The Scorch Protocol works because it pushes the body hard: a deep dry fast, a staged refeed, and thyroid hormone (T3) to restart a suppressed metabolism. That same intensity makes it dangerous for some people. This page is the honest version of who should not attempt it, and who can pull it off if they prepare right first.
There are two lists below. The first is genuine hard stops: cases where the physiology says no and no amount of preparation changes that. The second is the cautious list: conditions that scare people off but are usually doable once you build the prep in. If you are anywhere in that second group, this is exactly the kind of case worth running past Yannick with your own numbers in front of you before you start.
Do not attempt the fasting protocol if any of these apply
Pregnant or breastfeedingFasting at this depth deprives a developing baby and an infant of nutrients. This is an absolute no.
Type 1 diabetesThe risk of life-threatening blood sugar and ketone swings is too high. People with type 1 diabetes were turned away.
Active or advanced heart disease, heart damage, or significant arrhythmiaDeep fasting and T3 both stress the heart. With existing cardiac disease that stress can be dangerous.
Active kidney disease or kidney failureA waterless fast concentrates everything the kidneys must process. Compromised kidneys cannot safely handle it.
Underweight (BMI under 18), or an eating disorder, current or pastThere is no fat reserve to fast on, and the protocol can be a serious trigger for disordered eating. This is not the tool for you.
An active acute infection or illnessYour body needs fuel to fight an active infection. Wait until you have recovered before considering a fast.
Under 18Disrupting metabolism during developmental years carries risks that are not worth taking.
Get the prep right first if any of these apply
These are not disqualifiers. They change the risk enough that you do not want to wing it, and they are exactly what the membership is for: getting Yannick’s eyes on your numbers before you build in.
On diuretics, anticoagulants, insulin, or any medication that needs close titrationFasting and refeeding shift fluid, electrolytes, and blood sugar fast. These drugs will likely need adjusting as you go, so do not touch the doses blind. This is a case to plan out first, not improvise.
Type 2 diabetes on medicationDoable for many people, once you have a plan to manage medication and blood sugar through the fast and refeed. It is a get-the-prep-right situation, not a no.
POTS or dysautonomiaFluid shifts and T3 can provoke unpredictable responses. Done carelessly it is genuinely risky. Done with the supportive stack in place and built gradually, it is doable. Get your baseline orthostatic vitals before you begin.
A history of arrhythmia, or known osteoporosisT3 therapy in particular calls for extra caution and closer tracking in these cases. Worth running past Yannick before you start T3.
On an SSRI, SNRI, MAOI, or other serotonergic medication, or you have G6PD deficiencyThe early refeed can include methylene blue (and, in selected cases, ethyl pyruvate alongside it) as case-by-case metabolic support. Methylene blue is a monoamine oxidase inhibitor, so combined with serotonergic drugs it can trigger serotonin syndrome, and in G6PD deficiency it can cause red-cell breakdown. Neither is a reason you cannot fast. It just means that particular support is left out or handled with extra care, which is exactly the kind of thing to flag before you build in.
A heavy medication load, or you are not in the right headspaceA complex medication picture, or a mindset that is not ready, can make deep fasting too risky to rush. Sort this out first.
If you are in the clear and ready, the Decision Logic Tree will help you find the right starting point, and Phase 1: Preparation covers the baseline tests and steps that make the fast safer.
Have a question about your own case?
Ask Yannick directly. Members send their labs, symptoms, and questions and get a personal, reviewed answer, plus help sourcing medication and the full synthesized protocol behind every reply. It starts at $5/mo.
The information on this site describes a personal health protocol and is provided for educational purposes only. It is not medical advice. Consult a qualified physician before modifying your diet, fasting practice, or any medication regimen.