> Voodoo death, a term coined by Walter Cannon in 1942 also known as psychogenic death or psychosomatic death, is the phenomenon of sudden death as brought about by a strong emotional shock, such as fear. The anomaly is recognized as "psychosomatic" in that death is caused by an emotional response—often fear—to some suggested outside force. Voodoo death is particularly noted in native societies, and concentration- or prisoner of war camps, but the condition is not specific to any particular culture.[1]
This still aligns with the observation that psychological state can impact blood pressure and similar heart-related physiology. This is not surprising and not indicative of anything very deep, as we know very well we can consciously control our rate of respiration which also directly correlates with pulse and blood pressure.
It isn't surprising then that, just like your heart can fail from exaggerated effort, it can also fail from psychological stress forcing the same behaviors.
The same is not true for your liver or bone marrow. You have 0 conscious control over those, and psychological factors have 0 impact on these.
> 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.
> Voodoo death, a term coined by Walter Cannon in 1942 also known as psychogenic death or psychosomatic death, is the phenomenon of sudden death as brought about by a strong emotional shock, such as fear. The anomaly is recognized as "psychosomatic" in that death is caused by an emotional response—often fear—to some suggested outside force. Voodoo death is particularly noted in native societies, and concentration- or prisoner of war camps, but the condition is not specific to any particular culture.[1]