„Fani głodówek (głodówka lecznicza)”, czyli o amatorskich poglądach na terapię

Therapeutic fasting has a long history. Nowadays, as an alternative therapy method, they enjoy great popularity. Descriptions and theories about them can be followed not only in various publications, but also on the Internet: in online forums, posts and comments on Twitter, videos on YouTube, social media among others. A group created on Facebook under the name “Fans of hunger (therapeutic hunger)” is of a particular interest. Posts that can be followed here perfectly illustrate the popularity of this alternative method of treatment and the influence of any publications encouraging starvation on its followers. They also show, in many cases, a lack of reflexivity, a strongly emotional and, to a low degree, rational attitude to all information, which is also portrayed by the aversion to official medicine and scientific research. The article points out the approach to starvation of the discussed group of amateurs, most often lacking medical knowledge, and attempts to show that complete trust in unproven and insufficiently documented methods of treatment, following current fads in an unreflective manner and without checking their possible real effects, may even have a tragic end.