I can't eat

[Pagey]

...and it's really starting to become a problem. These past few weeks I've had more and more trouble eating normal amounts, and this past week or so it has been impossible for me to put a single piece of food in my mouth without feeling like I'm about to throw up. Same with drinking anything but water. I've been doing drugs regularly all summer but nothing more than the rest of the year and it's never been anywhere near this bad. I used to do stims way more often but would always be able to eat normally a day or two after, and now my stomach just feels like I'm on them constantly, without that being the case ofc.
I'm wondering how much stress/depression can affect appetite. I'm moving back to another country in 10 days to go to university (secnod year so it's not the first time, but still) and have been extremely low lately because of having to leave my boyfriend and good friends and stuff. Seeing as this eating problem is intensifying the closer I get to leaving, I'd like to know if anyone else thinks that may be the culprit/has had similar experience/has any tips on how to deal with it...I've lost practically 10kg (~25lbs) in the past 6 weeks and I just want this to stop
Thanks.

 

[Maya]

Loss of appetite can be cause by many things. Yes depression and stress can cause loss of appetite as well and it also varies from person to person. TBH, I am the opposite, I always tend to eat more when I am in a lot of stress. Since depression and anxiety affects your appetite this can also lead to low levels of magnesium and vitamin B12. Eating healthy foods at the right times in the right portions is the first thing I would like to suggest and also taking the necessary supplements such as multivitamin + Magnesium and b12. I am pretty paranoid about my health so what I also do in addition to changing my diet is to see a GP just to make sure that I don't have any underlying medical condition that needs attention of. I would also suggest to lay off the drugs for now

 

[Pagey]

Cheers Maya - yeah that's the thing, I also tend to eat more when I'm stressed and/or depressed, except when I've been at the absolute worst lows of my life and have been incapable of eating, similarly to these days. That's usually when something big has happened though so I'm not really sure if I can relate the two situations. I'm definitely trying with the healthy foods/right portions but since the beginning of this week I just can't I'll check out the supplements you mentioned...would like to see my GP about it but that would probably entail explaining my drug situation which I'd really like to avoid. But yeah I'm definitely going to stay off everything for a while now. Thanks

 

[Foreigner]

If you weren't eating that much during your drug use, then this could be a deficiency situation where the digestive organs themselves are in a weakened state. Those organs themselves need food and if food is avoided for a certain length of time then the hunger impulse disappears.

The other thing to consider is that this may be a receptor-mediated issue since you are having simultaneous feelings of depression. Serotonin, for example, plays a role in appetite.

Here are some strategies you can try:
1) Since you can't eat much, eat nutrient dense meals like things with higher fat content: eggs, yogurt, granola, cheese, pudding, nut butters, protein shakes, etc. Sometimes a short term increase in calories will kick-start digestion again and your appetite will return to normal levels.
2) Save your biggest meal for the time of day when you feel the most alert. These peak times are when hormone levels are higher.
3) If you have the energy, moderate exercise can stimulate appetite.

Remedies for nausea:
- ferments of any kind like yogurt, miso, sauerkraut, digestive vinegars like ACV, marmite, etc. You can try consuming a ferment *before* attempting to eat a meal and it can aid the digestive process.
- rooibos tea is a South African medicine for nausea now available in most western countries
- if alcohol has been a big part of your drug use, consider a pro-biotic

Another thing to consider is liver over-burden. If you've been doing a lot of drugs then the liver is responsible for breaking those down, and this strips the liver of its enzymatic factors over time. This in turn can reduce the effectiveness of the liver's ability to add nutrition to the blood. (Food that enters the small intestine has its nutrients absorbed directly to the liver, which then processes them and adds those factors to the blood.) Sometimes a lack of a desire to eat is because of a bitchy liver that can't do its job.

The solution for this is freshly squeezed vegetable juices, especially beet juice which adds more glutathione content to the liver. But any fresh greens will do. It has to be fresh and not pre-bottled because fresh contains the living enzymes that will unblock your body and stop the nausea.

 

[Joeof1]

Drink more water, it will regulate itself away. Sounds like you are chronically dehydrated and your metabolic system is trying to adapt to the lower capacity of nutrient processing and digestion. This is causing your bile matter to get backed up and crowd your stomach.

 

[p-helix]

Being deeply connected to people and places around you with the prospect of upping sticks for different surroundings is unsettling in various ways. You may be rejecting food as a way of preparing for change.

Perhaps you can eat different foods from those you have normally been eating. Eat what you can. Think of the fruits you like. Perhaps knock back some lemon juice and water to help detoxify yourself a little if you think this could be a cause. Lemon juice I've found to be surprisingly relaxing and can make your body more alkaline in case you have built up acidity from stress, foods and drugs over a period of time. Also, go for eggs and nuts, high energy and high protein foods to strengthen yourself when you are able.

Swimming is relaxing and generates a good appetite, so I would recommend it, but don't burn the last of your body-fat in the process! (I had an anorexic friend who would swim miles regularly for the wrong reasons).

Moving and coping with transitions are stressful times and the emotional process can be difficult but hopefully it goes well and you feel better soon.