Some evidence shows it may help boost mood and stave off anxiety.
The available research is relatively new and based on small sample sizes.
Still, many people whove tried it report that fasting often gives their mental health a needed boost.
lacaosa/Getty Images
What Is Fasting, Exactly?
First, its helpful to understand what fasting is.
Fasting as amindfuldietary choice isnt all about arbitrarily skipping meals or going without food for days on end.
People who fast for health and well being do so deliberately, following one of several methods.
The most common punch in of fasting is intermittent fasting, which may take several different forms.
Dr. Dayananda says that the benefits may vary based on what pop in of fasting you do.
Shorter fasting periods may improve mental clarity and focus for some individuals, she says.
Fasting affects brain function in a few different ways, Dr. Feldman says.
Additionally, fasting increases something known as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF).
BDNF is important for learning, memory, andmood regulation, Dr. Feldman says.
But when it comes to specific disorders, research is not robust enough yet.
A 2023 study linked Ramadan fasting to reduced interpersonal sensitivity and phobic anxiety, for example.
Dr. Dayananda doesnt recommend fasting to certain groups, like pregnant women and children.
Li Z, Heber D.Intermittent Fasting.JAMA.
2020;10(1):e01444.
doi:10.1002/brb3.1444
Longo VD, Mattson MP.Fasting: molecular mechanisms and clinical applications.Cell Metab.
