Psychological and Psychiatric Consequences of Prolonged Fasting: Neurobiological, Clinical, and Therapeutic Perspectives.

ABSTRACT: Background/Objectives: Prolonged fasting-defined as voluntary abstinence from caloric intake for periods exceeding 24 h-is increasingly recognized not only as a metabolic intervention but also as a psycho-behavioral modulator. According to the 2024 international consensus, intermittent fasting encompasses diverse temporal patterns including time-restricted feeding, alternate-day fasting, and periodic fasting of multi-day duration. While metabolic benefits are well documented, the psychoneurobiological and psychiatric consequences remain incompletely characterized. This review critically appraises current evidence on the psychological and psychiatric effects of prolonged and intermittent fasting, including both secular and religious practices. Methods: A narrative synthesis wa

SUBMITTER: Bonaccorsi V 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12787741 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature