The Starvation Study, conducted by Ancel Keys in the 1940s, revealed profound psychological and physiological effects of starvation on 36 male volunteers, including extreme preoccupation with food, mood disturbances, and distorted self-image. The findings underscored that the intense focus on food and subsequent overeating behaviors are natural responses to severe calorie restriction, highlighting the complex relationship between diet, mental health, and the body’s biological need for nourishment.