Pica is defined as “the persistent eating of substances such as dirt or paint that have no nutritional value,” and it’s the umbrella term for the 10 bizarre eating habits we’re about to dive into. Some folks turn to these odd cravings for comfort, others as a coping mechanism after trauma, and a few simply can’t resist the strange allure. Either way, the stories that follow are as fascinating as they are unsettling.
10 Heavy Metal
Q: What do 18 bicycles, 15 shopping carts, seven television sets, six chandeliers, two beds, and a coffin all have in common?
A: They’ve all been devoured by 57‑year‑old Michel Lotito of France – a true culinary daredevil who even added an entire Cessna 150 airplane to his menu.
Lotito belongs to the pica club, but his case is extraordinary. Doctors say his stomach lining and intestines are unusually resilient. He pulverizes metal into bite‑size shards, gulps them down with copious water, and somehow manages to process the iron. Ironically, he struggles with ordinary foods like bananas and hard‑boiled eggs. Nicknamed “Monsieur Mangetout” (Mr. Eats All), he’s even taken a bite out of a section of the Eiffel Tower.
9 Street Meat
Cooking Instructions: Remove cat from side of road. Submerge the odorous carcass under running water for up to four days, or until the smell fades. Cook thoroughly and serve.
This is the playbook of Arthur Boyt, a 72‑year‑old English taxidermist who has been feasting on roadkill for over three decades. He prefers to turn the bodies of badgers, cats, barn owls, and other critters into meals rather than discarding them after his stuffing work. His garage freezer resembles a bizarre pantry stocked with polecats, swans, buzzards, and even reptiles.
When asked about his most memorable bite, Boyt chuckles, “The best roadkill I ever tasted was… a Labrador.” He describes the flavor as “pleasant, a bit like lamb,” though the notion of munching on a beloved pet understandably raises eyebrows.
8 The Human Leech
Ever imagined sipping another human’s blood? For Julie Caples, a 45‑year‑old from Pennsylvania, it’s a monthly ritual. She welcomes willing donors into her home, lets them slice open a vein, and then drinks up to half a gallon of fresh blood each cycle. Caples claims the crimson fluid leaves her feeling “stronger and healthier,” and she reports a noticeable boost in energy after each session. The practice, however, raises serious concerns about potential blood‑borne illnesses.
7 Gas Guzzler
Chen Jejun, a 71‑year‑old from China, has turned gasoline into his personal pick‑me‑up. He swallows roughly 3.5 liters of petrol each month. The habit began in 1969 when, after a bout of cough and chest pain, village elders suggested a shot of kerosene as a remedy. The next day he felt revitalized—and inadvertently discovered a lifelong addiction, consuming about 1.5 tons of gasoline over four decades.
This gasoline craving cost Chen his marriage and family life. When his wife and children failed to intervene, he relocated to a solitary cottage where he could indulge without interruption. Medical experts believe his body has gradually built a tolerance, explaining why he remains alive despite the toxic intake.
6 Scorpion Scarfer
Most people steer clear of scorpions, fearing their venomous sting. Yet Li Liuqun, a 58‑year‑old Chinese man, has turned the arachnid into a snack. After being stung and feeling outraged, he plucked a scorpion from the ground and bit off its head.
He discovered the creature’s venom tasted “sweet and nutty,” and he’s since become hooked, devouring up to 30 scorpions in a single sitting. Chinese physicians say Liuqun has built an immunity to the venom and may even be physiologically dependent on it—an addiction that rivals more conventional drug dependencies.
“It’s delicious,” Liuqun declares, emphasizing that the experience is far more than a novelty; it’s a full‑blown craving.
5 Foam Party
Adele Edwards, a 31‑year‑old Floridian, has spent two decades unzipping couch cushions and munching the foam inside. Her preferred preparation involves pulling foam pieces outdoors, coating them in dirt, and then devouring them. She says the habit began at age 10 after witnessing her parents’ turbulent divorce, evolving into a coping mechanism that’s now a full‑blown addiction.
Edwards estimates she consumes the equivalent of seven sofas and three pillows each year. Doctors worry the practice could be fatal; she was once hospitalized for an intestinal blockage and diagnosed with iron deficiency. Supplements are now part of her regimen in hopes of curbing the foam‑eating frenzy.
4 Love You To Death
Casie, a 26‑year‑old who appeared on TLC’s My Strange Addiction, took grief‑driven devotion to an extreme. After her husband Shawn died suddenly from an asthma attack, she began carrying his ashes everywhere. One day the ashes spilled onto her hand, and instead of wiping them off, she licked them clean.
She’s now ingested roughly one pound of Shawn’s cremated remains, describing the flavor as a grotesque blend of “rotten eggs, sand, and sandpaper.” The ritual reflects a poignant, if unsettling, attempt to stay connected to her lost love.
3 Soap
Remember those childhood moments when a parent would “wash your mouth out with soap” for swearing? Tempestt Henderson, a 19‑year‑old from Florida, took that punishment to a whole new level, swallowing five bars of soap each week. She’s also developed a fondness for laundry detergent.
Tempestt says the habit began after a breakup with her boyfriend Jason, who left for college. She feels “cleaner” overall when she ingests soap rather than merely washing with it. Diagnosed with pica, she’s undergoing cognitive‑behavioral therapy and working toward recovery.
2 Urine
Carie, a 53‑year‑old woman, has turned her own urine into a daily beverage, consuming roughly 80 ounces each day. She also uses it for brushing her teeth, bathing, and even nasal irrigation via a neti pot. Carie, battling cancer, believes the practice helps her cope with the disease, despite the obvious health concerns.
1 Milk Of My Daughter
Tim Browne, a 69‑year‑old Londoner, started drinking his daughter Georgia’s breast milk mixed with cereal after being diagnosed with colon cancer. Inspired by reports of an American man who claimed the milk aided his own recovery, Tim hopes the nutrients will help his battle against the disease.
He describes the taste as “not unpleasant, but slightly pungent.” While not driven by pica, his unusual dietary choice reflects a desperate search for any potential cure. Shawn Larson, a former music producer, now spends his time writing, mastering photography, and raising his family.