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How long could someone last if they had endless water, but no food?Richard Lee Fulgham:
I know the answer since I’ve researched starvation, its process, and its role in painless suicide. (Don’t worry, I’m not suicidal.)
A healthy person can survive around 45 to 65 days without food, provided they remain hydrated.
You could manage without serious symptoms for about 30 to 35 days, but after that, you'd likely start experiencing skin rashes, diarrhea, and significant weight loss.
As you probably know, the body starts consuming itself, beginning with fat (adipose tissue) and then moving on to muscle tissue.
Look up Mahatma Gandhi, who nearly starved to death during 14 voluntary hunger strikes to highlight India’s fight for independence.
Interestingly, there is plenty of evidence suggesting starvation can be a painless way to die. In fact, a profound euphoria may set in when the body recognizes it's approaching death. Whether this is a divine gift or just brain chemicals is unclear.
However, not all experiences are so peaceful. Some individuals suffering from starvation have endured extreme irritability, unbearable skin rashes, persistent diarrhea, painful swallowing, and edema.
Typically, death occurs when the organs begin to fail after six to nine weeks. In most cases, the heart simply stops.
(Here is an in-depth medical report on the longest documented fast: 382 days.)
This article first appeared on Quora. Click here to read more.
