Does Geomagnetism Influence Depression / Suicide?
Thursday April 24, 2008
After studying data from 1948 to 1997, Russian scientist Oleg Shumilov theorizes that when the earth's magnetic field is more active, suicides are more common. There are so many variables that this connection will probably remain unproven for a long time to come, but it's interesting, isn't it?
Also, a 1994 study hypothesized that geomagnetic storms, which are caused by solar flares, increase the incidence of depression. Researchers found a marked increase in the number of men admitted to hospitals for depression after such storms.
Geomagnetism is most active, says Shumilov, from March to May, in July, and in October. What about it? Do you feel worse during these periods?
- Yes, from March to May
- Yes, in July
- Yes, in October
- Yes, in two or three of these periods
- Never noticed a pattern
- Nope
- I just put on my tinfoil hat in those months
Comments
Interesting idea, though difficult to read without a little smile.
Also, I’m concerned by the declaration on your main page that Bipolar II, by definition, does not have psychotic features. At least according to my doctors, Bipolar II can and often does include delusions and mild hallucinations, though not as severe as those of a full-blown manic phase. It was because of this that I was wrongly treated for Bipolar I for quite some time, until it was realized that my problem was Bipolar II, and my treatment changed accordingly. I am not an expert, just a patient with a different experience than the main page’s statement allows.
Thanks for the great site & blog!
Blaming my thoughts about ending it all on Earth’s magnetic field has a lot of appeal. When I go postal on the idiots at the office, I’ll write that in my suicide note.