Psychiatrist Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan stated that Ramadan fasting disciplines the hunger and satiety-related hypothalamic region in the brain, saying, “Because more than ten hours of hunger occurs, the body says, ‘Oh no, I’m starving,’ goes into alarm mode, and starts to renew itself.”
Prof. Dr. Tarhan, stating that fasting triggers growth factor in the brain, said, “It stimulates brain cells, stimulates bone marrow cells, and prompts self-renewal. The discomfort Ramadan fasting causes to the nervous system is a result of this growth. We can say that this period is a process that contributes to the healthy functioning of our body.”
Üsküdar Üniversitesi Founding Rector, Psychiatrist Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, provided information about the effects of Ramadan fasting on the brain.
“Ramadan was an opportunity to deal with seductive emotions”
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan stated that Ramadan fasting is a three-dimensional act of worship, saying, “This is a social, financial, and personal act of worship. If we consider personal worship, there are such emotions within humans; seductive, misleading emotions known as 'nefsi emmare' (the commanding self). These emotions are very rampant at this time. True freedom is not doing what those emotions dictate, but being free from them. Those emotions are general human emotions like seduction, temptation, attachment to possessions, position, fame, greed, and self-interest. Ramadan is an opportunity to deal with these emotions. Since it is a collective act of worship, it can affect everyone.”
“Fasting increases our tolerance and endurance”
Prof. Dr. Tarhan also noted that fasting provides endurance training to people, stating, “Modules are being written in positive psychotherapy methods regarding endurance training. Endurance training is opportunity training. This period increases a person’s resilience and tolerance. There is a hidden psychological law in life. It gives its reward to those who endure. Fasting also increases our tolerance and endurance.”
“Children should not immediately get what they want, but experience the natural consequences of their behavior”
Prof. Dr. Tarhan, stating that the second gain is to strengthen the skill of delayed gratification, said, “Modernism glorified the pursuit of pleasure and unleashed desires. As a result, everyone became pleasure-seekers, living a life of revelry. The human typology that says ‘break the chains, tear down the walls’ has become widespread. In such situations, we advise parents to teach children the skill of delayed gratification. Children should not immediately get what they want, but experience the natural consequences of their behavior. If they do something wrong, they should pay the price for it. They should achieve their desires through effort. We teach this from childhood, starting from when they begin to walk.”
“One disciplines the hunger and satiety-related hypothalamic region in the brain”
Prof. Dr. Tarhan also stated that Ramadan fasting disciplines one's ego and strengthens one's will, concluding his words as follows:
“If you observe Ramadan fasting without belief, you will suffer greatly and be restless. When we look at our brain from a neuroscience perspective, when someone believes in Ramadan fasting, the brain develops a program related to it and sends a message to the stomach and intestines, beyond the first few days of adaptation, saying ‘you will eat in the evening, you have to postpone it.’ One disciplines the hunger and satiety-related hypothalamic region in the brain.
“It stimulates brain cells”
Because more than ten hours of hunger occurs, the body says, ‘Oh no, I’m starving,’ goes into alarm mode, and starts to renew itself. It triggers growth factor in the brain, stimulates brain cells, stimulates bone marrow cells, and prompts self-renewal. The discomfort Ramadan fasting causes to the nervous system is a result of this growth. We can say that this period is a process that contributes to the healthy functioning of our body.”