Missing an Appetite

[Jhanon]

I realize this is going to sound similar to "first world problems;" But I haven't had an appetite for food for the last 3 months. And it's beginning to concern me. Today I ate three small apples, a handful of nuts/seeds, a small chia kombucha, and .5 liters of coconut water. I'm staying hydrated with water, of course.

Is it possible that my efforts to reduce craving for food has gone too far? Is it possible to only need this much food in a day? I have a suspicion that maybe we are lied to about necessary caloric intake because practically all humans are addicted to food.

Maybe it's a medical issue, but it doesn't seem like it.

[Jhanananda]

I do not believe that you can blame your meditation practice upon your loss of apatite, but I can see how you could overcome your addiction to food, which I agree, most people suffer from gluttony, which tends to result in type 2 diabetes for most gluttons, but not all type 2 diabetics.

The amount of food you ate will likely sustain life.  You might want to keep an eye upon your weight.  If you get too skinny, then you will have to force yourself to eat more.  Otherwise, I believe it is wise to eat only when hungry.  Perhaps you are just not allowing yourself to feel hunger?

The possible explanation for loss of apatite might be your medications, or your withdrawal from them.

[Jhanon]

I don't have an issue with my weight or body image problems. So I can't see much evidence that I'm simply not allowing myself to feel hunger.

The possibility of medications seems unlikely. I'm very familiar with the medication's effects on my eating. And, to avoid the very real danger of permanent neuro damage, I have been tapering instead of going through withdrawal all at once like I was. Benzodiazepines specifically can cause tremendous damage lasting up to a year or resulting in siezure/death. No, I wasn't aware of this when they started me on it--the only time I didn't research a medication before beginning it.

And so because I am tapering down, i anticipated an increase in appetite since that is what happened in the past when I took less in a day than usual.

I went through all of that to say that the conscience, the intuition, is reporting that this is a product of my intensified meditation practice over these last few months--particularly this last month. Not necessarily an unhealthy change. I've experienced additional control over other consumables. A significant reduction in cravings. 

I can still eat, but, it's strange to not feel a food-specific craving. It's become purely fuel-related. There is no unwholesome pleasure taken in food consumption--which is also new. With the apparent decrease in metabolism seeming a direct relation to increasingly relaxed and one pointed mind states.

My largest meal is in the morning, followed by small snacks until 6pm at which time the appetite shuts off. It doesn't sound bad at all when I say it like that. But it is definitely a previously unknown relation to food--despite having taken most of the medications my entire life.

I'll just keep an eye on it. I am posting this in the case a mystic in the future or past experiences something similar. For now, I can't be certain the primary cause. But I will keep an eye on it.