Today’s article is by special guest Lauren Berlingeri, one of the cofounders (along with Katie Kaps) behind the company HigherDOSE. These two female biohackers and friends created HigherDOSE with an aspiration to construct tools that reignite vitality from within, contributing to what they term a “Feel Good Movement.”
In a world where traditional self-care is being constantly redefined, Lauren and Katie’s vision is to extend an invitation to more people into the intriguing world of biohacking and reimagine these wellness tools for all types of bodies. With their philosophy deeply rooted in the healing power of nature, they ingeniously adapt their modalities to fit into busy, overstressed schedules.
Their products, which include an Infrared Sauna Blanket and PEMF Mat (both of which I use and endorse) are designed to naturally stoke a healthy dose of your brain’s feel-good chemicals – dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin, and endorphins (hence the name their company: HigherDOSE).
Lauren has written two other guest articles, both of which were wildly popular with my female audience, but also got plenty of males thinking and reading:
- A Female Biohacking Expert’s Advice For Women’s Health, Fitness, Hormones & Beauty, Plus The 3 Top Biohacks For Women.
- 8 Simple Ways Mothers Can Find More Balance With Parenting, Careers, & Health.
And both Lauren and Katie have appeared before on the podcast on this episode about biohacking and how they founded their company. During that show, they told me about HigherDOSE’s latest product that was about to be released – their innovative Red Light Face Mask – and I asked them to send it to me to try. Since then, the mask has been a regular part of my daily anti-aging skin care routine (if you’re intrigued, Lauren has offered 15% off all HigherDOSE products with code BEN).
Lauren is no newcomer to the health and wellness space. She’s a celebrated nutritionist, health coach, and you might know her from the hit viral series Woman vs. Workout. It was through her personal journey that Lauren uncovered the magic of infrared saunas, which she used to uplift her mood and recover from her intense fitness challenges.
Today Lauren is here to give you an inside look at a different topic: fasting, or more specifically, multiple day water fasting.
I myself am a major proponent of fasting (read more here), including daily intermittent fasting, monthly 24 hour fasting and one or two multiple day fasts per year to optimize hormones, clear senescent cells, and even as a spiritual reset. I think it’s no coincidence that fasting is mentioned prolifically throughout the Bible to be paired with prayer, and is a major practice in most if not all religions.
In this article, Lauren describes her experience with a 72-hour water fast. She goes in-depth on important details for women who are interested in fasting, including when to time your fast based on your cycle and what preparations to make before a multiple-day fast. And while this article is geared towards women, much of what is presented is also applicable to men – in the comments below, feel free to ask me any questions about how you can adapt Lauren’s protocol if you’re a man.
Armed with this information, you’ll be able to make your own foray into the world of fasting armed with the knowledge and tools to get the most out of the experience. Without further adieu, here’s Lauren Berlingeri.
What Women Need To Know Before They Try A Water Fast
I’m Lauren Berlingeri, co-founder of HigherDOSE. I recently embarked on a three-day water fast with my co-founder Katie Kaps.
We were guided by Dr. Mindy Pelz, one of today’s leading fasting experts, who takes special care in guiding women through this powerful health reset.
We captured the three-day experience for an episode of BIOHACK-HERS, HigherDOSE’s web series exploring ancient wellness wisdom and today’s hottest health hacks – through the lens of a woman’s unique biology. I will admit: I was nervous about the intensity of this particular challenge and what I was asking of my body.
These days, I do my best to avoid cortisol-spiking activities or anything that involves restriction, over-exertion, or unrealistic expectations of rapid transformation. My early career modeling meant I pushed my body through dangerous crash diets and extreme exercise regimens. And I saw the toll it took on my body, mind, and spirit.
As I moved into the biohacking space and began to interface with some of the leading health experts, I became obsessed with understanding the alternatives to cortisol-focused regimens – looking instead for rituals and routines that detox, reset, and deeply nourish my body, mind, and spirit.
So, what about water fasting? Is this controversial, but increasingly popular biohack safe for women to try? What do we need to know before, during, and after a fast? And just how powerful are the benefits?
Water fasting can be a transformative experience for women, providing physical, mental, and spiritual benefits. By following the advice and insights shared in this blog post, you can make an informed decision about whether a water fast is right for you.
Remember, it is crucial to prioritize your health, consider your individual circumstances, and approach fasting with mindfulness and self-care. I particularly urge caution around a water fast if you have historically struggled with disordered eating in any way. Please always consult a medical professional if you have questions before getting started.
What is a “Water Fast”?
A water fast involves abstaining from any food for 72 hours, to allow your cells to experience autophagy: a process of cellular self-cleansing and renewal.
While this practice remains controversial, it has been gaining popularity in recent years.
Water fasting has several well-known, science-backed benefits, including weight loss, improved insulin sensitivity, reduced inflammation, increased human growth hormone levels, enhanced gut health, and improved mental clarity. The process of autophagy triggered by water fasting allows your body to repair and regenerate, providing a unique opportunity for self-healing.
One significant benefit of water fasting is the increase in your body’s own ability to create ketones: organic compounds produced by the liver when the body breaks down fats for energy when the body needs an alternative fuel source. During a water fast, you force your body to tap into its fat stores and produce ketones for energy. These ketones have been shown to provide numerous health benefits, such as improved brain function, increased energy levels, and reduced oxidative stress.
Dr. Pelz emphasizes the importance of aligning your mind and heart with this practice. Your body will soak up serious benefits from these three days, but your mind will try to convince you that you are in danger. Before you begin, it is crucial to address the mental hurdles that may arise.Â
My Three-Day Transformation: Mind, Body, Spirit
During my water fast, I experienced a range of benefits that have truly transformed my relationship with food, my body, my decision-making powers, and my overall well-being.
Here are some of the remarkable changes I noticed after the 72 hours:
- Regaining control over food cravings and increased awareness: One of the most powerful outcomes of water fasting is the ability to take control of food cravings and become more conscious of what we put into our bodies. By abstaining from food for 72 hours, I found myself breaking free from the constant pull of cravings and food choices – gaining a renewed sense of empowerment over my dietary choices. This allowed me to make healthier decisions in the days following the fast and develop a deeper understanding of the impact of food on my body.
- Spiritual connection and self-realization: Fasting has long been a practice intertwined with spirituality and religion, and for good reason. As I embarked on this journey, the spiritual transformation was an unexpected, but leading benefit. Fasting provided me with a unique opportunity for self-reflection on my health and relationship with my body, leading to insights and revelations about my own power to make decisions for myself – beyond the chemical signals and cravings my body routinely sends. When you enter a fast in the right headspace, it can be truly a transformative experience that allows you to connect with yourself on a deeper level.
- Improved digestion and awareness of food triggers: Prior to the water fast, I had struggled with digestive issues such as bloating and gas. After the three-day fast, I noticed a significant improvement in my digestion. It was like starting with a clean slate. I became more aware of the foods that were causing these issues when I reintroduced them. By reintroducing each food group separately, I was able to pinpoint specific triggers for my digestive issues. This newfound awareness has been invaluable in helping me make more informed choices about the foods I consume.
- Benefits of human growth hormone and cellular renewal: Water fasting triggers a process called autophagy, which promotes cellular self-cleansing and renewal. During this process, there is an increase in human growth hormone levels, leading to a profound range of benefits. I experienced tangible improvements in my skin quality and gut health. Human growth hormone is a powerful self-healing compound. Activated through a water fast, this is a profound and free biohack that can transform your well-being.
*Studies have suggested that elevated levels of ketones increase human growth hormone production. So, by carefully monitoring and optimizing your ketone levels during a fast, you are amplifying the powerful benefits of an increase in human growth hormone. Keep reading to learn how to track ketones during your fast!
To gain a more comprehensive understanding of my water fasting experience, I highly recommend watching the full episode of BIOHACK-HERS where I share my personal journey and insights. In this episode, Dr. Mindy Pelz, our fasting expert guide, takes us through everything we need to know – mentally, physically, spiritually.Â
My Three-Day Transformation: Mind, Body, Spirit
During my water fast, I experienced a range of benefits that have truly transformed my relationship with food, my body, my decision-making powers, and my overall well-being.
Here are some of the remarkable changes I noticed after the 72 hours:
- Regaining control over food cravings and increased awareness: One of the most powerful outcomes of water fasting is the ability to take control of food cravings and become more conscious of what we put into our bodies. By abstaining from food for 72 hours, I found myself breaking free from the constant pull of cravings and food choices – gaining a renewed sense of empowerment over my dietary choices. This allowed me to make healthier decisions in the days following the fast and develop a deeper understanding of the impact of food on my body.
- Spiritual connection and self-realization: Fasting has long been a practice intertwined with spirituality and religion, and for good reason. As I embarked on this journey, the spiritual transformation was an unexpected, but leading benefit. Fasting provided me with a unique opportunity for self-reflection on my health and relationship with my body, leading to insights and revelations about my own power to make decisions for myself – beyond the chemical signals and cravings my body routinely sends. When you enter a fast in the right headspace, it can be truly a transformative experience that allows you to connect with yourself on a deeper level.
- Improved digestion and awareness of food triggers: Prior to the water fast, I had struggled with digestive issues such as bloating and gas. After the three-day fast, I noticed a significant improvement in my digestion. It was like starting with a clean slate. I became more aware of the foods that were causing these issues when I reintroduced them. By reintroducing each food group separately, I was able to pinpoint specific triggers for my digestive issues. This newfound awareness has been invaluable in helping me make more informed choices about the foods I consume.
- Benefits of human growth hormone and cellular renewal: Water fasting triggers a process called autophagy, which promotes cellular self-cleansing and renewal. During this process, there is an increase in human growth hormone levels, leading to a profound range of benefits. I experienced tangible improvements in my skin quality and gut health. Human growth hormone is a powerful self-healing compound. Activated through a water fast, this is a profound and free biohack that can transform your well-being.
*Studies have suggested that elevated levels of ketones increase human growth hormone production. So, by carefully monitoring and optimizing your ketone levels during a fast, you are amplifying the powerful benefits of an increase in human growth hormone. Keep reading to learn how to track ketones during your fast!
To gain a more comprehensive understanding of my water fasting experience, I highly recommend watching the full episode of BIOHACK-HERS where I share my personal journey and insights. In this episode, Dr. Mindy Pelz, our fasting expert guide, takes us through everything we need to know – mentally, physically, spiritually.Â
