Andrew Huberman AI:
Fasting can indeed have an impact on cognitive functions, including learning abilities, but it's important to understand the mechanisms at play. When you fast, your body releases a hormone called ghrelin, which not only makes you feel hungry but also stimulates the release of growth hormone. This increase in growth hormone can have various beneficial effects on your body, including improved tissue health and metabolism.
Moreover, fasting can lead to an upregulation of dopamine receptors, which can enhance the rewarding properties of certain behaviors, including learning. This is because dopamine is not just linked to primitive rewards like food and sex, but also to things we decide are good for us, like studying or learning new skills.
However, it's important to note that the literature on this topic is still emerging, and while there are promising indications, more research is needed to fully understand the relationship between fasting and learning abilities.