Erm, a disgusting simulation video of the effects of fasting is going viral and I’m fascinated

I wasn’t prepared, no one was

1 week ago

Okay, so the internet is fully unhinged. One minute you’re watching a kangaroo at the airport, next you’re seeing a nun beatbox on Catholic TV. And now, it’s a 10-second simulation video showing the effects of fasting. What even is this timeline?

This weirdly hypnotic YouTube video from Wellness Wise breaks down, hour by hour, the chaos your insides go through when you skip meals for 36 hours. And I mean chaos. Cells are eating themselves. Your liver’s doing the most. Hormones are flying around like it’s Love Island finals week. It’s gross. It’s kind of fascinating. And it might put you off your next Greggs.

So, what’s actually happening inside you?

The video starts with your body quietly wrapping up digestion after your last snack, probably crisps. By hour four, blood sugar drops and your insulin’s like, “I’m off.” Then things start getting seriously grim. By hour 12, you’re burning fat. Fine. But then comes something called autophagy, which literally means your cells are eating themselves.

By the time you hit 24 hours, your body’s on some spring cleaning rampage, scrubbing out inflammation and releasing growth hormones. Then at 36 hours is when your body does maximum reset.

I’m not saying it’s not cool. But also, why does this video feel like something they’d show in a science museum to make school kids pass out?

So, should you actually do this?

Some researchers say yes, fasting can help with inflammation and blood sugar if done properly. Others say, maybe don’t push it. James Betts, professor of metabolic physiology at the University of Bath, says there’s not loads of proof in humans. “We don’t see dramatic health benefits, certainly in the short term,” he told The Guardian.

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But fasting for that long isn’t for everyone. It can mess with your mood, your digestion, your whole vibe. Especially if you’ve got underlying health issues or a history of disordered eating. Definitely not one to try on a whim because a YouTube video looked cool.

Still, if you want to watch your body fall apart and rebuild itself in 55 seconds of weirdly satisfying animation, this is the video for you. Just maybe don’t watch it before dinner.

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