The Breatharian Way: Is It Possible for Humans to Live on Just Air?

If you had a groundbreaking solution to world hunger, wouldn't you feel compelled to share it? For a breatharian, the answer to this global crisis and other food-related illnesses is clear: simply stop eating.

Or, more specifically, subsist on prana, a Sanskrit term meaning "life air" or "life force." The notion of prana is shared across various cultures; China, Japan, and Polynesia all have their own interpretations of this vital life energy.

What Does It Mean to Be a Breatharian?

The breatharian lifestyle involves completely abandoning food and water, instead sustaining oneself solely on prana, also known as "living on light" or "surviving on air."

Jasmuheen, originally Ellen Greve, is considered the leading figure in the modern breatharian movement. Her Prana Program encourages a gradual transition to breatharianism: start as a vegetarian, then vegan, move to raw foods, followed by fruits, liquids, and finally, prana. You replace physical nourishment with air and light.

Fasting holds deep spiritual significance in many major religions, including Hinduism, Christianity, Islam, and Judaism. Mahatma Gandhi, the renowned spiritual and political leader and humanitarian, described a complete fast as "the truest prayer." He practiced fasting throughout his life for both religious and political purposes.

The key distinction between fasting and the breatharian approach to sustenance is that fasting has a clear endpoint. Breatharianism, however, is a permanent fast — for the entire duration of one's life.

Jasmuheen asserts that she has lived for years without any form of nourishment, although she occasionally consumes food for the sake of flavor. However, breatharianism has led to the deaths of some of its followers.

Breatharian-Related Deaths

Verity Linn, a 49-year-old woman, passed away in a secluded area of Scotland after attempting the breatharian lifestyle.

Timo Degen, a kindergarten teacher, followed the breatharian regimen and fell into a coma. After four weeks of IV treatment, Degen recovered, only to die shortly afterward [source: The Sunday Times via Rick Ross].

Lani Morris, a mother of nine, kept a journal during her time as a breatharian. She died from pneumonia, severe dehydration, kidney failure, and the aftermath of a severe stroke. At the time of her death, she was under the care of fellow breatharians Jim and Eugenia Pesnak [source: The Australian via Rick Ross].

Isolated, Morris believed she would be given orange juice after one week, followed by no nourishment for the next two weeks. In her diary, she mentioned dreaming of food. She lost the ability to use her legs, became incontinent, and began coughing up a black, sticky substance. The Pesnaks claimed they didn’t realize Morris was critically ill until it was too late.

Criticisms of the Breatharian Movement

Beyond the physical harm that abstaining from food can cause, critics of breatharianism have also raised concerns about the movement's promotion of an unhealthy relationship with food, arguing that it may encourage individuals who struggle with eating disorders to adopt a dangerous diet.

What Effects Does the Breatharian Lifestyle Have on Your Body?

What happens to the human body when deprived of both food and water? Without food, the body must find alternative ways to maintain glucose levels. Initially, it breaks down glycogen. Then, it shifts to using proteins and fats.

The liver processes fatty acids into byproducts called ketone bodies until there are too many to handle. At this point, the body enters a life-threatening state known as ketoacidosis.

However, dehydration is the more immediately fatal condition. A person can only survive without water for a few days, maybe two weeks at most. The exact duration depends on factors such as the external temperature and the individual’s characteristics.

First, the body loses water through urine and sweat. As dehydration progresses, ketoacidosis and uremia, a buildup of toxins in the blood, occur. Eventually, the organs begin to fail. Kidney failure sets in, and an electrolyte imbalance leads to cardiac arrhythmia. Dehydration can result in seizures, permanent brain damage, or even death.

Jasmuheen has stated, "If a person is unprepared and does not heed their inner voice, there can be numerous problems during the 21-day [fasting] process, from extreme weight loss to even death" [Source: Jasmuheen]. However, science asserts that the human body cannot survive without food and water for such an extended period, regardless of what the inner voice may suggest.

Jasmuheen volunteered to appear on Australia's "60 Minutes" to demonstrate her claims of living off light. After 48 hours, her blood pressure increased, and signs of dehydration appeared. She attributed these symptoms to polluted air.

The program moved her to a more remote location, but as her speech slowed, her pupils dilated, and weight loss continued, the supervising doctor advised halting the experiment before she suffered further kidney damage. The program complied [Source: Yahoo News via Rick Ross]. Jasmuheen maintains that "60 Minutes" stopped the test because "they feared [she] would be successful" [Source: Jasmuheen].

Despite scientific evidence contradicting their beliefs, some breatharians claim to live healthy lives without food or water. Wiley Brooks, founder of the Breatharian Institute of America, asserts he has been a breatharian for nearly 30 years. He appeared on the TV show "That's Incredible!" in 1981, where he supposedly lifted 1,100 pounds. On his website, he claims to lift 600 to 900 lbs. without exercise and to sleep just one to seven hours a week.

Somewhat curiously for a breatharian, he recommends drinking "diet coke [sic] in the 20 ounce and 1 liter sizes, in plastic bottles only," along with a double-quarter-pounder with cheese meal at McDonald's. For a mere $10 million, Wiley Brooks will initiate you into The Breatharian Institute of America.

Hira Ratan Manek, another prominent breatharian who passed away in 2022, asserted that he had been living solely on sun energy and water since June 18, 1995.

Is it possible for someone to survive without food? For a certain period, yes. People who have gone on hunger strikes have managed to survive for months. However, it's the absence of water that will ultimately cause harm.