How fasting and vegetarianism is perceived to support psi among adepts

Many spiritual traditions include accounts of miracles and supernormal powers (known as ‘psi’, Parapsychological Association, 2015) which are associated with fasting and vegetarianism. Some authors have related these dietary practices to both spirituality and psi. However, there has so far been little empirical research in this area. We present a thematic analysis of interviews with seven ‘psi adepts’ (those who practise psi in a professional capacity) to examine their understanding of how fasting and vegetarianism are perceived to affect their sensitivity to psi. Results demonstrate that participants regard fasting as facilitating psi through purification and its effects on the gut; and that vegetarianism facilitates psi because it enhances mental clarity, supports general health, and because food has purported subtle energies. If supported by subsequent empirical work, these results may help to improve performance in psi tasks; support the health of adepts; and offer insight into proposed theories of psi.