Self-cannibalism

Self-cannibalism is the practice of eating parts of one's own body, also called autocannibalism[1] or autosarcophagy.[2] Generally, only the consumption of flesh (including organ meat such as heart or liver) by an individual of the same species is considered cannibalism.[3] In line with this usage, self-cannibalism means the consumption of flesh from one's own body. While some texts use this strict definition,[4] others use the term autocannibalism in a wider sense that includes the consumption of hair or nails from one's own body.[5]

Both humans and some animal species occasionally practice self-cannibalism. In humans, it can be a symptom of a mental disorder, but there are also a handful of people who have voluntarily consumed an amputated body part. In other cases, people were forced to eat parts of themselves as a form of torture.

A similar term that is applied differently is autophagy, which specifically denotes the normal process of self-degradation by cells. While typically used only for this specific process, autophagy has nonetheless occasionally been used as a general synonym for self-cannibalism.[6]

  1. ^ "Man-eaters: The Evidence for Coastal Tupi Cannibalism". mei(sh) dot org. Archived from the original on 25 June 2006. Retrieved 3 May 2007.
  2. ^ Mikellides AP (October 1950). "Two cases of self-cannibalism (autosarcophagy)". Cyprus Med J. 3 (12): 498–500. PMID 14849189.
  3. ^ "Cannibalism Definition". Dictionary.com. Retrieved 17 July 2023.
  4. ^ Yilmaz, Atakan; Uyanik, Emrah; Şengül, Melike C. Balci; Yaylaci, Serpil; Karcioglu, Ozgur; Serinken, Mustafa (August 2014). "Self-Cannibalism: The Man Who Eats Himself". The Western Journal of Emergency Medicine. 15 (6): 701–2. doi:10.5811/westjem.2014.6.22705. PMC 4162732. PMID 25247046.
  5. ^ Mbabazi, Joan (17 January 2021). "Auto-cannibalism; strange but real mental illness". The New Times. Retrieved 17 July 2023.
  6. ^ Benecke, Mark (25 August 2013). "Body Modification, Autophagy". Retrieved 16 July 2023.