Breatharian

A Breatharian is one who follows a diet in which no food (and possibly no water) is consumed. Breatharians claim that they are sustained by 'light energy' (or prana) alone, and that this 'diet' is an option for anybody, once the proper techniques for accessing it are made known.

There is no scientific proof that the claims of the breatharians are true. The only breatharian to undergo scientific scrutiny -- Ellen Greve (aka Jasmuheen) -- became ill and bowed out after a few days without food or water, citing stress as the cause for her symptoms.

The well-publicized deaths of Verity Linn and Lani Marcia Roslyn Morris whilst attempting to enter the breatharian "diet" have helped ensure hostility towards the movement.

The breatharian movement also suffered a credibility blow some years ago when another of its leading lights, Wiley Brooks, was caught sneaking into a hotel and ordering a chicken pie.

External links

• Skeptic's dictionary article about Breatharianism (http://skepdic.com/inedia)
• BBC story: Guru condemned as 'dangerous' (http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/uk/scotland/newsid_703000/703279.stm)
• BBC story: Woman 'starved herself to death' (http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/uk/scotland/newsid_453000/453661.stm)