Metabolism

 is a Physical skill in Escape from Tarkov.

Description
Healthy metabolism improves and extends the effects of eating and drinking, and sustains the physical skills longer.

Hideout

 * Level 3 of this skill is needed for the nutrition unit level 3

Effects

 * Reduction of time of action of all negative effects of stimulants, food, water (1% per level → -50% at Elite Level)
 * Enhances food and drink positive effects (1% per level → +50% at Elite Level)
 * Reduction of poisons' action time (1% per level → -50% at Elite Level)
 * Elite level : You don't receive damage from exhaustion and dehydration

How to raise

 * Replenishing Energy and Hydration through provisions
 * The amount of Energy or Hydration restored determines the number of skill points gained, not the act of consuming a provision.
 * Significantly more points are granted when doing this in-raid. Instead of consuming provisions in your stash, consume them at the beginning of each raid.
 * Completing the quest The Survivalist Path - Junkie (+2 levels)

Leveling Guide
Following this guide will result in Max metabolism between 200-500 raids. It will likely be the first skill that you max out.
 * As mentioned earlier, always consume Provisions in raid.
 * Constantly apply energy or hydration-draining painkillers throughout a raid, then consume provisions before extracting.
 * Ibuprofen painkillers and Golden Star balm are ideal for this because they have many uses. Additionally, if you have Medstation level 3 unlocked in the Hideout, you can craft these painkillers into Propital  and sell the Propital on the Flea Market, effectively making this process free.
 * This has the added side effect of allowing you to run if something shoots out your legs, increasing your survivability.
 * When you cannot loot provisions due to lack of space, consume them for the skill points. Remember to consume the food first because most food drains hydration points.
 * Eat a hydration-draining food like Can of condensed milk, then drink a water bottle at the start of each raid.
 * This is only recommended for short raids. For longer raids, it is likely a waste of money if you employ the above methods.