PUASA DAN IMPLIKASINYA TERHADAP KESIHATAN MENTAL: ANALISIS NEUROSAINS DAN PERSPEKTIF ISLAM: FASTING AND ITS IMPACT ON MENTAL HEALTH: A NEUROSCIENTIFIC ANALYSIS AND ISLAMIC PERSPECTIVE - Md Rasip, Zaifuddin; Handan, Rahayu; Hamzah, Amer Hudhaifah; Mohamad, Mohd Zulfahmi; Maslikhah, Maslikhah; Ab Razak, Mohd Solleh (INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EDUCATION, PSYCHOLOGY AND COUNSELLING (IJEPC), 2026)
Kajian ini meneliti peranan puasa dan implikasinya terhadap kesihatan mental melalui mekanisme neurobiologi yang mempengaruhi fungsi otak, kestabilan emosi dan kesejahteraan psikologi. Walaupun banyak kajian telah meneliti manfaat metabolik puasa terhadap kesihatan fizikal, penyelidikan yang mengintegrasikan perspektif neurosains, fungsi kognitif dan kesejahteraan psikologi secara menyeluruh masih terhad. Oleh itu, kajian ini bertujuan menghimpunkan dan menganalisis bukti saintifik berkaitan hubungan antara amalan puasa dan kesihatan mental dari sudut mekanisme neurobiologi. Secara umum, mekanisme yang menjelaskan kesan puasa terhadap kesihatan mental boleh dihimpunkan kepada tiga kluster utama, iaitu neuroplastisiti, neuroproteksi selular dan metabolisme otak. Dari sudut neuroplastisiti, puasa merangsang pengeluaran Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) yang berperanan dalam pertumbuhan neuron, pengukuhan sambungan sinaptik serta peningkatan keupayaan pembelajaran dan daya ingatan. Dari sudut neuroproteksi selular, puasa mencetuskan proses autofagi yang membantu penyingkiran protein rosak dan sisa selular yang berkait rapat dengan pencegahan kemerosotan neurologi. Sementara itu, dari sudut metabolisme otak, puasa mencetuskan ketogenesis yang menghasilkan β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) sebagai sumber tenaga alternatif bagi neuron serta bertindak sebagai agen anti-radang dan antioksidan yang membantu mengurangkan stres oksidatif dan keradangan saraf. Kajian ini menggunakan pendekatan analisis literatur naratif dengan meneliti dapatan kajian-kajian terdahulu dalam bidang neurosains, psikologi kognitif dan kesihatan mental. Analisis terhadap 33 artikel dan buku menunjukkan bahawa individu yang mengamalkan puasa secara berkala cenderung mengalami peningkatan daya tumpuan, ketahanan mental, kawalan emosi serta keseimbangan psikologi. Oleh itu, puasa berpotensi berfungsi sebagai pendekatan sokongan yang bersifat neuroprotektif dan psikoprotektif dalam memelihara kesihatan mental. Kajian ini menyumbang kepada pengukuhan kerangka konseptual hubungan antara amalan puasa, mekanisme neurobiologi dan kesejahteraan mental serta menyediakan asas saintifik bagi pembangunan intervensi gaya hidup dalam menyokong kesihatan mental. This study examines the role of fasting and its implications for mental health through neurobiological mechanisms that influence brain function, emotional stability, and psychological well-being. Although numerous studies have explored the metabolic benefits of fasting for physical health, research that integrates neuroscientific perspectives with cognitive function and psychological well-being remains limited. Therefore, this study aims to synthesize and analyze scientific evidence regarding the relationship between fasting practices and mental health from a neurobiological perspective. In general, the mechanisms explaining the effects of fasting on mental health can be categorized into three main clusters: neuroplasticity, cellular neuroprotection, and brain metabolism. From the perspective of neuroplasticity, fasting stimulates the production of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), which plays a crucial role in neuronal growth, the strengthening of synaptic connections, and the enhancement of learning and memory abilities. In terms of cellular neuroprotection, fasting triggers autophagy, a process that facilitates the removal of damaged proteins and cellular debris, which is closely associated with the prevention of neurological decline. Meanwhile, from the perspective of brain metabolism, fasting induces ketogenesis that produces β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) as an alternative energy source for neurons, while also functioning as an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agent that helps reduce oxidative stress and neural inflammation. This study adopts a narrative literature analysis by examining findings from previous research in the fields of neuroscience, cognitive psychology, and mental health. An analysis of 33 scholarly articles and books indicates that individuals who practice fasting regularly tend to experience improved attention, greater mental resilience, enhanced emotional regulation, and better psychological balance. Therefore, fasting has the potential to function as a neuroprotective and psychoprotective supportive approach in maintaining mental health. This study contributes to strengthening the conceptual framework that explains the relationship between fasting practices, neurobiological mechanisms, and mental well-being, while also providing a scientific foundation for lifestyle-based interventions aimed at supporting mental health.