It makes sense to fast temporarily in order to "jolt" the body into action (reduced external input activates internal compensation processes) as our genetics have ancient embedded protocols developed to push through resource restrictions.
If not for your listed reasons - do it to knock the rust off of safely stored emergency equipment.
I've noticed that once you get past the first "hump" of hunger pangs, famish subsides into the background, and I'd imagine it is at this point where the metaphorical "adrenaline" dosage is injected by nature to make available the bodies reserve
energy to get through inevitable temporary nutrient deficiency back in our hunter-gatherer days.
> I've noticed that once you get past the first "hump" of hunger pangs, famish subsides into the background, and I'd imagine it is at this point where the metaphorical "adrenaline" dosage is injected by nature to make available the bodies reserve energy to get through inevitable temporary nutrient deficiency back in our hunter-gatherer days.
I haven't personally fasted as such in this manner but was always quite fascinated and am quite fascinated by how various Muslim colleagues and friends are able to do it during the summer with 45 degree heat and so on. All of them say that the first two days are the toughest while the rest of the month of Ramadan seems basically the same as the rest of their lives. It does put into perspective as to how much of our "hunger" is psychological than resource needs.
I've not intentionally fasted over sustained periods - my reference comes from being inconvenienced by hunger in the middle of necessary activity and persisting anyways. I should try to discipline myself for a few days and see what happens to my psyche.
I've wondered if high function brain pharmaceutical intervention (depression pill) succeeds because of a similar effect - the side effects themselves are the "cure" because the body is purposely affected at the base of Maslow's pyramid. This distracts the user from existential angst or threats out of the realm of control of the individual because this is a self inflicted "problem" that can be solved (guaranteed) by patience and temporary suffering.
If not for your listed reasons - do it to knock the rust off of safely stored emergency equipment.
I've noticed that once you get past the first "hump" of hunger pangs, famish subsides into the background, and I'd imagine it is at this point where the metaphorical "adrenaline" dosage is injected by nature to make available the bodies reserve energy to get through inevitable temporary nutrient deficiency back in our hunter-gatherer days.