Lithium in drinking water & incidences of crimes, suicides

Abstract: Using data for 27 Texas counties from 1978-1987, it is shown that the incidence rates of suicide, homicide, and rape are significantly higher in counties whose drinking water supplies contain little or no lithium than in counties with water lithium levels ranging from 70-170 micrograms/L; the differences remain statistically significant (p less than 0.01) after corrections for population density.

The corresponding associations with the incidence rates of robbery, burglary, and theft were statistically significant with p less than 0.05. These results suggest that lithium has moderating effects on suicidal and violent criminal behavior at levels that may be encountered in municipal water supplies.

Comparisons of drinking water lithium levels, in the respective Texas counties, with the incidences of arrests for possession of opium, cocaine, and their derivatives (morphine, heroin, and codeine) from 1981-1986 also produced statistically significant inverse associations, whereas no significant or consistent associations were observed with the reported arrest rates for possession of marijuana, driving under the influence of alcohol, and drunkenness.

These results suggest that lithium at low dosage levels has a generally beneficial effect on human behavior, which may be associated with the functions of lithium as a nutritionally-essential trace element. Subject to confirmation by controlled experiments with high-risk populations, increasing the human lithium intakes by supplementation, or the lithiation of drinking water is suggested as a possible means of crime, suicide, and drug-dependency reduction at the individual and community level.

More at pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

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Comments (5)

    • Avatar

      Herb Rose

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      You are right Luca in that suicide rates have nothing to do with poverty. The highest rates of suicide are at the high and low income levels. Look at all the wealthy, successful people who commit suicide when they seem to have an ideal life where they can have whatever they want.
      Suicide rates in low and moderate income countries may be due to that is where people lose hope of improving their situation. It is the demons inside a person and their view of themselves that cause them to despair and lose hope. That is why the suicide rate is greatest in the younger years where economic considerations are less important than self image and the opinion of peers. The greatest cause of death in years after puberty is suicide.
      You who believe all of a persons problems are societies fault and their condition is not their fault are idiots because the only person who can fix their problems is themselves.

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      • Avatar

        Luc Leon

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        Let’s not get these things mixed up.
        If people are in need of water, let them drink water, if people are in need of medication, let them have medication.
        These studies show that a small amount of people MAY benefit from Lithium, but everyone needs water.

        Reply

  • Avatar

    Joseph Olson

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    Since this research has been known, with potential benefits for unscrupulous leaders for 30 years, it is safe to assume clandestine use. If you ever toured a municipal domestic water treatment plant you’d be shocked a the primitive processes and Homer Simpson level of staffing. You’ve been sedated by your bubble bath.

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    Christian Loosli

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    Maybe criminals and suicidels are not drinking much tapwater. Making compulsory law to put lithium in Coca , beer and wisky may help. So many illness and negative behavier can come from bad eating and drinking habits and depends on a balanced chimistry in our body. Vaccins mybe contribute too.

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