Hi guys! I fast frequently- usually rolling 23h fasts or a 72h a week fast. I’ve dealt with anxiety all my life, but it’s very manageable and rarely overwhelming. Lately, I’ve noticed it settling in overwhelmingly right around the 24 to 30 hour mark. I have no idea why. My workload is similar, my social life is pretty linear. I was wondering if anyone has experienced anything of the like or has read any material about it. I would like to rule out fasting as a cause for this, because I obviously don’t want to have to stop.
Fasting causes cortisol to spike which is the stress hormone. I too have anxiety and I notice that fasting exacerbates the symptoms especially after 48 hours for me. I avoid fasting for longer that about 72 hours because of this. I’ve also noticed that if I don’t eat any carbs aka keto, I have higher cortisol and more anxiety. So eat carbs in moderation and avoid keto. Other things that raise cortisol levels are caffeine and high intensity exercises such as running.