Hi, so I do fasting for the mental clarity benefits. I weigh probably about \~150lb, and I’m a stem major in college and I focus so much better while fasting. However, I usually break the fast around 4-6pm and I’ve been getting more panic attacks recently after eating, and I feel like I’m in a tense and worried state. This usually lasts for an hour or two after I want to go to sleep. I just feel so good while fasting it’s kind of addicting. I couldn’t get to sleep until about 2am last night, and my rhythm feels off a lot of days due to late eating. Also sometimes if I break my fast too late (7-8pm) I get intense nausea for like 30 minutes. I do the fasting as I am more productive and don’t allow myself to eat until the chores, homework, and sometimes lifting is done. does anyone have any advice. If I eat 3 steady meals, I have a lot more anxiety and I feel slower cognitively then if I was fasting. Any advice appreciated.
Seems like youre putting a lot of stress on yourself with this routine. When your utilizing intermittent fasting you should not feel worse.
That being said the nausea can be combated by breaking your fast slowly perhaps with a smaller meal or snack at first and lots of liquids.
As far as anxiety and panicking feelings go you may want to ask a medical professional for some help. Fasting is not a cure for anxiety, depression, or anything mental. It may have beneficial effects, but isn’t the best tool for the job. (This excludes religion or spiritual belief when it comes to that, you do you)
Just because your fast help with anxiety it doesn’t mean that it is a long term treatment for anxiety. Being in college you have access to mental health; don’t suffer needlessly when you have resources available. I would resist being put in antidepressants but a lot can be accomplished with proper cognitive behavioral therapy.
Just imagine how much more effective fasting would be if you could get that unrelated malady under control.
What are you eating? Food can definitely cause anxiety. I cannot eat soy as it spikes my anxiety (and yes, it’s a particular kind of anxiety, so I can usually backtrack it to eating soy). I also get anxious from eating sunflower seeds/oil (seed oils are generally bad for you). If you keep a food diary it could help pinpoint if certain foods are causing anxiety.