Hi everyone, I am a relatively new to this diet and am wondering if anyone else has experienced brain fog, or inability to think clearly on this diet. I have been doing silly things lately like forgetting where I parked my car and wiping down the wrong machine at the gym, just generally feeling "out of it".  It sounds funny but it can be very distressing to feel like this. For this reason, I went back to eating meat a couple of times a week, when I do I usually feel better mentally.  I am eating plenty of calories as well as beans, whole grains, veggies and protein. I don't understand what is going on, Has anyone else experience this? maybe I am missing a key nutrient

*meant to write experienced dizziness not experiences lol, see I can't even type!

I had a problem when I first went vegan with the room literally spinning. Through process of elimination I decided it was a B-12 deficiency. I solved it by adding a multi-vitamin or B Complex supplement . Now I eat nutritional yeast on everything I think could use a cheesy kick ( it's a really rich source) and eat WAY healthier.

thanks for this post!  I just thought it was "baby brain" (a 3 month old and a 26 month old here!) but i have felt a little dizzy in the mornings since going fully vegan 4 days ago.  other then that i feel great!  i'll be getting b12 vitamins and nutritional yeast tomorrow :)

Just starting week 3, and had a few crazy days last week.  Broke and had some of the kids gum drops on the weekend thinking they would help.  Bad idea, woke up the next morning with a killer headache.  Brain starting to feel better this week but still have that feeling of being unsatisfied, not hungry but something missing.

I've had a little dizziness - I combat that with B-complex also, along with magnesium (adrenals/kidneys suck up the stuff when stressed). I also make sure to eat regular (little) bits of various proteins, including nuts, nut butters, soy, seitan, beans, quinoa & other grains. And I hydrate frequently and regularly! The fuzziness could be related to stress, or to sugar-brain, or to mental overload (may not be connected overtly to veganism, IOW).

welcome to my world!

thank you everyone for your responses! I thought I was the only one. 

Michelle and AB thanks for your insight,  maybe it is a b-vitamin or magnesium deficiency, I am going to look into a supplement. I haven't been eating the best (too much sugar and junk) and have been under a lot of stress, finals at school! so it could be that

Cindy, I totally understand that feeling of being unsatisfied, missing something....it is the reason why I have gone back to eating meat a couple of times a week, but then I seem to be detoxing from that! so I am going to make a concerted effort to eat more balanced meals and get more sleep. hope you all feel better soon!

I have only been vegetarian for a week so this is all new to me too, so i feel your pain girl.                I have'nt experianced brain fog. My thing is very bad headaches and moodiness, i hope it passes soon!! Hope you feel better soon Christine!

i know i experienced about a week of severe "allergies" that i assumed was my system detoxing like alicia outlined in TKL, but now?  haha, now i think i may actually be becoming a superhero...my energy is through the roof, my body radiates health and happiness, and even my senses have gotten more sensitive - from taste and smell to that 6th sense...i can only describe it as having been handed the headphones to the conversation my body has always been having....

Be sure that you are eating LOADS of veggies and grains and nuts and legumes - you need a variety, and if you take shortcuts, you'll definitely feel the results...especially because your body is finally becoming able to communicate more clearly with you...please don't muffle it!

I don't see myself ever going back, and I'm doing all I can to get as much support going as possible, bc I truly believe that all of our Lives depend on it.  This is not just a selfish decision - this is our contribution, our sacrifice to win a battle that will protect ALL Living Things.