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Vegan Diet Linked to Delusions, Student Dies
20 May
Summary
- Student died after developing delusions due to B12 deficiency.
- The deficiency stemmed from her vegan diet and not taking supplements.
- An inquest concluded her death was self-inflicted due to these beliefs.
A tragic case unfolded where a university student died after developing delusional beliefs, which an inquest determined were caused by a vitamin B12 deficiency stemming from her vegan diet. Georgina Owen, 21, who adopted a vegan lifestyle in 2016 due to environmental concerns, had reportedly not taken her B12 supplements for at least six months by August 2019.
Her family observed unusual and erratic behavior in the period leading up to her death. While psychiatric evaluation suggested her diary entries alone did not indicate suicidal intent, her final note provided evidence of possible mental illness and delusions. Blood tests confirmed a vitamin B12 deficiency, likely resulting from her nearly three-year vegan diet.
Tragically, Ms. Owen was found deceased at her home on September 19, 2019, shortly before she was due to return to Swansea University. The coroner concluded that Ms. Owen died from a self-inflicted ligature to her neck while suffering from delusions brought on by the vitamin B12 deficiency. This deficiency was a direct consequence of her vegan diet, highlighting a recognized link between severe B12 deficiency and psychiatric manifestations.
