I am planning on doing a 5 day fast (water, but no food for the entire 5 days) and if health permits, add an additional week. What are the potential health risks of such a fast? Any long term damage?

If you havent fasted in a while then all those toxins that were stored in your bodies fat cells from years ago will become released and could put you in the hospital. If you havent fasted in a long time, its best to ease into it slowly.

Well, if that is all I have to worry about, we will see if I am in the hospitol in a few days

The latest research shows there are no health benefits to fasting at all, but only risk. To lose weight, reduced food intake and exercise are all that's needed.

I am actually not concerned about losing weight at all. I am in the best shape of my life. I was going to do this as more of a spiritual experience (namely to see if I have some God dilusions in my altered state of consciousnes)

Theres a lot smarter ways to having spiritual experiences than starving your body. Buddah took that whole starving thing to the extreme by only eating a grain of rice per day. Then he came to a revelation and changed his whole outlook on fasting. If you really want some spiritual experiences, meditate outside for 5 days.

Ask the experts:

http://www.islamfortoday.com/ramadan05.htm

(Hunger pangs are a bit like foreskin - you might try and remove them, but either evolution or God [or both?] put them there for a good reason )

I have always identified with struggle. My times of greatest accomplisment have always come when most people would be in despair. I feel that it is right, for at least 3 days. I have spent more than 5 days meditating in the woods (well not much more 7 days in the Olympic National Forest alone) and that was a very life changing experience. I also spent an entire month alone in a house right on the beach, and I mean alone, I didn't so much as have a phone or electricity for that matter. I have a feeling that this is just something I have to do. With that said, I am just curious as to the long term effects, only dire long term consequence will change my mind.

And what exactly is the reason for foreskin? lol

Three to five days of not eating, but drinking water, will probably not cause permanent damage. However, it will take you several days to recover and get your strength back. Certain consciousness expanding substances will have a greater psychological effect without the stress of fasting. Those substances generally suppress hunger, so you will get the empty stomach experience too, at least for one day. You also need to prepare yourself by learning all you can about expanded states of consciousness. A trusted and experienced assistant is also advisable. Let me go on record here as saying that I never recommend to anyone in general to take (or not take) any consciousness expanding substance. That is one's own decison.

The only problem I have with that route, is that I do not trust the suppliers of such substances.

Alright it is 62 hours into this fast and my energy levels are no different than before I started. I have yet to feel so much as a sense of hunger (not even as much as the typical waiting for dinner hunger), and no head aches what so ever. I'm going to push the limits with a 10 mile run right now. Hopefuly this will speed up the process. My weight has dropped from 158 to 151 lbs but other than that I have had no effects at all.

[/quote]The only problem I have with that route, is that I do not trust the suppliers of such substances.
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Can you not get to a natural source?

I can appreciate fasting as a brain change method but why would you want to be quite so harsh to your body by running 10 miles, surely a good walk and yoga would be better !?

I am a wrestler, I love testing my bodies limits I am young I can take it~I am a huge fan of yoga as well.

Have you ever tried running anything more than like 5 miles? There is a point (for me at about 6 miles) that extreme euphoria kicks in, it is really rather enjoyable. Nothing beats the feeling of a hard workout.

That's commonly called Runner's High or second wind. A lot of people think it's caused by a natural release of endorphins in response to the extreme stress.

I love the feeling too, but I haven't felt it for a few years. I'm probably desensitized to it.

Staying away from negative influences internally and externally is more important and productive than depriving yourself nutrition. Over exertion is also a cause of many health issues. Fasting can sometimes be beneficial. Only under certain conditions though. I don't know them all but, please take all the necessary precautions. Some may benefit more from a healthy diet. Others might benefit more from ingesting mushrooms. Slow down for a minute...reflect on your mission here. Does it involve unnecessary risks?