Cannibalism: What happens to your body when you eat human meat?

Cannibalism, the act of consuming human flesh, is one of the oldest and most taboo practices in human history. While it has been documented in some ancient cultures for ritualistic or survival purposes, modern societies largely regard it as abhorrent. Because beyond ethical and psychological implications, eating human meat has profound effects on the human body, many of which are harmful and even fatal. This article explores what happens to your body if you were to consume human flesh.

1. Nutritional Content of Human Meat

Human meat is composed of proteins, fats, and other nutrients, much like other forms of meat. Studies have estimated that a typical adult human body contains approximately 125,000 calories of muscle and fat. However, the nutritional content is not what makes human flesh dangerous. Instead, the risks lie in the pathogens and prions that can be transmitted through consumption.

2. Risk of Prion Diseases

One of the severe consequences of eating human meat is the potential to contract prion diseases, such as kuru or Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD). Prions are misfolded proteins that can cause other proteins in the brain to misfold, leading to brain damage.

Kuru, a neurological disorder, was famously documented among the Fore people of Papua New Guinea, who practiced ritualistic cannibalism. Symptoms include uncontrollable laughter, tremors, and eventually death. Prion diseases are incurable and always fatal.

3. Transmission of Diseases

Human flesh can carry pathogens that are harmful to other humans. Consuming infected meat can lead to the transmission of diseases such as hepatitis, HIV, and other bloodborne illnesses. Even cooking the meat thoroughly may not eliminate all risks, especially with prions and heat-resistant pathogens.

4. Psychological and Social Effects

Eating human flesh often has significant psychological repercussions. Even in survival situations, individuals who resort to cannibalism frequently report long-lasting guilt, trauma, and mental health issues. Furthermore, societal stigma can lead to ostracization, deepening emotional distress.

5. Ethical and Legal Consequences

Apart from physical and psychological effects, consuming human meat is illegal in most parts of the world. In addition to charges of desecration, murder, or manslaughter, engaging in cannibalism can lead to long-term imprisonment and societal condemnation.

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6. The Risk of Toxins

Human tissues may contain environmental toxins such as heavy metals, pesticides, or other pollutants that accumulate in the body over time. Eating human flesh could expose you to these toxins, potentially causing organ damage or other health complications.

While cannibalism has been a historical and cultural reality in some parts of the world, the health risks far outweigh any potential benefits. The possibility of contracting fatal prion diseases, bloodborne illnesses, or toxins makes eating human meat an extraordinarily dangerous act. Coupled with the psychological, ethical, and legal implications, it is clear why cannibalism remains one of humanity’s strongest taboos.

If you or someone you know is in a survival situation, seeking alternative sources of food is always the safer and more ethical option.