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It sounds like this was the diagnosis he was given. I have done extended water fasts for multiple days and often eat keto (<20g carbs per day). And so I am respectfully doubtful about this diagnosis.

Nevertheless, who knows what combination of medical peculiarities might be involved, so I guess it cannot be ruled out.

My prior assumption would still be that a case of burnout/exhaustion, or micro stroke seems like a more probable explanation.

He writes

> talking to other hackers & infosec folk, they have said they've felt similar symptoms. The brain fog after working too hard & too long.

I really get the feeling that being overworked, not resting enough is the problem. I get the feeling that the work ethics and self-concept of being a hard worker makes it somewhat hard to admit that one is being overworked and thus a medical explanation for breakdown is very welcome for some individuals.




> It sounds like this was the diagnosis he was given.

Not quite. He cites the specific diagnosis the doctor gave him and the associated DSM-5 code, but his extrapolation about dopamine and glucose is not part of that diagnosis. It’s not actually physically possible as he describes it.

This is a decent overview of the exact diagnosis he cites: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/conversion-di...

In short: It’s a stress-triggered disorder that doesn’t correspond to specific physical conditions, contrary to how he describes it.


ah ok, really confusing in the twitter thread but I guess it fits that the odd bits are his interpretation.




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