Just add lithium and be happy, Irish psychiatrist
Baku, December 10 (AZERTAC). A prominent Irish psychiatrist has proposed that health officials should battle rising incidences of "suicide, depression and aggressive behaviour" by putting lithium in the public water supply.
It is the sort of suggestion that makes the wackiest conspiracy theorists feel vindicated about their fears that meddling governments are running mind control programs. But Moosajee Bhamjee, a high-profile psychiatrist and former Labour MP in Ireland, said the mind-altering metal could be a useful addition to community water supplies in Ireland, where stress levels have risen because of the economic crisis, and in Australia, which has relatively high rates of youth suicide. "People were against putting fluoride in the water supply too but experience shows that that has been good for people," Dr Bhamjee said. "If it helps to reduce high suicide rates then it would be worth it." Lithium is a metal that occurs naturally in tiny amounts in ocean water, ground water and some foods and when used in larger doses can combat bipolar conditions and other mental health problems.
The idea conjured up images of the "chemtrail" conspiracy, a belief promoted on the internet and US talkback radio programs that some of the condensation trails left in the sky by jets are actually chemical trails being used by governments to control the population or achieve some other nefarious purpose. Mental health professionals in Ireland "have been prescribing more anti-depressants and tranquilisers than ever" since the nation`s economy crashed in 2008, "and you have your own problems to deal with in Australia with your youth suicide rates".
Dr Bhamjee said studies conducted in Texas and Japan had noted a correlation between areas with relatively high rates of naturally occurring lithium in the water supply and areas with low rates of suicide and depression. A similar study conducted in England that was published this year found no such correlation but Dr Bhamjee said "we should experiment with it and do more research."
Mr Howard, who chaired a national taskforce on suicide, said many Irish people were under stress because of the economic crisis "but I don`t think anybody could realistically think there is any support for doing this".
Dr Bhamjee said he would keep pushing the idea. "I`m not giving up on it. More research is being done around the world all the time."
Other news in this section
