Oxygen Fast

[seanner689]

With all this talk about not eating for extended periods of time to "cleanse" out the ol' system, I was thinking of doing the same thing with air. I mean, I breathe in all this polluted air all the time, so by the same logic ... I should just be able to just cleanse my body of all the "dirty" air in my body, and rid myself of the toxins in my system caused by breathing bad air. Here's the plan:

1. Go to the middle of a forest (a perfect place to break my oxygen fast)

2. Hold my breath for as long as possible

3. Break the fast slowly, by taking small breaths, slowly working up to normal (but cleaner) breathing.


I've done a 4 minute and a 4:20 fast, but would love to try a 7 or 8 minute fast. I've noticed a couple of similarities to water fasting:

- My friends are generally unsupportive, they tell me that it's dangerous and unsafe.
- I experience a similar feeling of spiritual awareness, a real "paradigm shift" around 2:00. It continues until the end of my fast.
- I often feel dizzy, unable to get up or move around a lot near the end of my fast.
- After coming off the fast, I find that I'm much more aware of what I'm breathing.

Anyways, just thought I'd share my experience and see if anyone had similar findings. Also, for people who want to go on a water fast, I suggest trying this first, just to get your feet wet.

Anyone else try this?

[Barcs]

har har har! Good one. FYI abstinence of food gets rid of toxins caused from polluted air. Not similar logic at all. Funny stuff though.

[seanner689]

Well that's to bad to hear that my logic was flawed. Luckily, I was doing it more for the spiritual enlightenment anyways

[VacMan]

I think that doing that enough will lead you to a permanent oxygen fast...

[sheffy4]

I believe depriving yourself of oxygen for too long kills brain cells, so you may want to heed your friends' advice and not do this too much.

[Fullcrum]

Unless you're a pearl diver or something I think this is unnecessary. The logic isn't the same for the reasons stated above.

[jbsmith]

Never heard of that one...certainly deep breathing as an exercise to both bring in oxygen to your system (cells need oxygen to operate normally) and as a manual "pump" to help the lymph system function is a good idea.

Jeff

[The David]

Oxygen deprivation, like what you described, is unhealthy. However, holding your breath briefly may teach you to appreciate air, as abstaining from eating may teach you to appreciate food. So a very brief 'oxygen fast' may not be a bad idea.

[Lucas]

I say do it for a month, then come back and post your results.

[Jennihul]

There's one in every crowd....


Jennifer

[vitalsparx]

... "holds breath to see if OP returns to tell us the results in a month"....

[Jonathan Mead]

I thought about doing a living fast.

Dying for a few weeks and coming back. I've heard it can do wonders.

[seanner689]

Originally Posted by vitalsparx

... "holds breath to see if OP returns to tell us the results in a month"....

Don't hold your breath. I've been peeking around the boards and reading about water fasting a little bit, and although I'm curious about people doing it, I find it to be as strange as ... well, holding your breath.

I think that for some people who want the whole experience of fasting or as a shock to change dietary habits ... it's got validity. but generally the people who do it as a quick way to lose weight would be better off exercising and eating healthy as opposed to cutting out all nutrients and weakening their immune systems. Plus, the people who are fasting and still doing 18 hour days, driving around etc are just asking for trouble IMO.

[Barcs]

think that for some people who want the whole experience of fasting or as a shock to change dietary habits ... it's got validity. but generally the people who do it as a quick way to lose weight would be better off exercising and eating healthy as opposed to cutting out all nutrients and weakening their immune systems.

This is very true. You shouldn't go into a fast with the primary goal of weight loss.

[Yellow]

Haha, if you want to avoid breathing bad air, you should get yourself some oxygen tanks and breath from those. I tell you, it feels a lot better to breath pure oxygen... for a while at least.

[Jamie]

Few things I'd be cautious with here.

1. After the 2.00 point, you may actually be taking in new air, but unaware that you do so. What mechanism do you have in place to ensure this is not happening? You may like to try doing it submerged.

2. Understand your reasons for doing it.

3. Start small, slowly increase duration. Observe results you're getting.

4. For your own safety, take someone with you (pref. someone with first-aid or medical experience), just 'in case'.

[seanner689]

It's funny ... I just saw that David Blaine broke the WR for holding breath underwater, and did it by breathing pure oxygen for like 25 mins first, then going submerged for over 17 minutes!