How Does Going Gluten-Free Impact Mental Health?
Conditions attributed to wheat intolerance
This phenomenon was the focus of a study mentioned by Dr. William Davis in his book, Wheat Belly. The researchers theorize that the exorphins (the exogenous morphin-like compounds) might be directly related to the body’s reaction to gluten. A study, led by Dr. F. Curtis Dohan at the Veteran’s Administration Hospital in Coatesville, Pennsylvania, showed that the exorphins might be a major factor that’s involved in the down-turn of symptoms in schizophrenia. Dr. Dohan also claims that wheat is one of few foods that induces extreme side effects in the brain, such as altering behavior and facilitating feelings of pleasure, thus causing withdrawal symptoms when it’s omitted from the diet. With this in mind, one can tell that gluten can definitely affect, if not exacerbate, symptoms associated with mental health conditions such as:
- Depression
- Schizophrenia
