Scientists suggest that lithium could become as ubiquitous as fluoride in drinking water after finding that it may have the power to reduce suicide rates. The study from the Medical University of Vienna examined naturally occurring lithium concentrations in drinking water across 99 districts in Austria and compared it against those towns' suicide rates.
The study found that regions that have the lowest concentrations of lithium have suicide rates of 16 for every 100,000 people versus 11 for regions with the highest concentrations. The study agrees with a similar Japanese study that examined natural lithium levels of 18 communities in the Oita prefecture. The levels ranged from 0.8 micrograms per liter to 59 micrograms per liter and areas with higher concentrations were less likely to commit suicide.
Lithium is currently used to treat bipolar disorder in doses starting at 600mg. Theory has it that lithium increases the amount of neurotransmitters such as serotonin which acts as a mood stabilizer for both the manic and depressive sides of the disorder. Now, some are using the study's findings to advocate for using trace amounts of lithium in drinking water.
Adding chemicals to drinking water for public health benefits is nothing new to the US. Since the 1940s, the U.S. has put trace amounts of fluoride in drinking water to prevent tooth decay. University of Vienna researchers claim they are not advocating for therapeutic amounts of lithium to be added to water but to increase the amount in lithium-depleted areas to level out with areas where lithium is naturally rich.
What do you think? Are you comfortable with lithium being added to make you feel happier?
