Can Fasting Be Therapy? I Went to This Retreat in Germany to Find Out
The article explores the therapeutic benefits of fasting at the Buchinger Wilhelmi retreat in Germany. Founded by Otto Buchinger, the retreat emphasizes a holistic approach to fasting that integrates spiritual, emotional, and physical well-being. Guests often report profound transformations, with many returning annually for the community and support.
- ▪Buchinger Wilhelmi is known for pioneering modern fasting protocols since the 1950s.
- ▪The retreat focuses on fasting as a means of spiritual and emotional renewal rather than just weight loss.
- ▪Guests frequently experience epiphanies and a sense of community during their stays.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
Wellness & SpasCan Fasting Be Therapy? I Went to This Retreat in Germany to Find OutWriter Jane Alexander checks into the destination medispa that pioneered modern fasting protocols to get the skinny, as it were.By Jane AlexanderMay 22, 2026Winfried HeinzeSave StorySave this storySave StorySave this storyLake Constance in Germany glitters with bands of gray, silver, and ice blue. A blackbird chatters noisily and I catch the scent of magnolia. For once I’m not worrying about anything. I’m not distracting myself with my phone or a book or a bar of candy. I’m halfway through a 21-day fast at Buchinger Wilhelmi—the spiritual and scientific birthplace of modern fasting—and my preconceptions have all been blown out of the water.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at Condé Nast Traveler.
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