One thing I found quite astounding while fasting is how keen my sense of smell is. I normally don't smell much at all, but while fasting I can smell every restaurant in a 2 mile radius.
I guess it's mostly my brain filtering out "irrelevant data" (the location of food becomes relevant when you're hungry!)
That made me wonder if my other senses might be sharper while hungry too. As hunters, I imagine our ability to plan might also benefit.
Has any research been done on the effects of hunger on cognitive performance?
Agreed. When I first started IF so many years ago, it was a shocker how much my sense of smell increased. In the sense of evolutionary biology, it makes sense. If you are hungry, you better be able to find your next food source and maximize every sense you have to get it done.
I guess it's mostly my brain filtering out "irrelevant data" (the location of food becomes relevant when you're hungry!)
That made me wonder if my other senses might be sharper while hungry too. As hunters, I imagine our ability to plan might also benefit.
Has any research been done on the effects of hunger on cognitive performance?