Kool and The Ketones



This last week - and it will be my last of the diet proper - is the first that I've unambiguously felt the mental effects of ketosis.

It's quite profound.

It's been very clear: a drug-like effect.  Searching through my youthful experiences, during which, at various times, I sampled most mind-altering drug/chemical types, the closest similarity would be Betel nut.  Betel nut (consumed in Taiwan and other places in East and South East Asia) gives a significant and pleasant euphoria.  Such is Ketosis for me this week.

According to some research the Ketosis mechanism has similarities to the date-rape drug GHB!  Betel nut's active ingredient is Arecoline - it's brain chemistry is likely not much related to the Ketosis effect in fact.  My experience resembles it however.

It's a pleasant fairly continuous positive mood that is quite noticeable.  Others notice it too: my wife says that I speak and move more slowly.  As an adaptation to low energy intake, that is just what should be expected - as a result I will conserve energy.  I do try to counteract this by choosing to be more active - walking to complete errands that I might reasonably delay.  The mental effect doesn't make that difficult - the positive mood persists while I go about my business.

So, while I'm definitely looking forward to removing the diet's restrictions on my eating, I'll be a little sorry let go of the ketone cool.

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