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The Tragic Quest for Mind Over Matter: Lessons From Dr. Selwyn A. Russell’s Lethal 1906 Experiment
A respected physician accidentally starved to death more than a century ago trying to unlock the mysteries of willpower
Throughout our lives, we’ve all experienced countless moments where we find ourselves irresistibly drawn to something delectable, even when we are already satisfied or perhaps even full. This struggle between our mind and body has long been associated with the delicate balance of weight loss or gain. Mind over matter has often been touted as an effective approach to tame these cravings and behaviors. Remarkably, over a century ago, a respected New York physician embarked on a quest to prove the profound influence of mind over matter, only to tragically perish from unintended self-starvation along the way.
The January 13, 1906 issue of The New York Times reported on the tragic passing of Dr. Selwyn A. Russell, a well known physician from Poughkeepsie. A devout scientist until the end, his death came about due to his diligence in testing various theories about mind over matter, particularly how they related to food and eating.
The good doctor held certain beliefs that drove his work, including that generally, people eat more than they…
