Drive State on Carnivore. How to Turn It Off.

On a standard diet, carbohydrates lower cortisol and sympathetic arousal through the insulin response. On a carnivore diet, that mechanism is absent. The result is a perpetual drive state that often feels like mild stress.

Why Carbs Do This
  • Carbohydrates raise insulin.
  • Insulin, an antagonist to cortisol, lowers cortisol — a stress hormone.
  • Insulin also drives tryptophan into the brain, which converts into serotonin — a calming effect.
Carnivore Alternatives
  • Bone broth, collagen, organ meats — taurine and glycine from the diet. Calming amino acids under-eaten on muscle meat only diets.
  • Do not under-eat fat or calories — a caloric deficit keeps cortisol elevated regardless of diet, which keeps the drive running.
Tricks and Tips
  • Humming, gargling and extended exhale breathing — vagus nerve activation, directly calming.
  • Schedule downtime. Deliberately.
  • Hot bath — downshifts sympathetic arousal directly.
  • Physical affection — hugs raise oxytocin directly.

PS. The drive state is useful. The problem is when it has no off switch.