helps reprogram the brain to get out of the societal cycles of eating at specified times of the day
this is really it, although I'd argue that anything less than 72+ hours (three full days, 4 nights) doesn't really count since that's about how long you have to go to get past the hunger stage. Once you actually stop being hungry instead of just out-willing hunger, it's a whole 'nother level of enlightenment re: "do I actually
need food right now"
No need to do that every week, maybe once every couple months / year. That kind of lesson really sticks with you.
Some other notes:
People on the shorter fast cycles tend to binge their way out of it, which seems counterproductive to any reason for fasting that I can come up with. Not that you necessarily do this, just something to look out for. coming off is often harder than the fast itself.
I'd avoid anything other than water, including the coffee, or tea, artificially sweetened soda, etc. The caffeine especially, but also other things, will fuck with your appetite & metabolism big time.
The only cash you save will be from going hungry at times when you would otherwise eat out or grab fast food, and then eating at home later instead. The fast itself really won't save anything since you will end up eating the same amount overall anyway.
Warn everybody that you're gonna be a grumpy motherfucker for a few days so they don't accidentally end up thinking you're a jerk.
ETA: I think the mental health benefits far outweigh anything else. There are some studies that show intermittent fasting (or calorie restriction in general) can prolong one's lifespan, but you have to start young, fast full days multiple times per week, and do it literally your whole life. Anything less than that doesn't verifiably do anything and could be counterproductive. A good long one every once in a while doesn't hurt anything though and is IMO definitely worth the experience.
