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Cannibalism, the act of consuming human flesh, has been a topic of fascination and horror throughout history. While often considered in cultural or survival contexts, the psychology behind cannibalistic behaviour is complex and multifaceted. In modern times, instances of cannibalism are rare and typically linked to severe mental health disorders or extreme circumstances.

Keywords: Cannibalism and mental health, Mental disorders associated with cannibalism, Schizophrenia and cannibalism, Psychosis and extreme behaviours, Antisocial Personality Disorder and cannibalism, Psychopathy and cannibalistic tendencies, Paraphilic disorders and cannibalism, Psychological causes of cannibalism

Historically, cannibalism has been practiced in various cultures, often linked to rituals, warfare, or survival. Some societies viewed cannibalism as a way to gain power or spiritual strength from enemies, while others engaged in it as part of funerary rites. For example, endocannibalism—the consumption of deceased community members—was practiced by the Fore people of Papua New Guinea. However, these cultural practices are distinct from pathological cases of cannibalism in modern society, where the act is considered abnormal and is often associated with deviant behaviour.

In modern cases, cannibalism is often tied to severe psychopathology. The most notorious cases of cannibalism, such as those involving serial killers like Jeffrey Dahmer, are linked to extreme mental disorders. Dahmer, who admitted to consuming parts of his victims, was diagnosed with borderline personality disorder, schizotypal personality disorder, and psychotic disorders. Cannibalistic behaviour in such cases is often driven by desires for control, domination, and sometimes sexual gratification. It is viewed as an extreme manifestation of underlying antisocial personality disorder (APA, 2013).

Another form of cannibalism, often termed survival cannibalism, occurs in extreme situations where food is scarce, and individuals resort to cannibalism as a last means of survival. One of the most well-known instances is the Donner Party in 1846, where a group of American pioneers resorted to cannibalism to survive harsh winter conditions. Survival cannibalism differs significantly from the pathological form, as it arises from necessity rather than psychological deviance (Lindenbaum, 2004).

Cannibalism is often linked to several severe mental disorders. These include:

1. Schizophrenia: Some individuals with schizophrenia experience delusions or hallucinations that can drive extreme behaviours like cannibalism.
2. Psychosis: Severe psychotic episodes can disconnect individuals from reality, leading to violent actions, including cannibalism.
3. Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD): Individuals with ASPD, particularly those with psychopathic traits, may engage in cannibalism as part of extreme violence or desire for control.
4. Paraphilic Disorders: Cannibalism may sometimes be associated with sexual arousal linked to violence or unconventional behaviour.

In such cases, the behaviours are typically driven by deep-rooted psychological disturbances and impaired emotional regulation.(Hickey, 2015).

There may also be a neurological basis for cannibalism. Research into the brain’s reward system suggests that individuals with psychopathic tendencies or impulse control disorders may have impaired function in the prefrontal cortex, the area of the brain responsible for decision-making and moral judgement. Additionally, abnormalities in the amygdala, which regulates emotions like fear and aggression, could contribute to extreme behaviours, including cannibalism (Blair, 2007).

The psychological profiles of famous cannibals often reveal a complex interplay of mental health disorders, traumatic backgrounds, and distorted belief systems. Understanding these profiles can shed light on why some individuals engage in such extreme acts.

Jeffrey Dahmer, also known as the Milwaukee Cannibal, is one of the most infamous cases of modern cannibalism. Dahmer murdered 17 young men between 1978 and 1991, and his crimes included not only murder and cannibalism but also necrophilia and dismemberment (Silva, Ferrari, & Leong, 2002).

Psychological Analysis: Dahmer was diagnosed with multiple psychiatric disorders, including borderline personality disorder, schizotypal personality disorder, and psychotic disorder. His cannibalistic acts were partly motivated by his desire to feel a sense of possession and control over his victims. Dahmer expressed a need to keep his victims with him forever, which he attempted to achieve through cannibalism and creating “zombies” by drilling holes into their skulls and injecting them with acid (Schwartz, 1992).

Albert Fish, also known as the “Brooklyn Vampire,” was an American serial killer and cannibal active in the early 20th century. He was convicted of murdering and cannibalising young children, and he claimed to have committed these acts under the command of God.

Psychological Analysis: Fish exhibited symptoms of severe mental illness, including schizophrenia and sadomasochism. He experienced auditory hallucinations and believed that God was instructing him to commit his crimes. Fish’s cannibalistic acts were part of his broader pattern of sexually sadistic behaviour, which included self-mutilation and the infliction of extreme pain on others (Resnick, 2007).

Issei Sagawa, a Japanese student, murdered and cannibalised a Dutch woman, Renée Hartevelt, in Paris in 1981. Sagawa was declared legally insane and was deported to Japan, where he has lived freely since his release from a psychiatric hospital.

Psychological Analysis: Sagawa’s cannibalism was motivated by a lifelong obsession with cannibalistic fantasies and the desire to “possess” his victim completely. He did not exhibit the typical characteristics of a violent offender and was described as polite and intelligent. Sagawa has publicly stated that his crime was driven by an uncontrollable desire, which he could not resist despite understanding its moral implications (Blanco, 2017).

Given the extreme nature of cannibalistic behaviour, treatment and rehabilitation are challenging. Individuals who engage in cannibalism often have severe psychiatric disorders that require comprehensive and long-term mental health treatment. Therapeutic approaches may include:

• Psychotherapy: Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) and other forms of psychotherapy can help individuals understand and manage their violent impulses and distorted thoughts.
• Medication: Antipsychotic medications can be effective for those with psychotic disorders, while mood stabilisers and antidepressants may help manage underlying mood disorders.
• Inpatient Treatment: Due to the severity of their behaviour, many individuals who have committed acts of cannibalism may require long-term inpatient treatment in secure psychiatric facilities.

The concept of cannibalism has been popularised in literature, film, and media, often presented as a symbol of ultimate depravity and horror. Books like “The Silence of the Lambs” and films such as “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” have embedded cannibalism into the public consciousness as a terrifying taboo. While these depictions are fictional, they influence societal perceptions of cannibalism, often associating it with madness, danger, and savagery.

The psychology behind cannibalism is complex, spanning cultural, historical, and individual psychological factors. In modern cases, cannibalism is often tied to severe mental health disorders, where individuals may engage in such behaviours due to distorted realities, desires for dominance, or impaired neurological function. While rare, cannibalism continues to captivate and disturb society, reflecting deep-seated fears about human behaviour and morality.

• American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.
• Blair, R. J. R. (2007). The amygdala and ventromedial prefrontal cortex: Functional contributions and dysfunction in psychopathy. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 363(1503), 2557–2565.
• Blanco, J. I. (2017). Issei Sagawa: The Japanese Cannibal Who Walked Free. Crime Library. Retrieved from [website].
• Haggerty, K. D. (2009). Modern Cannibals of the Wilds: Genocide and the Consumption of Indigenous Bodies. Cultural Studies Review, 15(1), 120-144.
• Hickey, E. W. (2015). Serial Murderers and Their Victims (7th ed.). Cengage Learning.
• Lindenbaum, S. (2004). Thinking about cannibalism. Annual Review of Anthropology, 33(1), 475-498.
• Resnick, P. J. (2007). The Etiology of Cannibalism. Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law, 35(2), 153-163.
• Schwartz, J. (1992). Jeffrey Dahmer: The Milwaukee Cannibal. Forensic Science International, 55(1), 83-90.
• Silva, J. A., Ferrari, M. M., & Leong, G. B. (2002). The Case of Jeffrey Dahmer: Sexual Serial Homicide from a Neuropsychiatric Developmental Perspective. Journal of Forensic Sciences, 47(6), 1347-1359.

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