This is not meant to be a scientific study, but a reference for those curious about the effects of a hungerstrike on the body. I sent a list of questions that I thought would be relevant to people within the animal rights community. Again, there is nothing at all scientific about my approach, and I make no claims about the usefulness of the information gathered.

(all questions pertain to the time of the hungerstrike)

age: 24

sex: female

height: 5'9"

number of hungerstrikes undertaken and their durations

2 (1 was 3 days & 1 was 29 days)

duration of hungerstrike (I guess choose one or amalgamate the info if it is consistent)

what you consumed during the strike (water, juice, salt, vitamins, etc.) exact quantities if possible

for the 3 day strike, I was on a thirst strike for 2 days and for the 29 day strike, I consumed about 10 ounces of apple juice a day & lots of water (over 64 ounces a day)

For the next five questions, "before" means up to the point of the strike, during is obvious, and after means any time within a month of ending the strike. Please give the number of days between ending the strike and consuming the substance.

did you smoke before, during, or after the strike

no, no, no

did you drink alcohol, before, during or after the strike

no, no, no

did you drink caffeinated drinks before, during, or after strike

no, no, no

did you drink coffee before during or after the strike

no, no, no

did you take aspirin or ibuprofen before during or after the strike

no, no, no

amount of activity engaged in (jail/vigil/rest, school work, work, exercise, debates, etc.) again as specific as possible

jail, discussions, reading, exercise (stretching, sit-ups, upper body stretches), letter writing, interviews

weight before and after

126, don't know

% body fat before and after (or if you don't know, below, at, or above "normal" body fat levels for your sex and height)

below average body fat before and after because I run and engage in lots of physical activity at work

muscle build (non-athletic, athletic, body builder)

athletic

your state of mind during the strike. did it change considerably. when and how. Were you able to think clearly

I was able to think clearer than ever before. It was a very spiritual experience.

the state of your body. energy levels, bowel movements, feelings of discomfort or hunger, all at different phases of the strike.

I was always, to some degree or another, hungry. I had no bowel movements after the first few days. My energy levels began to wane a lot at day 26 and 27.

how did you sleep during the strike. did the amount or quality of sleep change and how so. Did you dream and what about

I didn't sleep that well because every hour the guards would shine a light in my cell (& everyone's cell). I also didn't sleep well because the noise bothered me. As far as dreams are concerned, I'd have to look back in letters to figure out if I can recall what they pertained to.

how did you come off the strike. What did you consume when you first came off the strike, and how did your body feel and handle the food

Unfortunately, I wasn't able to order what you're supposed to after coming off a hungerstrike. My parents were in contact with a nutritionist, and I wasn't able to follow her recommendations or the info I had obtained prior to the hungerstrike. I also was limited as to what I could eat because I don't do enriched or refined sugars, so they gave me a baked potato and Fantastic Foods soups. I got gas and some stomach pains because the food was too heavy to start out with. I also ate plain oatmeal which my stomach seemed pleased with.

did you experience any negative health affects during or after you came off the hungerstrike (acid reflux, gastritis, ulcers, bowel or digestion problems, etc.)

No, but I had to slow down when I returned to work 10 days later.

anything else that you experienced that would be helpful for others to know

I can't explain the amount of clarity I experienced while hungerstriking. It was unbelievable! It made me a stronger activist and a better person, and was the single most life changing event that I've experienced.

Back to Hungerstrike
last updated 11/29/00.