The holy month of Ramadan is, for the members of the Muslim community, a relay station to enhance their spiritual sense and faith. During the month of Ramadan, Muslims restrict themselves from having any food from dawn to dusk, even with it’s availability and accessibility. The most visible benefit of this practice could be a substantial decrease in body fat percentage. And for the same, doctors often prescribe fasting as a treatment plan. However, the psychological benefits behind fasting are seldom discussed. Here are some reasons for you to fast to improve your mental health.
The key feature of fasting is self-restriction. And it is difficult to say ‘no’ to a delicious meal with no apparent reason. This self-restriction can actually have a long term effect on our frontal lobe. Studies conducted by developmental psychologists suggest that the habit of self-restriction reflects upon one’s capability for executive functions like ‘decision making’ and ‘problem-solving’, which directly gets integrated into the Intelligence Quotient of the person. So, in other words, a month of intermittent fasting (IF) might make you a bit smarter as well.
Many studies also show a minute increase in cognitive functions as a result of fasting. To find the roots, neuropsychologists have conducted numerous clinical experiments with rats and other animals. And the findings of these studies have further provided evidence for the increased mental well being through fasting. During a deprivation of food, the brain seems to be more active than usual. This is mainly because our brain adopts a new technique to provide energy, rather than the usual glycolysis (converting glycogen into glucose). After 3–4 days of fasting, the liver starts converting body fat into a chemical known as ketone, which is an excellent source of energy for our brain. This process makes the brain more cognitively alert.
Fasting also facilitates the production of the protein- Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), thereby building more neurons for better efficiency. Another interesting phenomenon observed during fasting is a process known as autophagy. Autophagy is the breakdown of older neurons and recycling them into new ones. This self-eating process purifies the brain cells of its toxins and promotes better cognitive functions. It has also been linked to a delay in neurodegenerative disorders. Fasting also slightly raise the secretion of catecholamines by the adrenal medulla. These hormones- epinephrine and nor-epinephrine, popularized as ‘fight-or-flight hormone help in enhancing the mood along with a proportionate production of dopamine. Serotonin levels also go up as a result of intermittent fasting, resulting in quality sleep. There have been correlational studies that suggest a close link between fasting and mental health. Often fasting is used a coping strategy to counter depression as well.
These are just some of the psychological benefits one gains from fasting. Most of the time, to take care of our minds, all we have to do is let go of things rather than grab hold of them. Restricting yourself from eating for a few hours might be the best treatment for many of your mental problems- and it is not just cheap, it saves you some money as well. However, certain conditions have to be met to ensure that we benefit from the experience. The fasting should be intermittent — a maximum of 17–19 hours. And the meals in between shouldn’t be too heavy nor too light. Proper sleep also helps the cause. For Muslims, fasting in the month of Ramadan is also a spiritual experience; controlling their emotions, promoting positive thoughts, and a general vibe of unconditional love, all of which in itself are reasons to improve the quality of our mental health.
