate in the war on the grounds of conscience. They were chosen because they were willing to contribute to the war effort in a non-violent way.

How many phases did the study have and what was the duration of each phase?

The study had five phases in total, each lasting 12 weeks. The phases included a baseline period, a semi-starvation period, and a rehabilitation phase.

What was the diet like during the semi-starvation phase of the experiment?

During the semi-starvation phase, participants were given two meals a day from monotonous menus that simulated the food scarcity experienced in central European countries during famine, consisting mainly of whole wheat bread, potatoes, cereals, turnips, cabbages, and a small amount of dairy and meat.

How did the physical condition of the participants change during the semi-starvation phase?

The participants' physical condition deteriorated significantly. They lost energy, struggled with simple tasks, and had to adapt to the physical strain, such as bringing pillows everywhere for comfort.

What psychological effects did the experiment have on the participants?

The experiment had severe psychological effects, including an obsession with food that consumed their every thought, mood swings, and in some cases, a descent into insanity.

What was the most challenging aspect of the study according to the participants?

The most challenging aspect of the study was not the period of starvation itself, but the subsequent refeeding phase, which was psychologically difficult for the participants.

What was the impact of the experiment on the participants' daily routines and activities?

The participants were allowed to continue their regular jobs and activities as long as they did not interfere with the experiment. However, the semi-starvation affected their ability to perform even simple tasks and maintain their usual routines.

What was the significance of the sponsorship mentioned in the script?

The sponsorship mentioned in the script is significant as it represents the channel's first brand deal with Surfshark VPN, allowing the content creator to continue producing high-quality videos and earn revenue from their work.

What were the consequences for the participants after the experiment ended?

After the experiment, the participants did not receive any payment from the U.S. government and did not qualify for veterans' benefits, as they were conscientious objectors and not soldiers.

What were the findings of the Minnesota starvation experiment regarding the refeeding of malnourished individuals?

The experiment revealed that starving individuals require a substantial intake of raw calories, up to 4,000 per day, during the refeeding process.