Recently, I embarked on a two day dry fast—no food, no water. My decision to undertake this experiment came from a combination of curiosity and a desire to explore the potential health benefits of fasting. With a growing interest in wellness, I’ve been experimenting with various approaches to optimize my health, energy levels, and mental clarity. Dry fasting intrigued me because it’s said to push the body to adapt in ways that promote healing, detoxification, and regeneration.
My Intentions for the Dry Fast
I’ve always been interested in testing the limits of what my body can do. My lifestyle experiments, including this dry fast, are driven by a desire to understand how certain practices can affect my energy, focus, and overall well-being. I was particularly curious to see how my body and mind would react to being deprived of not only food but also water—something most of us are taught is essential every day.
I also wanted to test how my body would respond in terms of mental clarity and energy management. Would I experience fatigue, brain fog, or physical weakness? Or would the experience leave me feeling more rejuvenated and focused? The promise of increased mental sharpness and physical regeneration from fasting drew me to the challenge.
Why Experiment With Dry Fasting?
Dry fasting is a controversial practice, but it’s gaining more attention due to its potential health benefits. While longer fasts might be extreme for most, short-term dry fasting has been linked to several positive effects on the body and brain. Some of the reasons I decided to experiment with dry fasting include:
- Cellular Autophagy: Dry fasting is believed to stimulate autophagy, a process where the body cleans out damaged cells and regenerates new ones. This can help detoxify the body and may even slow down the aging process. Studies have shown that fasting activates autophagy, though the science is still emerging, particularly in humans.
- Mental Clarity: Fasting has long been associated with increased mental sharpness. When the body enters a fasting state, the brain is thought to release more norepinephrine, a neurotransmitter that boosts focus and cognitive function. Many people report feeling more alert and clear-headed during a fast, and I wanted to experience this firsthand.
- Fat Burning and Metabolic Reset: Without food or water, the body enters a state where it starts to burn fat for energy. This process, called ketosis, can help reset the metabolism. I was curious to see how my body would transition to fat-burning mode and how it would impact my energy levels throughout the fast.
- Hormonal Balance: Fasting is believed to help regulate insulin sensitivity and promote a balanced hormonal state, particularly in terms of growth hormone production. Growth hormone is essential for muscle recovery, fat burning, and overall vitality, and short-term fasting has been shown to boost its levels.
- Improved Discipline and Mindfulness: Fasting isn’t just a physical challenge—it’s a mental one too. By abstaining from food and water, I hoped to cultivate a deeper sense of discipline and mindfulness. The process forces you to listen closely to your body, tune into its needs, and distinguish between real hunger and habits of consumption.
For my 2 day dry fast, I wanted to keep my daily schedule and just carry on with my routine. No changes or adjustments—just business as usual. Keep an active day including work, gym, family time, and other. The idea was to see how my body would handle the fast while I kept up with my regular life. It wasn’t about slowing down, just seeing if I could thrive while staying active and doing what I do every day. Turns out, I could!
How I Prepared
Before starting the 2 day dry fast, I felt confident that my body was well-nourished and ready for the challenge. 80% to 90% of my daily calories come from nutrient-dense red meat, including a daily portion of cow liver, which is rich in essential vitamins and minerals. I also include locally grown fruits like avocado, cucumber, papaya, and occasionally watermelon. In addition, I eat small amounts of dairy, like goat yogurt and kefir, sourced from a local farm.
Because I focus on high-nutrient foods, I’m rarely hungry and typically eat once or twice a day, depending on my schedule. My meals are flexible and can happen around 2 PM or as late as 6 PM, but I try to avoid eating after 7 PM, as I’ve noticed it negatively impacts my sleep quality. For drinks, I stick to water, coffee, and occasionally carbonated water.
Given my regular eating habits and nutrient intake, I felt well-prepared for this dry fast. I had already done a few 24-hour dry fasts in the past, and I’d incorporated physical activities to test the idea that the body can still function normally during a short dry fast. With this foundation, I felt ready to push myself a little further.
How I Broke the Fast
After 46 hours of fasting, I still felt good—no real hunger, just a bit of thirst. The way I broke the fast isn’t something I’ve read about before, but it worked well for me.
I started by sipping water mixed with a teaspoon of Baja salt and a little ice. The first small sip was incredibly satisfying, as I could feel the water cooling my throat and settling in my stomach. I took my time, drinking slowly over 20 minutes while preparing my food. I began with a spoonful of chopped liver, and surprisingly, I still didn’t feel hungry. Afterward, I enjoyed a small bowl of chicken soup made with bone broth, which was delicious and left me feeling full and content.
That night, I slept deeply and woke up feeling refreshed and energetic the next morning. Interestingly, I didn’t feel any hunger or thirst until much later in the day, which allowed me to smoothly transition back into my normal routine.
Day 1: Easier Than Expected
Going into the first day of my two day dry fast, I was prepared for it to be tough. No food, no water—it sounded like a challenge. But surprisingly, it wasn't as bad as I thought. I started the day with a barefoot walk with my dog, throwing in a few sprints to keep things interesting. Sure, I felt a bit thirsty in the morning and missed my usual cup of coffee, but it didn’t hit me as hard as I expected.
Work went on as usual, and I even hit the gym for a chest and biceps workout. It felt good to keep moving and stay active. After the workout, I took a nap—no electronics, just real rest for my brain, and it was incredibly refreshing.
By the end of the day, I was feeling more alert than usual, which was surprising. I thought falling asleep might be difficult with this extra energy, but when night came, I slept well and woke up the next morning feeling refreshed and ready to tackle day two. All in all, the first day was way easier than I anticipated—no major energy drops, no strong cravings, just a steady flow.
Day 2: High Energy & a Stupid Mistake
Day two kicked off much like the first—early morning dog walk and sprints to get the blood flowing. I expected this day to be harder, but for the most part, it was surprisingly smooth. It was a Saturday, so I had a bit more flexibility in my schedule, which meant taking it easy. But, of course, I couldn’t resist a trip to the beach.
By mid-morning, I was out in the sun, surfing for about an hour. This is where things get tricky. The saltwater hitting my lips and tongue made me feel more thirsty than I had felt throughout the entire fast. It wasn't unbearable, but the thirst was definitely stronger after that session. Still, my energy stayed high, and I managed to catch some challenging waves. As an afterthought, I realized this probably wasn’t the smartest move during a dry fast.
After the surf, I took a walk with a friend on the beach, then headed home for another walk with the dogs. Despite not eating or drinking for nearly two days, I felt surprisingly strong and didn’t have any overwhelming cravings for food or water. There were a couple of moments where I felt dizzy, especially getting up quickly from bed, but nothing that stopped me from moving through the day.
By late afternoon, the countdown to breaking the fast had begun, but I didn’t feel desperate. The biggest surprise was how manageable it all felt, even after surfing and staying active. My energy levels were high, and despite the occasional thirst spike, I wasn’t overly focused on eating or drinking. Day two wasn’t just easier than expected—it showed me how resilient the body can be, even under unusual circumstances.
Some Sources I Checked
- https://www.drberg.com/blog/my-opinion-on-dry-fasting-dr-berg
- https://drmindypelz.com/the-benefits-of-dry-fasting/
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xk4jJef_Z0k
- https://health.clevelandclinic.org/dry-fasting
- https://www.bcm.edu/news/dawn-to-dusk-dry-fasting-leads-to-health-benefits-in-the-study-of-immune-cells
