Many people in the network claim that cannibalism is similar to drug addiction, stating that once a cannibal has tasted human flesh, they cannot physically stop. We conducted research to verify if there is any scientific evidence supporting this claim.
It is important to clarify that this assertion refers only to the consumption of human flesh and not to the act of stalking a victim, committing murder, and dismemberment. For the purpose of this article, cannibalism will be defined as the act of humans consuming human flesh. Studies of serial killers reveal that their brains and psyche function differently, leading to the experience of pleasure from causing suffering.
Several messages on the internet claim that cannibalism leads to physical addiction, but they do not provide a source for this information. However, the name Karen Hylen from the Summit Malibu Treatment Center is mentioned in several of these messages. Despite searching the largest medical database, PubMed, no author with this name was found. Nevertheless, a search on Google Scholar for scientific publications does mention Karen Hylen, although not as an author of any article. Shelby Miller from the University of Cincinnati cited her in her 2019 work “Biopsychosocial Model of Cannibalism.” Miller’s article claims that in her practice, Hylen discovered that cannibals “report a feeling of intense euphoric pleasure that affects the brain similarly to drug use.” The article does not provide any information about the scientific research that Hylen conducted to obtain this data, but it does reference the primary source of this claim – a 2012 article by journalist David Moye from Huffington Post. Moye’s article also mentions Karen Hylen’s workplace, the Summit Malibu Treatment Center. Although Hylen is not listed as an employee there, her LinkedIn page states that she currently works there.
The center’s website is intriguing, as its main focus is on treating addiction and mental illnesses. Based on the details provided in the “Treatment Services” section, the center seems to concentrate on treating alcoholism, as well as heroin, fentanyl, and opioid addiction. The center utilizes various methods, including meditation, Kundalini yoga, and Reiki, which is a pseudoscientific healing system that involves the laying on of hands.
Additionally, the page that displays the center’s accommodation options is also worth mentioning.
According to the description and photos posted on the center’s website, guests can enjoy a beautiful beach view from the backyard, which includes a heated pool and a luxurious Jacuzzi. The living room is decorated in a zen style, providing a serene environment for meditation. Each spacious room also serves as an ideal place for relaxation, and a housekeeper is present from Monday to Friday to ensure that the facilities remain in pristine condition throughout the guests’ stay. Based on this information, it does not seem likely that Karen Hylen encountered cannibals while working at this establishment.
A Google search for Karen Hylen reveals her appearance on American Health Journal, where she discusses the treatment of drug addiction, but she does not mention anything about cannibalism. Quotes from her on the treatment of dysmorphophobia, a disorder related to body image, as well as her initial interview in the Huffington Post, have been posted by various sources such as the British tabloid Daily Mail and the Christian Post. However, there is no other online information available to confirm Hylen’s expertise in matters related to cannibalism.
No scientifically validated publications have been discovered on the topic of cannibalism causing addiction. The review article on cannibalism in the reputable journal, Medical News Today, which includes a scientific fact-checking department, does not mention addiction. Similarly, The Smithsonian journal does not discuss any addiction resulting from the consumption of human flesh.
In addition, there have been several documented cases of forced cannibalism. For instance, in 1972, a plane crashed in the Andes Mountains with 40 passengers and five crew members. Some died immediately, while others passed away in the following days due to their injuries. The survivors waited for 72 days for rescue and resorted to cannibalism during that time. All 16 people who were eventually rescued had consumed human flesh, but there is no evidence that any of them subsequently experienced physical dependence on human meat.
Cases of cannibalism during the Holodomor famine in Ukraine, the blockade of Leningrad during World War II, and the Khmer Rouge regime in Cambodia have also been reported. Cannibals were often executed without trial, but it can be presumed that some individuals who consumed human flesh during these times survived. Nonetheless, there is no data to suggest that they subsequently suffered from addiction or displayed any inclination towards cannibalism.
In conclusion, the claim that cannibalism causes addiction lacks scientific evidence and is based on a single unverified statement by Dr. Karen Hylen. There is no published research or documented cases of cannibalism that support this assertion. While cases of forced cannibalism have occurred in history, there is no evidence that those who consumed human flesh subsequently developed a physical dependence on it. Therefore, it is crucial to approach such sensational claims with a critical mindset and to rely on scientific evidence rather than unverified statements.
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