Is violence in part a lithium deficiency state?

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Nutritional Psychiatry
• Public Health

Background:

• Firearm violence, suicide, and homicide are major global health issues, disproportionately affecting males.
• Pharmacological lithium effectively treats bipolar disorder and reduces violent crime.
• Trace amounts of lithium in drinking water correlate inversely with aggression and violence.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the potential of trace lithium for reducing aggression and violence.
• To explore dietary strategies for increasing lithium intake.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on lithium's effects on mood and violence.
• Analysis of the inverse relationship between naturally occurring lithium levels and violent behavior.
• Proposal for lithium fortification in food and supplements.

Main Results:

• Trace lithium, naturally present in food and water, shows no toxicity.
• Dietary lithium intake varies significantly, often below potentially beneficial levels.
• Existing data suggests an inverse correlation between lithium exposure and violence.

Conclusions:

• Fortifying cereal grains and vitamin preparations with lithium may decrease aggression and violence.
• Randomized controlled trials are necessary to validate these findings across diverse populations.