Behavioral & Psychological effects of specific foods

[HauntedGraffiti]

Hello everyone! My name is Devin and although I am not a full raw-foodist, I have been enjoying a 50-80% raw food diet for about 6 months now. It has improved a few physical conditions and the PLETHORA of mental "illnesses" I suffered. My theory is that mental illness directly links to the food we eat (or even have eaten in the past), along with chemicals in the environment like lead and mercury. But after doing some "experiments", I have concluded that food was the cause for me. I understand there is no way to really prove that the majority of people with mental disease has it due to their food unless they turn toward the raw food diet, in my belief.

Now. The behavioral and psychological effects from foods really caught my interest when I was surfing the net and came upon RawFoodExplained.com. Here's what I extracted from a certain article I read:
- Wheat causes unnecesary conflict, makes people have an "edge", as well as rye and sugar.
- Meats and eggs and onions cause an unsatisfied state of mind.

I am VERY interested in learning more about this, and how certain foods make us think and react differently, without us even knowing! I've searched online all over, and besides that one website I mentioned..I can't seem to find anything else on the behavioral effects from specific foods. I feel it is important for me and everyone else in the world to know these things. Thanks if you can help me!
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[lovenlife]

Well I know Kathamoleen said she works in the prison system (I think its her) and said how those allergic to gluten have serios reactions if they get wheat.

I am convinced it plummets the mental state.

I know green juice has overflowed me with bliss and joy. Then if I eat cooked I get very down.

High vibration foods make higher vibrating mental energy.
Lower vibe create lower...all there is to say.

You are right on the money.

[Draginvry]

I'm not raw either (hence why I don't post here often). I'm somewhat of a food researcher. I've done lots of experiments specifically on the issue that you posted. My conclusions lead me to belief that food doesn't create emotions, per se. However, food can influence emotion.



- Wheat causes unnecesary conflict, makes people have an "edge", as well as rye and sugar.

Some carbohydrate-rich foods cause a sensation of restlessness. This can cause things like insomnia, aggressiveness, and lack of peace.


Meats and eggs and onions cause an unsatisfied state of mind.

Don't know about onions, but I have noticed that meats and eggs tend to bring out the darker side of people. Eggs in particular, seem very bad. I rarely eat eggs because they smell bad. I think I've had eggs one time in the last year.


I've searched online all over, and besides that one website I mentioned..I can't seem to find anything else on the behavioral effects from specific foods.

Overlooking the emotional component of food has been one of the greatest mistakes of modern science. The irony is that the places where a clean diet is most necessary (prison, for example) are usually the places where food quality is worst.

[RawKnitster]

I don't want to turn this discussion to animal cruelty, but I read somewhere that we are taking on the suffering of the animals when we eat animal products. Something to the idea that violence begets more violence. I also vaguely remember reading about a prison that went vegan as an experiment. Violence dropped to almost nothing during the experiment.

Sorry, I can't point you to where I read these things. It was a while ago. Keep looking! I'm sure you will find more on the subject of food and behavior.

[Broken Aquarian]

I don't want to turn this discussion to animal cruelty, but I read somewhere that we are taking on the suffering of the animals when we eat animal products. Something to the idea that violence begets more violence. I also vaguely remember reading about a prison that went vegan as an experiment. Violence dropped to almost nothing during the experiment.

Sorry, I can't point you to where I read these things. It was a while ago. Keep looking! I'm sure you will find more on the subject of food and behavior.

You know, that may be true - about the violence in the animal product. I have 6 chickens and they are spoiled rotten. They have a very good life and get treats every day. They love to come for pets when you go into the coop - which is large and spacious.

I've never had any moodiness from my coop eggs I've eaten(when i'm not completely raw) They've always been nourishing to me. They look, smell and taste very different than store eggs.

The eggs that you get from the store that are mass produced, are from very unhappy chickens, living a less than good(and short) life. The bad energy in them, may be in their eggs and meat - I wouldn't doubt it. :(

[walnutty]

I recommend watching the DVD "Food Matters". I wouldn't want to quote it incorrectly, but the connection between what we eat and brain disorders is discussed.

It is an excellent documentary. So excellent, in fact, that after renting it I purchased it and watch it often. Great info!

[VeGenesis]

streetsurfer passed this on to me (thanks Street surfer - I appreciate it...)

http://glutenfreeeasily.com/top-20-you-should-know/

Sample:

Top 20 Things You Should Know About the Impact of Gluten

4. Gluten can have a dramatic impact on psychological wellness and may be at the root of many cases of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

9. Gluten-induced illness can take many forms, including more than 200 diseases, syndromes, and conditions. (Cancer anyone?)

19. Depression is the most common symptom of celiac disease (caused by eating gluten!)

Just want to pass this on - maybe someone is suffering and do not know it...

Note this is not strictly about raw food, but the easy way to be gluten free is Raw Food.

[WestVirginiaRaw]

That is very interesting. I am suffering from a pretty severe depression and have been for a while. Many outside influences are causing me major mental distress. Seems that no matter what I do I am always getting kicked in the guts. Being kicked while I am down and never get a chance to get up and brush myself off. I have been and still am eating the standard American diet which includes pasta and bread and other gluten infested foods but I am trying to learn as much as I can so I can start making the changes I need to make for a healthier future. I am very curious how much a diet change would go in making a mental health change.

[Dimond]

The main issue is really digestion. It seems that pretty much every illness leads back to this, even if we don't realize it. It creates so many other symptoms. Every food allergy/toxin-issue all creates digestion issues. Eating the right food is one way this can be resolved, though often other factors are involved too.

[lovenlife]

VeGenesis:streetsurfer passed this on to me (thanks Street surfer - I appreciate it...)

[url]http://glutenfreeeasily.com/top-20-you-should-know

awesome!!!

[walnutty]

Again, I highly recommend "Food Matters" as severe depression IS discussed!

[walnutty]

As is Niacin Therapy, which you should definitely consider!

[VeGenesis]

I am very curious how much a diet change would go in making a mental health change.
Eating Raw Food was the EASY way for me to be gluten free... In the Philippines with bad label laws it is actually harder to follow the Standard GF diet or no Wheat, Rye or Barley or anything made of it.

WVR - you are not alone - every thing you said I have felt something I can relate to... Plus more... I also have the Celiac (Silly Act?) RAGE! Some believe the #1 cause of Road Rage is Gluten. PLEASE be tested for Celiac Disease - 97% of people who have it - about 30,000,000 in the USA - do not know it!

My Honeybun tells her friends that when I stopped eating gluten - she got a new husband! A man who was depresses and angry every day - turned into a man who is usually happy and was only angry once in a year when he was cheated on a cell phone deal (being cheated our of money usually makes people angry so we do not count that one! Besides - it was directed anger - not the Gluten Rage from before. After we left the store I took my Honeybun to her favorite place and we had wonderful, anger free afternoon!)

Depression is so common among people with Celiac Disease I advise everyone with Depression to be tested... And do not let your doctor talk you out of the test... ALL three of my Former doctors said I did not have CD - I had to demand to be tested - when I learned the truth - I fired all of them!

Being GF or Raw or Both is a choice - I had to give up a lot to have this life... I gave up my depression. I gave up my anger. I gave up daily feeling like the worst word you would use! I gave up a lot! And sometimes I trip or what I now call experiment with SAD food (Standard Asian Diet here, Pizza Hut, McDo, Burger King, KFC - sound familiar?)

There are more and more people who are both Raw and GF so just google those together...

Best wishes on you Journey...

[VeGenesis]

The main issue is really digestion.

Dimond - very true - when we cook something digestion starts artificially outside of the body. Likewise dead enzymes and chemical changes form the bulk of picotoxins that build up in our system - often protected by fat - they feed our illnesses!

[lovenlife]

That is very interesting. I am suffering from a pretty severe depression and have been for a while. Many outside influences are causing me major mental distress. Seems that no matter what I do I am always getting kicked in the guts. Being kicked while I am down and never get a chance to get up and brush myself off. I have been and still am eating the standard American diet which includes pasta and bread and other gluten infested foods but I am trying to learn as much as I can so I can start making the changes I need to make for a healthier future. I am very curious how much a diet change would go in making a mental health change.

Keeping a very high raw diet WILL make a huge change in your mental health...the answer is YES!

[WestVirginiaRaw]

Again, I highly recommend "Food Matters" as severe depression IS discussed!

Watching it now on the internet. So far very interesting.

[Shels]

This is intriguing, thanks for sharing. :)

[walnutty]

Well.....what did those that watched "Food Matters" think?

Has anyone started Niacin Therapy because of watching this?

Because I did. Soon after. I have been taking Niacin now for 8 months. If you have any questions about Niacin, Niacin flushing or anything else, please feel free to contact me.

[Conscious Midwife]

I think consuming animal products that are kosher/halal has a lot to do with the agression and anger that folks are experienceing today. Event the violent way we get out eggs and milk I think has a lot to do with how many children are reacting.

Also find HFC to be a legalized form of crack. This DRUG should be banned and it should never be in babay formula!

Actually commercial baby formula in and of itself is horrific too! So unnantural. If for whatever reason you can't or choose not to nursethen make your own "baby milk"

[margoss]

I see my dd have withdrawals from foods I'm weaning her from...it's not nice. I have trouble with red peppers...they make me very sad & lathargic. Yellow/Orange hlep me feel wonderful. Oil pulling makes me feel awake, ready to go and so good. My dd enjoys OP.

[LANG]

I am no NO DOUBT that raw food can have a huge impact..

but isnt there such a thing as personality? not trying to sound stupid just asking really

i have a friend who smokes, eats lots of meat and rarely any veggies but he still isnt depressed at all.. if anything im a hell of alot more than he is..

im NOT over reacting when im saying that he is seriously one of the most happiest people i know thats why i brought him up...

[christinajade]

My pet sitter's son was cured of his autism by diet!! No joke! The doctors were amazed!! They omitted dairy and gluten from his diet and gave him more raw foods. I occasionally gave left raw food snacks in the fridge for him too. :) I totally think that all that bad gluten and other crap in cooked foods can cause certain diseases and character issues. Look at the vilence of the Italian mafia...they sure eat a lot of pasta!:D;)

[VeGenesis]

but isnt there such a thing as personality? not trying to sound stupid just asking really

No one is the same... Except for identical twins, no two people have the same DNA. We now know that animal hormones alter or manipulate our DNA. That includes the animal hormones that we ourselves make - like fear and anger release our own hormones. During our lifetime we evolve. Therefore even "identical" twins are Not identical - not even at birth for natural twins because the first twin experiences more stress and a higher hormone level than the one born second.

The point is, no two people will react exactly the same to anything.

Celiac Disease... People with Celiac disease react to harmful peptide sequences in the proteins of wheat, rye and barley. In wheat these proteins are the gluten proteins. Strictly speaking there is not gluten in rye or barley or any other grains. But people refer to the sticky stretchy peptide sequences as "gluten". And people with Celiac disease react to these in wheat, rye and barley.

All Plant Embryos have protein peptide sequences in them. Plant embryos are the parts we plant - seeds, nuts, grain, beans - so in effect they all have a "gluten" in them when the term gluten is used in the loosest way. On this site you will find rawfoodist, like myself, recommending some people limit or avoid the intake of plant embryos. Surely there are many in alternate health who have flashy warnings about the evils of grain - any grain!

I tend to look at things in a Natural Man way. How would the natural man eat. Using a rock it may take him hours to eat a cashew nut! He would starve on that for a diet! Apples, oranges and green leafy veggies would be much easier.

Most Natural Beans have protein peptide sequences in them that make them toxic to eat in a raw state. And a natural man also would starve it he tried to harvest sprouts growing wild on the ground! On the other hand, while eating the fleshly pods of green beans - he may also ingest a limited few green bean seeds.

Limited is the key to Nuts! 2.5 walnuts (EFA), 1 Brazil nut (selenium) and half dozen almonds (Vitamin E and Alkaloids) may actually be a a good thing for some people (you can get most of this in greens also). However, 2 Brazil nuts a day could give you selenium poisoning! Many people do fine with no nuts and some people would die eating nuts.

Many religious books have guides that teach about what to eat. For example the Biblical guide says to eat plants and fruits that grow from seeds. Please note that it does not say to harvest and eat the seeds!

In Nature, Grains, Beans, Nuts and Seeds often have hard protection shells (nuts, seeds and grain), or poisonous peptide sequences (seeds and beans) to help steer mankind away from using these as a food source.

Corn... Some people (myself included) react to the peptide sequences in corn - HFC or HFCS has a strong reaction in me and many others. I also react badly to corn starch and corn syrup too! If you follow the news, it gets even more scary... For example...

Corn gluten meal was developed as an herbicide by Iowa State University horticulturist Nick Christians.

Corn gluten meal is a by-product of processing corn to make corn starch and corn syrup. It is generally sold as a golden yellow meal or as light brown granules. In addition to its use as an herbicide, it is used as food for cows, cats, dogs, fish, and poultry.

So basically they are using this highly processes herbicide to feed animals used for people food.

Corn gluten meal is about 10 percent nitrogen so it's a good natural fertilizer.

And they are using this highly processes herbicide as a "natural fertilizer" to grow people food...

So basically they process it like crazy and then they call it "natural"...

Corn gluten meal prevents sprouting seeds from developing normal roots. This does not directly kill the seedlings, but makes them susceptible to dehydration if the soil gets dry.

Makes you wonder what it would do to people - and they feed this "by-product of processing corn" to cows, fish and poultry and feed that to people...

On a humorous point... Nuts, seeds and grains often have a toxic effect the produce a crazy reaction. Eating a small amount of cyanide in some seeds/beans/nuts will make a person do some very crazy things. In English we may refer to a person like that as "going nuts" or "gone crackers" - did we get those terms from eating plant embryos?

Enthusiastic about Raw Food.... Incidentally the term "gone bananas" originally meant to be super enthusiastic about something - almost to the point of acting a little crazy! I would almost be willing to bet that was coined about someone who had learned the value of eating raw foods.

I am pretty sure I have gone bananas!

Have You?

[nadien alexandra]

I love love love this thread.

It's way past my bedtime so I have nothing insightful to offer, but I do however have a lot to research.

one thing: the way I acted two years ago and the way I act now, is completely different. I used to have terrible mood swings, manic depression, weight problems, terrible acne.... the list goes on.

And I feel like an entirely new person. I rarely ever get very upset. I am no longer depressed (I had been so for most of my life in and out of clinics and always a therapist around). My personality has CHANGED (for the better).

RAW food has brought me to this healthy mental state. I can say that without a doubt, it was raw food (as well as the exclusion of grains, dairy, meat, refined sugars and over processed foods of course).

Thanks for all the info everyone, let's keep this thread alive with more info/discussion!

[VeGenesis]

Great post alex - thanks for your contribution. So ofter here we focus on weight loss and physical Dis-Ease But the more threads you read the more you notice a mental, emotional, and spiritual wellness going on too.

I have often said, my wife tells people she got a new, improved, husband.

Like us, you have gone bananas - you KNOW it changed your life!

I think about people who talk about going raw and what they have to "give up!"

But for people who are raw or at least high raw - the things we gave up are really not food at all.

Yesterday at the Mall I saw people looking at this beautiful chocolate cake. I mean that - it was a thing of beauty - a piece of artwork! But as I looked at it I started getting these feelings... Remembering the feeling of being kicked in the gut, followed by the Celiac Rage, being angry with my sweet Honeybun, and feeling the shame after it was over the next day... I ended up feeling very repulsed by that beautiful cake! I did not feel I gave up the cake - I felt like I gave up all those bad things and it made my life so much better!

[walnutty]

I am no NO DOUBT that raw food can have a huge impact..

but isnt there such a thing as personality? not trying to sound stupid just asking really

i have a friend who smokes, eats lots of meat and rarely any veggies but he still isnt depressed at all.. if anything im a hell of alot more than he is..

im NOT over reacting when im saying that he is seriously one of the most happiest people i know thats why i brought him up...


It will catch up with them!

It's interesting that you brought this up because this situation is also discussed in "Food Matters".

One of the doctors is talking about cardiovascular disease. He points out that in many cases the first sign of it is death. There are no other symptoms. It appears that the person is able to eat, drink, smoke and live a happy life. Then they are dead. Then it's too late to change your diet, meditate and exercise!

It's a great documentary!!!

[lovenlife]

Enthusiastic about Raw Food.... Incidentally the term "gone bananas" originally meant to be super enthusiastic about something - almost to the point of acting a little crazy! I would almost be willing to bet that was coined about someone who had learned the value of eating raw foods.

I am pretty sure I have gone bananas!

Have You?[/QUOTE]

I am sure I have "Gone Green" as in wildly ecstatic and exuberant over greens and alot of times feel high and blissed out on them....hahaha

[lovenlife]

It will catch up with them!

It's interesting that you brought this up because this situation is also discussed in "Food Matters".

One of the doctors is talking about cardiovascular disease. He points out that in many cases the first sign of it is death. There are no other symptoms. It appears that the person is able to eat, drink, smoke and live a happy life. Then they are dead. Then it's too late to change your diet, meditate and exercise!

It's a great documentary!!!

I gotta see this...is it on the internet.... FREE?

[lovenlife]

Yesterday at the Mall I saw people looking at this beautiful chocolate cake. I mean that - it was a thing of beauty - a piece of artwork! But as I looked at it I started getting these feelings... Remembering the feeling of being kicked in the gut, followed by the Celiac Rage, being angry with my sweet Honeybun, and feeling the shame after it was over the next day... I ended up feeling very repulsed by that beautiful cake! I did not feel I gave up the cake - I felt like I gave up all those bad things and it made my life so much better!

Let them NOT eat cake!!!

Cake=nothing good can come of it

[HauntedGraffiti]

I gotta see this...is it on the internet.... FREE?

I watched it after hearing in this thread and it's very "fun" to watch!
Here's the best link I've found: http://www.megavideo.com/?v=2TAZNZLA

And thanks everyone for the great reads in this thread!

[nadien alexandra]

this is a GREAT docu.

You can find tons of other really good and informative ones in This section http://documentaryheaven.com/category/health/

of Documentary Heaven.

I so love learning about this stuff.

The one on the disappearing male kind of freaked me out.

The more I learn, the more I want to eat RAW. :D