re: "voodoo death", https://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.521.4302&rep=rep1&type=pdf https://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1

re: "voodoo death", https://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.521.4302&rep=rep1&type=pdf https://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.52... > Cannon stated that voodoo death resulted when all body forces were mobilized and maintained for an action which never came. > He felt that the death was primarily due to prolonged overstimulation of the adrenals by the sympathetic nervous system. Richter, however, felt that the demise was due to a complete "giving up," a feeling of utter hopelessness and helplessness; in effect, a parasympathetic death. > Zoological experts have observed this in the deaths of wild animals who find themselves suddenly caged in an apparently hopeless situation. > The thin veneer of civilized intellect covering man's primitive emotions serves as an armor to prevent vulnerability to this type of influence. It is suggested that when this armor proves too thin, modern man may also succumb, albeit less directly and more slowly, than did his less sophisticated predecessors. This stuff is fascinating to me. PS: I have to say I'm sorry for the sometimes aggressive tone in some of our exchanges here, this is a topic that's close to heart.