9 of the Most Famous Real-Life Experiments People Performed on Themselves (10 photos)
Many people subject themselves to extraordinary lifestyle experiments. Often, they are openly defying societal norms or seeking answers to profound personal questions. Here is a roundup of nine incredible, real-life human experiments. 
1. A Man Spent an Entire Year Without the Internet
“I would really like to ‘like’ someone right now.”
Like many people of his generation, Paul Miller spent most of his life glued to the web. He had been constantly online since age 12, and by 14 he was already working as a web designer. But at 26, Miller suddenly realized that something vital was missing from his life. That’s when he decided to take a bold—and downright terrifying—step: unplug the ethernet cable and live without the internet for an entire year.
Naturally, the journey had its fair share of highs and lows, as well as several eye-opening discoveries. We won't spoil the whole story for those who might want to watch the mini-documentary or read his first-person account. However, one thing is certain: Paul has no plans to disconnect for that long again anytime soon. 
2. A.J. Jacobs Lives His Life “As an Experiment”
A.J. Jacobs is an editor-at-large at Esquire magazine, a thinker, a craftsman, and a human guinea pig. He has spent more than a decade asking himself unconventional questions, such as: “Could I outsource my entire life to India?” or “Can someone live by George Washington’s rules of civility in modern everyday life?”
He has published four books and countless magazine features documenting the extreme challenges he has tackled. His best-known book, “My Life as an Experiment,” even includes his long-suffering wife’s witty feedback on all his bizarre stunts. 
3. Colin Wright: Extreme Nomadism
There’s no shortage of buzz around this guy. Twenty-six-year-old Colin Wright seems to live on the edge in almost every sense. He embraces a nomadic lifestyle, hitchhiking across the globe and moving to a new country every four months—chosen entirely by a poll on his blog. He has also gone a full year without using money and spent six months refusing to wear the color black.
The goal behind all his experiments is to inspire people to think differently, embrace new experiences, and stay open to change. You can catch his inspiring TED Talk or check out his blog to cast a vote on his next destination. 
4. A Woman Living Completely Sugar-Free
Sugar is a delicious treat, but numerous studies link overconsumption to diabetes, obesity, tooth decay, and a host of other health issues. What’s worse, added sugar lurks in nearly every processed food product we buy. Don't believe it? Just check the ingredient list. But could you cut it out completely?
One woman did just that—she has been living sugar-free since January 1, 2008. Choosing to remain anonymous, she launched a blog cataloging which fruits contain sugar, sharing recipes, and offering practical advice for a sugar-free lifestyle. She encourages all of her readers to take the leap and follow her lead. 
5. A Man Lived for 30 Days on a Homemade Liquid Concoction
Rob Rhinehart is an amateur chemist who set out to solve world hunger. His goal was to engineer a cheap alternative to solid food that delivers all the essential nutrients the human body needs.
Through trial and error, he created a nutrient shake dubbed “Soylent”—named after “Soylent Green,” the fictional food from the eponymous movie made from human remains (Rhinehart’s formula, rest assured, contains no people). He claims he spent 30 days consuming nothing but Soylent, although skeptics were quick to allege he took dietary supplements on the side, arguing his stunt was questionable, if not outright reckless.
Still, the inventor isn't backing down. He plans to conduct clinical trials on human volunteers and run a Kickstarter campaign to raise funds—aiming to feed the hungry while turning a tidy profit for himself. 
6. A German Woman Has Lived Without Money for 16 Years
“You’ll never manage to give me your money.”
Heidemarie Schwermer lived through every boom and bust of modern capitalism. Her family once owned a thriving coffee distribution business, only to lose everything during World War II. Her life had always been a roller coaster of financial ups and downs. So when she turned 50, she decided to try an experiment: see if she could survive a single year completely cash-free.
She gave away all her savings and belongings, including the furniture in her apartment, keeping only the bare essentials packed into a small suitcase. Schwermer has now lived without money for 16 years, relying on bartering, picking up odd jobs hauling trash, and giving public lectures. She was also the subject of the documentary “Living Without Money,” copies of which are distributed free of charge. 
7. Daniel Suelo Abandoned Society to Live in the Desert
Daniel Suelo is another person who lives without a dime to his name, but unlike Heidemarie, he walked away from civilization entirely. He chose to live in the Utah desert, foraging and scavenging for his own food.
Daniel refuses to barter and rejects government assistance outright. Yet, he hasn’t completely forsaken the web: he posts regular updates on his blog about the “illusion” of money and invites people to join his “free tribe.” Would you ever be ready to join him? 
8. A Yogi Claims to Have Lived 70 Years Without Food or Water
If Prahlad Jani’s claims hold water, he has defied not just modern society, but the fundamental laws of human biology. Jani, affectionately known as Chunriwala Mataji, claims he stopped eating and drinking at the age of 11. Now 85, he lives as a cave-dwelling hermit and spends most of his waking hours in meditation.
Two clinical studies conducted in Indian hospitals—one in 2003 and another in 2010—attempted to test the hermit's extraordinary claims. The first observation lasted 10 days, and the second ran for 15. In both instances, Jani was kept in a sealed room without toilet facilities and was allowed only water for gargling. Doctors reported that he passed both trials with flying colors—neither eating nor defecating. However, the medical team never published their formal findings in peer-reviewed scientific journals.
The internet went wild over the story, and further studies have been discussed. Meanwhile, Jani seems blissfully unaware of the controversy swirling around him, continuing his peaceful life in his cave. 
9. A Family Went a Whole Year Without Buying Anything Made in China
This wasn't an exercise in protectionism or xenophobia. Sara Bongiorni simply wanted to show people just how dependent the world has become on international trade—specifically with China. In 2005, she pledged that her family would purchase only goods manufactured outside the world's most populous nation, despite Chinese imports dominating US store shelves.
Predictably, tracking down non-Chinese products—from everyday light bulbs to basic sneakers—proved to be an uphill battle. It turned run-of-the-mill grocery runs into exhausting scavenger hunts.
“Shopping became an adventure,” Sara noted.
