Reason for Vegan #2: Peacefulness

While there are plenty of factors that affect our moods, I’ve noticed that vegetarians/vegans seem to generally have a more peaceful disposition than those that consume a lot of meat.  There are many theories out there about why this is.  The most popular being that chemicals or hormones released during the slaughter of animals remains in their systems and we consume them when we eat meat.  While I haven’t found any credible evidence to support this, while doing a little personal research on the effects of eating on mood and behavior, I found more opinionated literature than professional research.  Certainly this is something worth looking into.  It stands to reason that the slaughtering and consumption of the flesh of any living creature (which is quite different than plants who are also living but lack the intelligence and ability to interact within or outside their own species) isn’t a very humane act.  In fact I can remember watching nature shows as a child and seeing lions savagely attacking zebras by jumping them and piercing their long sharp fangs into the neck of their prey until finally disabling it.  Afterwards the other lions joined in ripping and pulling the flesh and finally feasting.  I cringed at the viciousness and goriness of it, but it was made clear to me even then that it was the “natural order” of things.  Be that as it may, I don’t see myself as a wild animal needing to attack my meal in order to survive, and just because someone else does it for me doesn’t absolve me of the act.  Even my ancestors had the option of choosing vegetation over flesh and I have no doubt those that did were able to survive just as well.  I’ve also considered that eating meat at the very minimum has a negative impact on how the human body functions and anytime something is impairing our bodies ability to function be it overloads of sugar, salt, or food in general, it would be extremely difficult to maintain a placid like disposition.  Thinking about it, if we’re uncomfortable for any length of time we get irritable.  Also, I realize the Earth in all its magnificence, is angry in its own right.  Perhaps that might be because we’re destroying her at an alarming rate by cutting down her beautiful shrubbery to increase land mass in order to graze more animals for slaughter.  I don’t think anyone right now can deny the impact this has had on our environment and how it operates which seems to directly and indirectly affect how humans behave.  In my own personal experience, I have noticed quite a difference in my coping abilities and overall tranquility since changing my diet, and I would be lying if I said it didn’t improve even more as my diet evolves into a healthier one.  As I’ve stated before, vegan is not synonymous with healthy.  Any diet can be poorly managed.  All things considered, I believe there is a notable correlation between the herbivorous diet and a peaceful existence.  Therefore, I remain encouraged to “increase the peace” by maintaining my vegan status for the long haul, because I know it makes a positive and peaceful impact on my health, my family’s health, animals, and the planet.