The History and Rise of Therapeutic Fasting in Russia
Since 1998, Russia has officially recognised therapeutic fasting as a legitimate medical treatment. But how did this once-controversial practice become accepted and embraced by patients and medical professionals? The captivating story is documented in Science of Fasting, a book and documentary directed by Sylvie Gilman and Thierry de Lestrade. At The Fast Way to Detox, we share this compelling film during our retreat’s movie night. Here's a glimpse into the fascinating history of therapeutic fasting.
The Seeds of Discovery: Nikolaev and the Origins of Therapeutic Fasting
Dr Yuri Nikolaev, a practising psychiatrist, initially focused on treating addiction through hypnosis. Fasting was not part of his approach until a pivotal event reshaped his perspective. During a hospital stay, Nikolaev immersed himself in the writings of Greek, Egyptian, Russian, and American authors, including Upton Sinclair’s groundbreaking 1911 work, The Fasting Cure. Sinclair’s ideas about fasting as a therapeutic tool were ahead of their time but ultimately dismissed by the United States medical establishment.
Fast forward to 1941, amid the chaos of war...
The Introduction of Fasting Therapy in Soviet Russia
Nikolaev’s interest in fasting gained traction through an old family acquaintance, Nikolai Narbekov, who had experimented with fasting to treat sailors suffering from intestinal disorders. Despite his recorded successes, Narbekov faced rejection from Soviet medical authorities. The idea of fasting as a medical treatment seemed unthinkable, given the prevailing belief that nourishment was essential for recovery. Moreover, post-war Russia’s collective trauma from food scarcity, famines, and the siege of Leningrad made the concept of fasting as a cure almost taboo.
Undeterred, Nikolaev began exploring fasting as a potential treatment for mental health conditions.
Pioneering Fasting Therapy in Psychiatry
Disillusioned by the limitations of conventional psychiatric treatments such as electroshock and insulin therapy, Nikolaev was inspired to try fasting. In 1948, he conducted an experimental trial at his psychiatric institution, but it ended in failure and controversy. The backlash led to his reassignment to a remote hospital.
There, Nikolaev faced a unique case: a schizophrenic patient who refused to eat. Instead of administering insulin or force-feeding, Nikolaev allowed the patient to fast under close supervision. After six days, the patient’s condition dramatically improved, marking a turning point in Nikolaev’s career. He observed that fasting altered brain biochemistry, offering a potential alternative to traditional treatments.
Though sceptics dismissed his findings as coincidence, Nikolaev remained steadfast, continuing his experiments and documenting his observations despite limited institutional support.
Expanding Applications: Narbekov’s Contributions
While Nikolaev focused on psychiatric disorders, Narbekov applied fasting to patients with somatic illnesses, such as rheumatism and skin conditions, at the Moscow Institute of Balneotherapy. Although results were inconsistent, patient testimonials overwhelmingly praised the approach.
Narbekov’s work underscored the need for rigorous scientific evidence to gain broader acceptance. For Nikolaev, the breakthrough came in 1955 with an unexpected event.
A Chance Encounter and the Rise of Fasting Therapy
When Nikolai Bulganin’s son, suffering from alcohol addiction, failed to respond to conventional treatments, Nikolaev’s wife suggested a fasting regimen. Over 20-25 days, the young man’s health was restored, and his addiction appeared cured. Minister Bulganin was so impressed that he provided funding for further research into fasting therapy.
With this support, Nikolaev refined his methodology and demonstrated its effectiveness across a range of conditions. He concluded that fasting worked holistically on the entire body, though the precise mechanisms remained unclear.
Fasting Therapy for Schizophrenia and Beyond
In a groundbreaking study involving over 7,000 patients, Nikolaev explored fasting therapy as a treatment for schizophrenia and other mental illnesses. The study revealed two key insights:
The patient’s involvement and commitment were crucial to treatment success.
The therapeutic relationship between doctor and patient was more significant than the specific diagnosis.
Nikolaev’s fasting regimen was far from passive. It involved strict protocols, including consuming at least two litres of water and herbal tea daily, taking temperature-controlled baths, full-body massages, and engaging in hours of exercise and walking—regardless of weather conditions.
The Legacy of Therapeutic Fasting in Russia
Today, Russia’s first specialised centre for therapeutic fasting, the Goryachinsk Sanatorium, continues Nikolaev’s pioneering work. Over 7,000 patients have undergone long-term fasting under medical supervision, following the Nikolaev method. This approach treats the whole person, combining physical, mental, and emotional care to promote healing and well-being.
Fasting is not simply about deprivation. As Nikolaev proved, it is a carefully curated process designed to restore the body’s natural balance and resilience.