Editing Bene Gesserit (section)

=== Internal organic-chemical control ===
Just as the ''prana-bindu'' allows the Bene Gesserit to precisely control each muscle and nerve, they also have complete conscious control over the functions of their internal organs and body chemistry.  A Sister can completely control her breathing and heart rate to the degree that she can appear dead to most tests even after intense physical exertion. They can control their need for food and water to the extremes of hunger and thirst, and even commit suicide at will by simply stopping their hearts or shutting down their brains. The Bene Gesserit are therefore immune to poisons, as they can simply change the chemical makeup of any harmful substance in their body and render it harmless. It is hinted that should a Bene Gesserit wish to, she could slow her aging process dramatically, controlling every aspect of her metabolism. It is suggested that a Sister would never attempt this, as it might call attention to the Sisterhood and reveal too much of their abilities. In ''[[Children of Dune]]'', Jessica realizes that her daughter Alia has done this, which is her first sign that her daughter is sinking into [[#Abomination|Abomination]].<ref name="Children">{{cite book |last=Herbert |first=Frank |date=1976 |title=[[Children of Dune]] |publisher=Berkley Publishing Corporation |isbn=0-399-11697-4}}</ref>

One of the most significant biological abilities of the Bene Gesserit is their control of their own [[menstrual cycle]]s, and their ability to control (at conception) their child's sex. Jessica was ordered to bear only daughters to the Atreides, but defied her Bene Gesserit sisters (out of her love for the Duke) and had a son, Paul Atreides. The Bene Gesserit conspired against the Padishah Emperor [[Shaddam IV]]'s desire to have a male heir and instructed his Bene Gesserit wife to give him only daughters, such as [[Princess Irulan]].