FuturePundit: Fish Oil Might Keep You Sane

February 02, 2010

Fish Oil Might Keep You Sane

Go crazy for fish so you don't just go crazy.

Individuals at extremely high risk of developing psychosis appear less likely to develop psychotic disorders following a 12-week course of fish oil capsules containing long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, according to a report in the February issue of Archives of General Psychiatry, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

"Early treatment in schizophrenia and other psychoses has been linked to better outcomes," the authors write as background information in the article. "Given that subclinical psychotic symptoms may predict psychotic disorder and psychosis proneness in a population may be related to the rate of psychotic disorder, intervention in at-risk individuals holds the promise of even better outcomes, with the potential to prevent full-blown psychotic disorders."

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Randall Parker, 2010 February 02 10:27 PM Brain Nutrition

Comments

Caveman Sam said at February 3, 2010 11:37 AM:

It's worked for me. Fish oil gives your brain the raw materials it needs to grow and fix itself. I'm not crazy yet.

Anime Flambe said at February 3, 2010 11:45 AM:

I dunno, the Japanese seem fairly nutso to me and they eats lots of fish.

Bob Badour said at February 3, 2010 11:48 AM:

Anime Flambe,

But the Japanese eat lots of fish (and marine mammals) from the top of the food chain. Tuna, shark, whale etc. Those foods are loaded with mercury so is it any wonder they are all mad as hatters?

William O. B'Livion said at February 3, 2010 12:03 PM:

Badour:

You do know why hatters went mad, no?

Either way, fish oils are a cheap intervention with little or no side effect, so it doesn't hurt to try.

looking closely said at February 3, 2010 12:56 PM:

Cheaper than haldol, and fewer side effects.
How can it hurt?

Bob Badour said at February 3, 2010 1:22 PM:

William,

Well, I am familiar with the explanation that links the phrase to the mercury used in making felts.

Whether one gets fish oils from filtered sources in capsules or from fish lower on the food chain, I suggest getting some. I find they make me think clearer. I used to take salmon oil capsules. Now, I just eat mackerel every so often.

Paul A'Barge said at February 3, 2010 1:37 PM:

I've been taking the Fish Oil for weeks now for better health of my eyes, but I do notice that I don't act out much anymore doing things like rubbing up against womens' legs. Does that mean I'm becoming more sane?

Keith Olbermann said at February 3, 2010 4:53 PM:

I hate fish and fish oil.

And I'm going to kill everyone I see, starting tonight. With an icepick. And I'm going to vote only for Democrats and Ron Paul.

Muhuhahahaha.

John D said at February 3, 2010 8:17 PM:

That makes sense. Squeaky fish can drive you crazy.

Oddhandjob said at February 3, 2010 8:32 PM:

Actually, it's the mercury vapors that make you "mad". Ingesting it doesn't seem to have an effect..doesn't seem to have an effect ..doesn't seem to have an effect..doesn't seem to have an effect.

alfredoe said at February 19, 2010 2:32 PM:

Hi All, in order to get most of the benefits of omega 3 fish oil you should take the proper dosage (at least 3.000 mg of fish oil per day) and lower your omega 6 ingestion (omega 6 takes the enzymes we need for digestion from omega 3)

For mood disorders you need 6-10 gr per day of fish oil

There are more than 50 benefits of fish oil but I consider the most important its anti inflammatory effects.

Best wishes
Alfredoe