Fasting for Anxiety

[Stick]

Not for weight loss, I'm not trying to lose weight. But, I've noticed when I do short 1-2 day fasts or even when I just skip breakfast (and do an intermittent fast), my anxiety seems to be a lot less. I think this is because it's kind of like a sedative, like it's harder to think about stuff or have a lot of energy when I haven't eaten, and so it's also harder to get stuck into an anxious thought cycle.
When I google why this is, I get kind of mixed results. I don't know why, I just know it helps me. Just thought I would share in case anyone else wants to try it and see if it helps them too.

 

[Chupacabra 44]

Not for weight loss, I'm not trying to lose weight. But, I've noticed when I do short 1-2 day fasts or even when I just skip breakfast (and do an intermittent fast), my anxiety seems to be a lot less. I think this is because it's kind of like a sedative, like it's harder to think about stuff or have a lot of energy when I haven't eaten, and so it's also harder to get stuck into an anxious thought cycle.
When I google why this is, I get kind of mixed results. I don't know why, I just know it helps me. Just thought I would share in case anyone else wants to try it and see if it helps them too.

If you haven't tried it, I'd recommend you consider a ketogenic diet. Perhaps you are feeling better running off ketones vs glucose. Based on your information, it seems your body and mind might prefer ketones for fuel.

I've done virtually every dietary intervention as possible for myself, including multiple five day water fasts based losely on the research of Valter Longo, Director of Longevity at the University of Southern California. Going on a ketogenic carnivore diet for three months 100% resolved all my fibromyalgia and joint pain. And, per my endocrinologist, it spiked my testosterone so high it made my levels look as if I was on steroids.

Unfortunately, I had to come off this diet based on how my body responded adversely in other ways. There is no standard response to this diet, or most others, which I find absolutely fascinating.

There are plenty of anecdotal stories and some studies of those who have resolved mental and physical health issues from ketogenic diets.

Ketogenic diets were used initially as the sole treatment for epileptic kids. The anticonvulsant Lamictal is a front line med for bipolar disorder. Anyone with bipolar, in particular, and with motivation to feel better should consider the ketogenic diet.

Be advised that it's best to work closely with your physician to track cholesterol, blood sugars, and liver enzymes, especially if one is relatively older. (Stick since you're still a teen, this diet might work great for you). Doubtful this is a good choice for those with cardiovascular issues or possibly some other conditions.

I'm fairly knowledgeable with this diet. Feel free to tag me here or PM me if you have any questions.

 

[Deleted member 1465]

I wondered too if the anxiety might be a result of a carb reliance, if going without food lessens the anxiety. I don't know if that idea holds any water though.

I have looked into keto. It can be very effective for many conditions if done correctly, completely bypassing the glucose metabolism.
However, it's hacking your endocrine system into starvation mode and I'd suggest it's not safe to dabble in unless you know what you are doing, have done the research and have medical assistance to keep a constant watch on blood test results, as suggested.
It's not an easy diet and is a serious commitment of time, energy and money. Also, no one has any evidence as to the long term effects of the diet, only short term anecdotal reports. Many people do it for a short time to lose weight by stopping insulin laying down fat from excess carbs. However, they then stop. Others consider it a way of eating rather than a short term diet.
I contemplated it, but wasn't confident in my ability to do it safely without proper supervision. I haven't ruled it out, either, but I need a proper diagnosis first and if I did it, a good nutritionist and a supportive GP.

 

[XYZ]

I live with GAD and have been for all my life. I have never heard of fasting as a way to lower anxiety... but I have nothing to lose, so I'm actually going to give this a try.

I don't eat dinner as I sleep better if I don't eat anything after lunch, so it won't be hard to do a full day's fasting. Not sure how two days would go, though, I suspect hunger would kick in big time.
Thanx for sharing

 

[Gentleman]

That wouldn't be healthy. If you are struggling with anxiety a therapist or psychiatrist will help.

 

[TooConscious]

Most definetly, at the start of covid when the shelves were empty I had no choice but to fast, makes you more miserable in my case I'm miserable anyway but afterwards you feel you've been given an energy/clarity boost... Unfortunately because my days are numbered I'm eating about 5000 kcal of shit like ice cream biscuits sweets it's not even that I enjoy them it's you get addicted to the sugar. It's a tremendous waste of money/health if you've got addictive personality like me stay clear of refined sugar products its as bad as class a drugs for health when you get to the suicidal 5000kcal+ eating

 

[Stick]

If you haven't tried it, I'd recommend you consider a ketogenic diet. Perhaps you are feeling better running off ketones vs glucose. Based on your information, it seems your body and mind might prefer ketones for fuel.

I've done virtually every dietary intervention as possible for myself, including multiple five day water fasts based losely on the research of Valter Longo, Director of Longevity at the University of Southern California. Going on a ketogenic carnivore diet for three months 100% resolved all my fibromyalgia and joint pain. And, per my endocrinologist, it spiked my testosterone so high it made my levels look as if I was on steroids.

Unfortunately, I had to come off this diet based on how my body responded adversely in other ways. There is no standard response to this diet, or most others, which I find absolutely fascinating.

There are plenty of anecdotal stories and some studies of those who have resolved mental and physical health issues from ketogenic diets.

Ketogenic diets were used initially as the sole treatment for epileptic kids. The anticonvulsant Lamictal is a front line med for bipolar disorder. Anyone with bipolar, in particular, and with motivation to feel better should consider the ketogenic diet.

Be advised that it's best to work closely with your physician to track cholesterol, blood sugars, and liver enzymes, especially if one is relatively older. (Stick since you're still a teen, this diet might work great for you). Doubtful this is a good choice for those with cardiovascular issues or possibly some other conditions.

I'm fairly knowledgeable with this diet. Feel free to tag me here or PM me if you have any questions.

That's interesting, now that I think about it just might be that I run better on ketones. My half-brother and his mom have been on the keto diet for a while now for weight loss, so I think I could just go to them for advice. I do appreciate this, and I'm glad that it has helped you even if you've had to stop the diet.
Personally, I've found that I just run best doing intermittent fasting, but the keto diet is definitely something I will keep in mind.

I live with GAD and have been for all my life. I have never heard of fasting as a way to lower anxiety... but I have nothing to lose, so I'm actually going to give this a try.

I don't eat dinner as I sleep better if I don't eat anything after lunch, so it won't be hard to do a full day's fasting. Not sure how two days would go, though, I suspect hunger would kick in big time.
Thanx for sharing

Good luck! Don't try too long of a fast right away, it's okay to just ease into it. And if at any point you start to feel sick and unwell (not just uncomfortable/craving food), that's a big sign your body needs to eat.
As Chupacabra 44 pointed out, it might be ketones and not fasting that causes this kind of response, so don't be discouraged if you can't fast. There are always other things you could try, and just because something helps me doesn't mean it will help you, and that's okay.

I wondered too if the anxiety might be a result of a carb reliance, if going without food lessens the anxiety. I don't know if that idea holds any water though.

I have looked into keto. It can be very effective for many conditions if done correctly, completely bypassing the glucose metabolism.
However, it's hacking your endocrine system into starvation mode and I'd suggest it's not safe to dabble in unless you know what you are doing, have done the research and have medical assistance to keep a constant watch on blood test results, as suggested.
It's not an easy diet and is a serious commitment of time, energy and money. Also, no one has any evidence as to the long term effects of the diet, only short term anecdotal reports. Many people do it for a short time to lose weight by stopping insulin laying down fat from excess carbs. However, they then stop. Others consider it a way of eating rather than a short term diet.
I contemplated it, but wasn't confident in my ability to do it safely without proper supervision. I haven't ruled it out, either, but I need a proper diagnosis first and if I did it, a good nutritionist and a supportive GP.

It sounds like you've put a lot of thought into this, and if you feel like there might be consequences for you then it's a good idea not to try it just yet.

That wouldn't be healthy. If you are struggling with anxiety a therapist or psychiatrist will help.

I do see a therapist, but skipping breakfast is a lot cheaper than seeing her more often, so I'm just trying to do what I can. If it makes me feel better and I am still eating the same types/volume of food, I don't think it's a bad short-term solution. I might need a doctors guidance long-term, but I'm hopefully not going to stay alive long-term, anyways.

Most definetly, at the start of covid when the shelves were empty I had no choice but to fast, makes you more miserable in my case I'm miserable anyway but afterwards you feel you've been given an energy/clarity boost... Unfortunately because my days are numbered I'm eating about 5000 kcal of shit like ice cream biscuits sweets it's not even that I enjoy them it's you get addicted to the sugar. It's a tremendous waste of money/health if you've got addictive personality like me stay clear of refined sugar products its as bad as class a drugs for health when you get to the suicidal 5000kcal+ eating

I'm sorry TooConscious, that sounds really difficult. I'm not sure what advice I can give you, but if you are trying to beat your sugar addiction then I am rooting for you! Good luck

 

[Gentleman]

The pros outweight the cons with fasting.For immediate relief you can try tea, deep breathing, and mindfulness. For long term progressive exposure and medical help work miracles. Good luck :)

 

[goodbyebunny]

I've done a ketogenic diet before, like some of the others here mentioned. It can be helpful. The most difficult thing is maintaining a diet like that when you live with family members that don't take it seriously or accommodate it.

 

[Chupacabra 44]

The ketogenic diet isn't starvation mode. There is a medical definition associated with starvation mode and switching from sugar burning to fat burning does not meet the definition. In fact, for most people extended water fasting does not meet the definition either. From my understanding, it isn't until the body starts cannibalizing healthy organ tissues for fuel that this definition comes into play. The body is intelligent and only starts cannibalizing organs as a fuel source of last resort. People water fast for thirty days plus without going into starvation mode. These individuals, and most individuals, have ample stores of body fat to fuel themselves for extended water fasts.

Theoretical the diet does not require a whole lot of time and does not need to be super expensive. For example, I can choose to eat nothing but eggs, and be in ketosis. In fact, there was a study involving an elderly man who eats something like 22 eggs each day and has done so for a prolonged period of time. It was unclear if this was all he ate, but he believed the egg consumption was keeping him alive.

It did take me tons of time and research for this diet, but this is just my personality and part of my own disfunction. And, to clarify my earlier post I did a hard core keto/carnivore combined diet for three months, but over the past ten years I've done repeated keto diet experiments on myself.

There is some long term anecdotal stories of those on either ketogenic diets or carnivore diets. Personally, from all I've absorbed on this topic, I believe this is not a diet of first choice. Don't fix what isn't broken.

My conclusion is it is probably best to try cycling in and out of the diet on a seasonal basis, just like our prehistoric ancestors likely were forced to do. But, since I'm posting on a suicide forum, it seems an appropriate venue to advocate others take the diet into consideration. If one is running out of options and is considering chugging SN or N, then what is there to lose? For those people, give it a shot! I can promise that the ketogenic diet will cause you less harm than either SN or N.

A simple and somewhat cheap starting point would be to eat full fat ground beef with eggs cooked in butter. Sprinkle in a little broccoli or other cruciferous vegetables, if you want, and you are good to go.

 

[Gentleman]

*Correction. I meant to say the cons outweight the pros with fasting.

 

[NeverEndingProblem]

If you google "Chris Palmer MD" he has a lot to say about mental illness and Keto - not sure if he's into fasting though. Currently there's been no proper studies backing up the 'claims' - but there seems to be alot of anecdote (on the internet of course) of people coming off/reducing significantly medications using diets. I've tried keto many times and my mood is significantly improved without my brain requiring glucose to function and running on ketones/fats etc. Its just a tricky diet because its easy to get off track, and go back to old eating habits. E.g right now Im eating like shit now, and cannot motivate myself to go through two weeks of 'keto flu'.

Also its worth checking out "fasting and keto" on "dietdoctor.com". 'Snake Diet' is another keyword you could put into google to learn more - although the guy behind is incredibly insane - there's a lot of funny stuff of him on youtube etc.

If you find dietary changes help you - its worth educating yourself more and finding out how your body works.

Dr Georgia Ede and Dr Ted Naiman are others that have used keto for mental health. Alot of these keto guru's only eat twice a day (i.e intermittant fast)..