The Dark Fast: How 24 Hours Without Light and Food Affects Your Body

Imagine spending a full day in total darkness, with no light at all—and on top of that, you don't eat a single thing. This might sound like a strange idea, but combining a 24-hour fast with a period of total darkness would create a unique set of physiological and psychological changes. Here's a look at what would likely happen to your body during this unconventional experience.

The Science of a 24-Hour Fast

When you fast, your body goes through a clear progression to find energy. For the first few hours, it burns through the glucose from your last meal. Once that's gone, it taps into glycogen, a stored form of glucose in your liver and muscles.

After about 12 hours, your body switches gears in a process known as metabolic switching. It stops relying on carbs and starts burning fat for fuel. Your liver begins creating ketone bodies from fatty acids, which can power your brain and other tissues. This state, called ketosis, is often linked to the benefits of fasting, like improved focus and clarity.

While some people feel a mental boost, others might experience common side effects like hunger, headaches, irritability, and low energy during this period.

The Impact of Total Darkness

Spending a full 24 hours in complete darkness primarily affects your body's internal clock, also known as your circadian rhythm.

Your body is designed to produce melatonin—the hormone that helps you sleep—when it's dark. In total darkness, this production would be amplified, likely making you feel very drowsy and tired. Additionally, light is crucial for regulating other hormones like cortisol (which keeps you alert) and serotonin (a mood regulator). Without any light, this natural rhythm gets thrown off, which can be disorienting.

Psychologically, the absence of light can be challenging. Some people might find it calming, but for many, sensory deprivation can increase feelings of anxiety or isolation.

The Combination: Fasting and Darkness Together

When you put these two practices together, their effects can become more intense. The heightened melatonin production from the darkness combined with the lack of food could make you feel even more lethargic and tired.

The physical stress of fasting, such as hunger and low energy, coupled with the psychological stress of being in total darkness, could also lead to a greater sense of irritability and disorientation. While some theories suggest this combination might help push the body deeper into ketosis, this is a highly specific area with very little scientific research to back it up.

Important Considerations

This is not a widely recommended or studied practice. The combined effects of a prolonged fast in total darkness are largely unknown, and there are potential risks involved. If you are ever considering a fast, especially one with extreme conditions like this, it is always a good idea to consult a healthcare professional first.

↠ sharing is caring...