How to Die a Good Death

Hospice is often framed as “giving up,” but, ironically, hospice patients sometimes actually live longer. I take a look at hospice and palliative care.

This is the first of three videos on how to have control over your death. Please take care while watching these videos if this is a difficult topic for you. I’ll explore voluntarily stopping eating and drinking in VSED: The Benefits of Fasting for Life Termination ( ) and VSED: The Downsides of Fasting for Life Termination ( ).

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Thanks for watching. I hope you’ll join in the evidence-based nutrition revolution!
-Michael Greger, MD FACLM

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Leroy Johnson
 

  • Artist UK says:

    Thank you for tackling this subject and putting a spotlight on it. We need to talk about the subject of how we want to die. Thanks again.

  • Paul Cohen says:

    A friend who had volunteered for Hospice quit in disgust, stating that euthanasia was frequently practiced there, that fatal doses of pain killers were often deliberately administered.

    • Diane Ladico says:

      With or without patient consent?

    • Patrick Blouin says:

      If done with patient consent but it’s against the law, then good on your friend for not contacting authorities. If done without consent, that’s murder. Was there an investigation? Was it even reported to authorities?

  • Bonnie Poole says:

    “Loving and Leaving the Good Life” is a book by Helen and Scott Nearing describes a beautiful life and Scotts decision to stop eating and drinking to hasten his death. Published in 1992. few have heard of this practice.

  • Krwiomocz.Bogurodzicy Ⓥ says:

    From _How Not To Die_ to _How To Die._

  • John says:

    Thank you for your usual useful, informative lecture. As an old guy this is a topic you think about…!…🥳

  • Diane Ladico says:

    Thank you for the compassionate overview of a difficult but necessary topic. To all those who give quality end of life care-many blessings on you and those you love. May you find the same kindness when you are in need.

  • Melanie Heufert says:

    I love that he’s covering this as I have stage 4 cancer and a few months ago hospice was around the corner. I’m better since but am still looking into changing residency to one of the now 10 states that legalized aid in dying.

    Fun fact: In Switzerland the acceptance rate of “assisted dying” is over 70%.

  • M A says:

    I experienced losing a loved one by a cancer. I was one of two care givers and it was heart-braking. When there is no way to save a person, it is not a good idea to prolong the suffering, and it is better to focus on her well-being on the last months and weeks. I would like to receive a honest comment by the physician whether there is a chance to overcome the cancer (or whatever) or not, and if there is no hope, I’d rather choose VSED.

  • gjb211 says:

    Americans have the mindset to avoid death and talking about it. Thank you for broaching this important subject

  • Anatoliy Dyachenko says:

    Смерть больше затрагивает остающихся, чем уходящих.

  • NutritionFacts.org says:

    Please take care while watching these videos if this is a difficult topic for you.

  • Gilberto Ramirez Pinheiro says:

    Not a difficult subject to discuss. Death is an experience all must endure. From the time we are born, we begin the process.
    Leaving is part Living.
    Many times, we don’t choose , The Time when We Leave..Thank You..waiting for your second installment on , A Good Death..

  • Emil says:

    This got very real, but I can appreciate the scope and versatility of the information provided. Harm-reduction is the most compassionate approach!

  • Wild Geese says:

    As a death worker myself, thank you so much for covering this and raising awareness of VSED and palliative care 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻 Death is the modern world’s greatest taboo, yet something we all face. Optimizing the experience has implications for the one dying and the ones who love them. ❤ If I am lucky enough to experience a prolonged death in which I still have some agency, I will likely choose VSED for myself.

  • roathripper says:

    Thank you for your videos, Dr Greger!

  • Jason Bills says:

    Thanks for talking about this difficult subject.

  • Susan on life says:

    So glad that we have MAID here. I’m getting older and in the past I thought I would have to go the ice berg route when I reach a point where quality of life is very poor. Now we can choose who, when and where, and pass with dignity and in control of the process.

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