Can mentall illnesses be healed with raw foods?

[poleidopy]

Just wondering what people think/have experienced. Can a 100% raw diet heal mental illnesses?

[lovenlife]

It has been my experience that emotions get really raw and up front on raw and living foods and are pretty intense.

It is a long rode to healing the buried stuff inside and raw foods clean all the gunk out, including emotions.

It is a brave soul who ventures into this renovation of body, mind and spirit and sticks with the ride and journey.

It is soooo worth it.

So the answer is YES. It is a process FULL of challenges. Not unlike the life we had before raw however. You get to pick.

[Dimond]

Many have. Once you're digestive system is healed, usually everything else follows.

[stellaJewels]

Definitely! Raw can heal anything if the stomach is also healed and the gut flora restored and balanced

[luckitri]

Yes and no in my experience. If the person wants to be healed there is a strong chance of success. If some of the negative behaviors are useful to the person being raw will not force them to lose the negative behaviors no matter how enlightened they might claim themselves to be. So to be wary, there are plenty of psychos out there who will tell you that they are 100%ers. Do not for one minute believe that you are safe with a person because they are raw and therefore somehow enlightened or play fair with others or even play sanely with others. It is actually more like how many molestors and other criminals find safe havens for their activities through relationships of employment or as volunteers or members of churches. Sad but true and better safe than sorry.

If you truly want to be better I think that in most cases you will be able to attain at least a portion of that and in many cases all of it.

Love truly is the miracle. Love gives life. Love sustains life. Love saves lives. Love gives meaning to life.

[lovenlife]

Love is all there is! Love rules supreme.

[Broken Aquarian]

Yes and no in my experience. If the person wants to be healed there is a strong chance of success. If some of the negative behaviors are useful to the person being raw will not force them to lose the negative behaviors no matter how enlightened they might claim themselves to be. So to be wary, there are plenty of psychos out there who will tell you that they are 100%ers. Do not for one minute believe that you are safe with a person because they are raw and therefore somehow enlightened or play fair with others or even play sanely with others. It is actually more like how many molestors and other criminals find safe havens for their activities through relationships of employment or as volunteers or members of churches. Sad but true and better safe than sorry.


I partially believe this - I think some mental illnesses are genetic and are there when the person is born, such as some serial predators. I don't think a change in diet would stop them from hunting other humans, just as normal people eating a raw food diet won't want to stop doing instinctive things.

They are tweaked in some way that causes their instincts to be different than ours. I'm talking about the ones who grew up in a normal, caring environment - not the ones who suffered a psychotic break from sexual/physical/mental abuse.

Mental illness is a general term and there are many different kinds. It all depends on what the problem is and what kind you have on weather or not it can be cured by a raw foods diet.

[luckitri]

Broken Aquarian, you are so right! - up my alley of thought. I was just reading an article about where the memory is stored and they no longer think that it is stored in the body, or a physical structure in the brain. Apparently there was a case of a fully functioning Frenchman who had nothing inside his head! They showed a scan of it - he was truly empty headed! So it is a truly very complex topic. So I often wonder if people are acting out ancestral and genetic unresolved patterns - or a form of shock or pain that is passed down, how we are not sure. I don't even want to get in to the possible spiritual implications or complications.

Still, there is so much suffering that is pertinent to this life only and one must try everything within their reach and the raw food diet is a very good one to try.

Your mention of serial predators seems beyond coincidence - have you been reading my mail? ha ha! (old joke.)

[Dimond]

Illness is rarely genetic. It's all caused by toxins-whether in the diet, environment, products, vaccines, etc. Some people are just more susceptible than others. Just a healthy diet alone, would resolve practically every illness and improve people's personalities and lives. So much is caused by digestive issues, though rarely do people understand they have them because they manifest into various symptoms most ignore or try to resolve (coverup) medically or in other ways. Health involves many things besides diet though, so it's important to work on other things as well-exercise, spiritual practices, life improvement techniques, etc.

[luckitri]

Interesting.

There is now some information out there that states that you can avoid your genetic tendencies to disease - if your dad had a heart attack you don't have to be just like him. So who knows, maybe it is just a selling pitch for their particular brand of snake oil?

It seems that everybody's path can lead them to different conclusions. I know that I can see genetically inherited thought patterns and behaviors in my family - it would be too long and personal to explain - but that geographically separated family members with very little communication for decades now show this - in the age of internet we can see and compare.

I think that there are many truths out there - just because one is true does not mean that the other is necessarily false. I also believe that there are many paths to healing just as there are many paths to enlightenment. Now that we have a smorgasbord of ideas available to us through internet we must be discerning adults and logically and methodically try each as we are able until we find the path that works for us.

[SwishTN]

There is also something called generational memories, and these are primarily passed through the eyes.

It is considered to be most dominant between a mother and child, particularly when the child is a baby and breastfeeding. The mother, by looking into her childs eyes, is passing along her generational memories to them, along with her own deep seated thoughts, values, fears, and even traumatic experiences. Might sound hokey, but there is supposed to be scientific backing for this. Kind of helps to understand past lives.

For example, someone may have an extreme fear of water, but be without any trigger or bad experiences with such. come to find out, their mother did, or someone else along the family line.

It happens as we get older as well, and is not limited to this particular phase of life, and only between mother and child.

Just my two cents.

Lauri

[luckitri]

I totally believe in generational memories but thought it was a term of my own invention - did not realize that there is a body of research devoted to it. I believe in transmitted trauma for sure. Some of us get into much self-questioning because of this type thing.

I think the example of the Australian aboriginal walk-about which results in ancient knowledge being transmitted through the experience is a fantastic example. In school (or when I was in school) we were taught strictly the social/psychological perspective but life teaches us that there is so much more that has not been quantified or qualified yet. Which is why I don't care to argue my reality with someone - just to exchange information in hopes of finding avenues to explore that help me understand.

Another aspect of this was confirmed for me just the other night. I had the opportunity to watch Patti Smith's Dream of Life on PBS. AT one point she described how when her brother died his soul chose to transmit all the wonderful parts of his personality to her. I have experienced this and yet never really received corroboration from others about it. It is something too personal to share with those too firmly grounded in western scientifically based thinking or those who are firmly atheistic and find it too challenging to consider these things and would prefer to disdainfully dismiss rather than contemplate the wonders of the world. So in conclusion, my idea is that if the positive can be transmitted in such manner, so can the negative.

[poleidopy]

OK. ANd how many of you who have answered actually have/had a serious mental illness? I ask because it's often really easy to find a cure-all if you yourself have never experienced the problem. It's easy to say "Love is the answer" but really, how is that supposed to help me? The last time I went 100% raw I was under the impression that it was the magic cure-all for my bipolar disorder, but then when I stopped taking my meds I ended up worse off than ever before. I waited to see if it was an initial "detox" period, but things just got worse and worse. I am told I will have to be on these horrible meds for the rest of my life. But that scares me. They cause a whole bunch of awful side-effects, some of which cannot be reversed (tardive dyskinesia, heart defects, etc) I don't WANT to be on the meds, but at this time they are saving my life. Has anyone actually been healed from a severe mental illness by sticking to a raw diet, to the point where they could go off their psych meds safely & successfully?

[luckitri]

A personal story is just that, a personal story. Everybody is unique but here I provide you with a link to a Harvard trained psychiatrist exploring alternate methods and this article is specifically about bipolar disorder. I am hoping that maybe this doctor will know someone in your area doing similar work or some other solution. I personally have no experience with this doctor or any of her patients but learned about her by going to an alternate health fair so hoping this helps you!

http://www.mypassion4health.com/articles/bipolar_illness.html

[poleidopy]

Thanks. That's funny-just yesterday I saw something on tv about those supplements and the same story about the guy with the bipolar kids who got better. I wish I knew what the supplements were - the article doesn't say. They are probably way over my budget, unfortunately.:(

[luckitri]

Figure it out. This lady has to be truly fantastically different since she has her e-mail and phone number right out there and does not make it difficult to contact her. See what you can work out with her and report back.

[streetsurfer]

You might want to read The Second Brain by Michael D. Gershon, M.D. I am working on the book now. There is a chapter ahead of where I am at that discusses psychoneurosis as related to the gut - Chapter Eight, A Bad Bowel. You may be able to find a place to read part of it online.

There are thought to be almost all of the same receptors and neurotransmitters in our gut as there are in the brain. Seretonin is produced in or used by the gut also, not just the brain. An imbalance in the gut can cause a chemical imbalance that affects the brain and therefore cause mental disturbances. By the same token, taking SSRI's and SNRI's and other similar drugs for mental disturbances can wreak havoc on the gut because they don't differentiate between the receptors in the gut and the brain. Acting on the gut they can disrupt it's normal function. It's hard for the brain to be happy when the stomach is not.

As I say, I am working on getting through the book. I hope I have those facts straight and haven't misrepresented anything he says. I suggest you read the book.

If your mind is troubled, look to the gut for a cause...food sensitivities, dysbiosis, infection and inflammation, leaky gut, celiac disease, malnutrition due to malabsorption, IBS, etc. The cause may be there even though you might not feel much discomfort or suffering in the digestive tract.

[margoss]

there's a show called 'know the cause' it's about candidia & many other things...can't remember his name. May be something on there about the the bi-polar. They suggest suppliments. You may be able wean off the meds vs stopping completely, may be safer. I know this is a struggle. My X-H had it..

[EZ rider]

I wonder if water fasting helps to achieve "balance" ?

[lovenlife]

OK. ANd how many of you who have answered actually have/had a serious mental illness? I ask because it's often really easy to find a cure-all if you yourself have never experienced the problem. It's easy to say "Love is the answer" but really, how is that supposed to help me? The last time I went 100% raw I was under the impression that it was the magic cure-all for my bipolar disorder, but then when I stopped taking my meds I ended up worse off than ever before. I waited to see if it was an initial "detox" period, but things just got worse and worse. I am told I will have to be on these horrible meds for the rest of my life. But that scares me. They cause a whole bunch of awful side-effects, some of which cannot be reversed (tardive dyskinesia, heart defects, etc) I don't WANT to be on the meds, but at this time they are saving my life. Has anyone actually been healed from a severe mental illness by sticking to a raw diet, to the point where they could go off their psych meds safely & successfully?

Sorry I didnt mean to minimize your challenges by speaking of love. it has been my personal experience in healing from the scars of life.

Food, any food, is NOT the "cure". I see raw as purging it all OUT and UP to the SURFACE to be dealt with. The WAY to get well from mental illness (in the ol my opinion thing) is to do an indepth study into your self.

Deep looking and seeing and processing and healing, calling on tools such as books relating to your particular siutation (issues if you will). Learning about loving yourself and accepting your life exactly as it is. Your perspective on life is your experience of life. Perspective is everything in how you deal with and enjoy your life!!!

This is not a miracle either. It is the opening, the way to wellness.

This has been MY experience for dealing with whatever emotional, mental challenges I have had in this life.

I have been at it for fifty years and I am truly happy. Saying so, saying "I am happy" sounds simple but it works. Smiling is profound.

When we change the way we look at things, the things we look at change. Wayne Dyer

note..none of this to minimize your difficulty. simply to share with you...

[luckitri]

Agreed lovenlife. You may truly have the bipolar but these terms are flung about so easily anymore (and the Rx) that it is truly a maze to seek knowledge and evaluate all your circumstance to know the truth and the solution. Weaning off ANY Rx can take incredible amount of time and the Dr.s are not aware of this.

If there is a lack of mineral that can create your solution, ingesting that mineral in food form is not always successful due to myriad possibilities including lack of proper combination to allow absorption, other digestive issues, or even something you are ingesting that prohibits absorption. There are even ethnic variables that allow some to make use of nutrients in a specific form while others do not - sometimes enzyme related.

If there are people in your life whose agendas are better served keeping you ill (not talking about the doctors here ;)) this also merits consideration as well as keeping proper boundaries if that is the case.

Unconditional love is very healing.

[lovenlife]

Yes that is a term thrown around alot and if this is the case with P. it might be a bit longer to heal.

I beleive we live in an unreal world and all of its challenges and it is an ongoing mind game to keep the balance. Listening to what you need continually will attain this place.

Meds I dont know. I have a friend who weaned herself off meds because docs wont help w that. SHe is doing fine yet she is working on her whole self not just one things or two. SHe is happy now!

[luckitri]

The challenges can seem insurmountable. The insurance, money issue. The fact that employers will not allow for the longer times true healing takes - the legal medical system only allows for the quick fixes and surgical interventions. I am acknowledging all this is extremely difficult and I have been caught myself battling it for many years but grateful for things like internet which is a blessing in the amount of alternatives and ideas one can avail oneself of the knowledge of at least. At least can feel like well-informed prior to choosing a path.

Love is the miracle and prayer changes thing. (Even prayer was denied to me at first - my upbringing ridiculed spirituality in any form - but even if it is merely a panacea/placebo and I am just praying to an invisible "friend" - I do find that it helps. Other people have different terms for it and attach all kinds of political implications to their spirituality - so not to offend any of those but I find sticking to common words facilitates understanding.)

Off to prayerfully manage my life.;)

[lovenlife]

Ah LOVE IS a miracle.

[RawDawn]

Poleidopy , I posted my experience with raw foods helping (not curing) mental illness here:

http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/showthread.php?t=57475

fwiw, though I've not received an official diagnosis since I'm terrified of docs I suspect I'm actually bipolar, though just the hypomanic kind. It's definitely possible that I'm only "officially" depressive, though ;)

This doesn't answer your question but I hope it helps you some.

Dawn

[lil fairy z girl]

i think what we eat does affect our mood, but as to a cure for mental illness... i think you need to treat the whole person, mind as well, so i don't think that diet can alone can cure someone of mental illness, it can help, but it can't wipe away memories, or change past experiences or behaviours.

just my thoughts,

sal
~*~*~*

[Bredelly]

Broken Aquarian, you are so right! - up my alley of thought. I was just reading an article about where the memory is stored and they no longer think that it is stored in the body, or a physical structure in the brain. Apparently there was a case of a fully functioning Frenchman who had nothing inside his head! They showed a scan of it - he was truly empty headed! So it is a truly very complex topic. So I often wonder if people are acting out ancestral and genetic unresolved patterns - or a form of shock or pain that is passed down, how we are not sure. I don't even want to get in to the possible spiritual implications or complications.

Still, there is so much suffering that is pertinent to this life only and one must try everything within their reach and the raw food diet is a very good one to try.

Your mention of serial predators seems beyond coincidence - have you been reading my mail? ha ha! (old joke.)


Not so sure about this. Statements like this need to be backed up. No brain? It seems pretty evident that a brain is required in order to be remotely functional.

[mallow]

That's a rather broad question.

I won't respond directly, yes or no, but I heard something from Tonya Kay the other day that I thought was interesting. She says that she doesn't think that raw actually heals anything, but going raw removes the detrimental effects of cooked. The body heals itself when and to what extent it's able. hm.

[Raw.N.It.Out]

Great Thread, & Discussions BTW!! :)

Maybe a partial to being on Raw, is all in the mind. We feel if though we are helping out the environment in a way & helping ourselves through food which affects how we function to the best of our ability. Sending good or bad vibes in & out. Also remembering that there are many different Axis(s) of Mental Illness's, Personality disorders to illness's that can come from no where later in life which are sometimes genetic & sometimes not.

I believe who we are & how we function has to do with the crucial time period of what we picked up at ages 0-5 & how our environment continually treated us & how we chose to act upon it. & That we've chosen how to be & who to be in this life time.

IDK too much about Bipolar Disorder's but I do know that I myself have done a TON of work from within in the last 5 years or so, and becoming Raw is just one more part of the equation in healing myself.

I was placed on anti-depressants/anti-anxiety in one for a couple of years & told that I would probably never ever be able to come off of them or at least be on them for a very long time. & as soon as I was diagnosed with a *Mental Illness* it was such a relief to know how to deal with it, & what it was, because I'd struggled with it for my whole life. I am trying to share this quickly..lol :p The intriguing thing about the treatment that I have been in, is that it has spiritual/meditation/Nutritional aspects, it has to do with everything.

I know most therapies do, but it's not your typical *Talk Therapy* It really pushes boundaries & pushes one to explore all aspects of life & themselves.

As it has been mentioned, it's all about working on yourself as a whole. I just think if someone comes to the Raw Diet looking for a miracle, than maybe right now isn't the right time to be exploring this lifestyle change. Maybe there are other things that needed to be sorted first. I am just saying this from my own experience, 2 or 3 years ago, I wouldn't have been well enough to even TRY to want to eat this way.

****This is by no way a slap in the face or myself telling any one person how I think they should be, just speaking from my own experiences**** I know a strong point might be, well if they went Raw now it would help them further along. Not always. It's like ppl who fight to lose weight all their lives, of course they want to, but sometimes choosing to eat better & exercise everyday is just not an option at this time.

[Blazin'Jane]

I've seen several people who were able to cut down on the amount of psychrotropic drugs they were taking. All sorts of body systems get healed on raw foods. That doens't mean that you can in all cases be prescription free, but most people can lose some of their medications. I think this should be done slowly and in close dialog with a physician. The first thing to do is to get raw and then, after a few months, see how well you're feeling. I think you'll know what you might be able to cut down on or out, and then you can chat with your physician about options. A few months later, maybe there will be more to let go of and so on. Be patient. Healing takes time. But RAW does enable the body to heal.

[poleidopy]

A personal story is just that, a personal story. Everybody is unique but here I provide you with a link to a Harvard trained psychiatrist exploring alternate methods and this article is specifically about bipolar disorder. I am hoping that maybe this doctor will know someone in your area doing similar work or some other solution. I personally have no experience with this doctor or any of her patients but learned about her by going to an alternate health fair so hoping this helps you!

http://www.mypassion4health.com/articles/bipolar_illness.html
I just wanted to report back with what's going on. First of all, I most definitely have bipolar disorder. It's generational in my family, my mom has it, my aunts, my grandmother, her mother and so on. I began exhibiting the symptoms of the disease long before I even knew what bipolar was. It has been a life-long thing for me. I have been hospitalized for it several times. Anyway, I started taking those supplements you linked to luckitri. They are VERY expensive ($150/month) and insurance doesn't cover it but...I am getting well! My moods are evening out more every single day and I have more energy and feel great. Taking these supplements along with a raw diet I feel like I have discovered a miracle! I have NEVER experienced this level of wellness in my whole life. I mean, I was suicidal from the time I was a young kid. No more! I am feeling wonderful on SO many different levels. Raw food may not have been *the* answer, but it was definitely a part of the solution. :D

Forgot to add - now that I am taking these supplements I am also slowly weaning off the dangerous, poisonous psych meds. And I'm *still* doing great!

[theresaann]

WOW! thats great! Can I ask what the supplements are that you are taking? I'm a holistic therapist and work with people mostly on the psychological level (with spiritual counseling and structural realignment therapies) and would love to know that info....I'll check out that website link too. Thanks!

[poleidopy]

theresaann- The supplement is called EMPowerPlus by a company called TrueHope. www.truehope.com Their support people are AMAZING. You can call in for anything, even if you just have a bunch of questions or want to talk to someone and they are there. They are really knowledgeable too.

[theresaann]

thanks so much for sharing this information. My fiance's 7 year old daughter is autistic/aspbergers and her mom is totally unwilling to get her the help she needs so we are taking a way more proactive role now. This will help her, I know it. :)

[CathyA.]

I have always been depressed. Even as a child I suffered with it. SAD, makes me sad. Not until I changed my diet to primarily RAW, did I get any relief from it. Doctors want you on anti-depressants, and you don't want to feel they way that you do...so you take them and hope. Only to find that they make you even "crazier". The road to raw was a long one with lots of trial and error. I know for me, RAW is the cure. I only truely feel great when following this way of eating.

[luckitri]

Thanks poleidopy. I am glad to read that you took action and are experiencing positive results. Actually wonderful to read.