Caloric Euphoric

Anecdotal evidence links the initial phase of fasting or a low-carbohydrate diet with feelings of well-being and mild euphoria. These feelings have often been attributed to ketosis, the production of ketone bodies which can replace glucose as an energy source for the brain. One of these ketone bodies, beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), is an isomer of the notorious drug of abuse, GHB (gamma-hydroxybutyrate). GHB is also of interest in relation to its potential as a treatment for alcohol and opiate dependence and narcolepsy-associated cataplexy. Here I hypothesize that, the mild euphoria often noted with fasting or low-carbohydrate diets may be due to shared actions of BHB and GHB on the brain. Specifically, I propose that BHB, like GHB, induces mild euphoria by being a weak partial agonist for GABA(B) receptors.

I've been using intermittent fasting for the last week (One 24 hour fast in addition to a 12 hour fast daily) and have experienced dramatically increased mood, at times I'm euphoric. I no longer have blood sugar drops after a few hours like I used to have, and how I see everyone in my family get. My ancestors diet have undoubtedly been a very fat and protein-rich diet, consisting of wild game, seals, etc. and very little carb,as I am Scandinavian, so it does make sense for me to try to replicate a high-fat low-carb diet.

While my expectation were somewhat high, I did not expect this. I'm spending all that laughing and smiling and truly feel good with myself and while interacting with others. I'm never abandoning this diet.

Anyway, is it the fasting, the ketosis or a combination of the two that's causing the mood elevation? I would really appreciate a thorough scientific explanation.