Veganism and Depression

As my three year Vegiversary approaches, I’ve been thinking about my growth over the past couple of years and how much my depression has been quelled since I’ve gravitated towards going vegan. I stopped eating meat almost three years ago and slowly but surely made my way to a completely plant based diet shortly after. It wasn’t overnight, but it was at a pace I was comfortable with and something I never even expected to happen.

I’ve struggled with depression since I was 14 (I’m 29 now), that started with an overdose and was followed by years of therapy, medication, journaling, meditation, yoga, exercise, etc. You name it, I tried it! But I don’t think anything has singlehandedly had more of an impact on my happiness than going vegan.

Veganism isn’t just about what you eat; it’s a way of living and, for me, one that started with giving back. I first began to change my outlook on how I lived while volunteering at the local animal shelter a couple years ago. Shortly after, I stopped eating meat and I became more and more aware about not only what kind of food I ate but also where it came from, how, and where I purchased it. That was almost three years ago and can honestly say I’ve never been happier and more fulfilled.

I was wondering if this was just a coincidence when I was watching a documentary titled “Happy” and was sure that going vegan was directly correlated to my happiness. In the film (which I strongly recommend), they state that “gratitude, compassion, caring, love; spiritual emotions that make you think of things bigger than yourself” will allow you to transcend life and that once you “stop seeking only your own happiness and worry about the well being of the world, your life grows.”

They also identified three intrinsic goals that inherently happy people pursue and value, which include: “personal growth (trying to be who I really am), relationships (close connected relationships with friends and loved ones), and community feeling (having a sense of wanting to help the world be a better.” I watched as each value they described and thought, “Yes, yes, yes!!” It all began to make sense that this wasn’t just a coincidence but that I had altered my state of happiness through what I ate and how, and that through what I ate; I changed the very way I functioned.

Now, I’m not a doctor and I’m not saying this will cure all but I think it’s an amazing place to start. I firmly believe that once I stopped consuming the pain and agony of others, that I was able to rid myself of my own. Maybe it sounds all hippy-dippy, but ingesting that kind of torture and allowing it to enter my body, how could I not take on that suffering? If we are what we eat, then I was a body of hurt.

This new belief system has not only given me something to believe in, but it’s made me a stronger person by standing up for those beliefs. Any set of beliefs that is not the norm will often be judged, questioned, and attacked so if you’re vegetarian or vegan, you know how often you might have to defend yourself on a daily basis. These challenges have become opportunities that have allowed me to change the way I engage with others, how I articulate my thoughts and feelings, and, most importantly, weeded out those who do not support, encourage and respect me.

My life now is busy, rich, fulfilling and happy. I’m no longer dependent on medication and suffer from  fewer panic attacks, the nightmares are infrequent and you’ll see me smiling more often than not. If someone were to stop me on the street and ask if I’m happy, I can confidently and genuinely reply, “Yes.” I’ve read that depression is a “dangerous side to veganism” but the reality is that if you do your research and feed your body and mind with things like nutrient rich foods, engaging activities, and loving relationships – happiness suddenly seems accessible and sustainable.