4 ms·

Fasting is a periodic religious observance for me. The main effect I have noticed is increased irritability, but then I've never done cognitive tests while fast

• throwaway123x2 7y ago
  That might be from the caffeine withdrawals. I'm trying it wihtout caffeine at all this year, and it's been great.
  • brink 7y ago
    Espresso has no calories
    • Tharkun 7y ago
      Grandparent is talking about religious fasting, not a diet. It's likely not about calories.
      • Zaak 7y ago
        Indeed. It's abstaining from all food and drink for a goal of 24 hours. I generally manage about 12, but it's something I'm working on improving.
        • beagle3 7y ago
          Do note that almost everyone else only abstains from food, but does drink a lot of water (often with electrolytes). It makes a huge difference, irritability and otherwise.
          • Zaak 7y ago
            That's good to know. Fasting for me is partly an exercise in choosing to do something that's uncomfortable for my body to achieve a higher purpose. It is explicitly not supposed to be damaging or unhealthy in any way (people who are sick etc are discouraged from fasting). I will look into staying hydrated while abstaining from food.
  • blotter_paper 7y ago
    I'm trying it with caffeine pills; also great!
  • jawilson2 7y ago
    Or, a carb-heavy diet. When I fast while doing keto, it's almost not noticeable, and I'll often just forget to eat and suddenly realize I haven't eaten in a day or more. If I've cheated on carbs and try to jump back into fasting, I'm ready to commit murder after 10 hours.
    • Zaak 7y ago
      Thanks for the info. I tend to have a carb-heavy diet. I wonder if doing a low-carb diet for a couple days before fasting would help. Or do you think it would take longer than that to acclimate?
• copperx 7y ago
  Some people might just be built differently. Take me, for example. Ever since I was a teen I have fasted until midday most days (for lack of time) and it significantly affects my cognition. I start feeling irritable at about 10am and unable to concentrate because of feelings of hunger, stomach grumbling, and slight shakiness. I am a teacher now, and I can tell how my cognition is doing every morning depending on my performance in the classroom. I find that I often mumble and screw up my grammar while lecturing if I haven't had breakfast. I am not calm, but I would not say I feel "energized." I am clearly anxious. My anxiety gradually increases until I have lunch. Then I feel calm and with the ability to think. It might be genetic. My grandmother was known to be unable to function without breakfast. My mother was the same way.