via Fark:
Since adding fluoride to the water supply help prevent cavities is such a success, officials are now thinking about adding lithium to the water supply to help prevent suicides
A study carried out in June of 2011 demonstrated that drinking water contaminated with lithium could actually lower suicide rates, according to MedicalXpress.com. So should lithium be added as a supplement to the water supply, as is done with fluoride?
In the study, 6,460 samples of drinking water were tested across 99 districts in Austria. Districts with higher levels of lithium tended to report lower suicide rates. The results weren't terribly shocking, as lithium has been used for decades to treat a medley of mental health concerns, including depression. This was the first time its effect was measured based on trace amounts within drinking water, however.
In some areas lithium occurs naturally in the water supply, likely leached out of rocks and stones. However, there is growing reason to suspect that lithium levels in the water are increasing due to its use as a prescription drug.
more
Should lithium be added to drinking water to help prevent suicide? | MNN - Mother Nature Network
Since adding fluoride to the water supply help prevent cavities is such a success, officials are now thinking about adding lithium to the water supply to help prevent suicides
A study carried out in June of 2011 demonstrated that drinking water contaminated with lithium could actually lower suicide rates, according to MedicalXpress.com. So should lithium be added as a supplement to the water supply, as is done with fluoride?
In the study, 6,460 samples of drinking water were tested across 99 districts in Austria. Districts with higher levels of lithium tended to report lower suicide rates. The results weren't terribly shocking, as lithium has been used for decades to treat a medley of mental health concerns, including depression. This was the first time its effect was measured based on trace amounts within drinking water, however.
In some areas lithium occurs naturally in the water supply, likely leached out of rocks and stones. However, there is growing reason to suspect that lithium levels in the water are increasing due to its use as a prescription drug.
more
Should lithium be added to drinking water to help prevent suicide? | MNN - Mother Nature Network
