Many have messaged me about fasting. They have asked how the not eating part of this experiment was for me so I decided to write a bit about that.
I fasted for 10 days for the first time about 10 years ago. I did a fast called “The Master Cleanser. You can read about it here if you are interested.
It involves only drinking a lemon drink that consists of fresh squeezed lemon juice, maple syrup, and cayenne pepper for the duration of the fast. They say that this drink will help rid the body of toxins that are being released through the process of fasting. I am convinced that it works.
When I first fasted back in 2003 it was incredibly challenging. I continued to work my day job that involved taking people out to lunch and dinner and I would just order tea. I would try to keep the fact that I was fasting a secret so that the focus of every meeting wouldn’t become about my fast. I also realized that if people knew I was fasting they would feel guilty for eating.
I made it back in 2003. The first 4 days were excruciating. However, I found out that on day 5 the hunger pains had subsided and were replaced by an incredibly clear and focused state of mind. This allowed me to develop ideas that I had and focus on areas of spiritual growth that were difficult to master while not fasting.
After the fast was over I didn’t want to go back to eating the way I did before. It wasn’t that I was horribly unhealthy, but before the fast I didn’t give to much thought about what I put into my body. From that point on I was very conscious of the foods I ate and tried to stick to mostly dishes that were heavy on fruits and vegetables.
The next time I attempted a 10 day fast was a couple of years later. That time it was much easier. Possibly because I knew what to expect and had adjusted to the feeling of hunger. But I have come to the belief that the toxins are what were causing the intense hunger and fatigue that I experienced the first time around. Some say that your body actually goes through withdrawals from substances like sugars, and unhealthy fats. I believe this to be true.
Last year I attempted the same fast but I did it for 20 days. I had been eating a mostly raw food diet at the time. I found the 20 day fast to be very easy. I didn’t even get fatigued but experienced the same clarity and focus that were present the previous 2 times. Even though I had taken an 8 year break from fasting all together. At the end of the 20 day fast I found myself not really wanting to eat. The state of mind I was in was so good that I didn’t want to lose it in exchange for eating. But I think there were some spicy lime cashews I had lying around and they were tempting enough to make me give in.
I lost a lot of weight during the 20 day fast. But I was also not at my ideal weight when I started it. I was about 185lbs and during the fast I dropped down to about 165. When the fast was over my weight increased to 170. From then on I fluctuated between 170 and 175.
Before I decided to make this a magic mushroom fast it was just going to be a good old fashioned regular fast. In nature, alone, and with nothing to distract me. It was only after hearing the Radiolab episode on Bliss that I decided to add the magic mushroom twist to the mix. Best choice ever!!!!
I have mentioned this before in comments and what not. I can hardly remember feeling any hunger on this fast. Magic mushrooms tend to alleviate hunger pains. On top of that I have been living a very healthy lifestyle this past year. Consistent exercise, eating a mostly vegan diet, and meditating about 2 hours a day. All these factors helped this fast to flow with grace and ease. Just as I requested and exactly how I like it.
I will be writing an article soon that will attempt to summarize the whole experience for those who might wish to try it. If you are someone who is thinking about working deeply with mushrooms I recommend trying to do a fast first. It doesn’t need to be 10 days and it doesn’t need to only be 10 days. Go with whatever feels right for you. If you have never fasted before try it for a day.
Fasting is a very healthy practice. It has nothing to do with weight loss. In fact on this last 10 day fast I didn’t lose more than a couple of pounds. I guess either those magic mushrooms are packed with calories or perhaps when your body finds its optimum weight and you fast consciously the body is able to maintain itself.
I don’t recommend fast for the purpose of weight loss. Although weight loss will be a bonus side effect that will come from giving your body a needed rest from digestion. And it will reward you with more energy and sexiness. It is like growing crops. I may not get this exactly right but for optimum produce it is recommended that farmers let the land rest every seven years so that the soil can regain its nutrients. Farmers that do not give the land a rest produce fruits and vegetables that lack certain vitamins and minerals. Your body is a reflection of the earth. Give it a rest and the fruits that you bear will be loaded with vitamins, minerals, and flavor.
Now go be the best fruit of vegetable you can be!
The Magic Mushroom Fast 