Fluoride is a naturally occurring compound that is used in the formulation of toothpastes to help prevent tooth decay. Because of its positive effects on teeth, especially for children who do not yet have permanent teeth, the American Dental Association has endorsed community water fluoridation in America since 1950 (American Dental Association, 6). However, along with the long-term endorsement of the American Dental Association for the project, anti-fluoride activists have also been hard pressed in getting the compound out of America’s drinking water. Fluoride opponents have cited research finding that high levels of fluoride – about 4 milligrams per liter – can cause harmful health effects (National Academic Council, Fluoride in Drinking Water: A Scientific Review of EPA’s Standards, para. 7). Anti-fluoridation activists have argued that ingesting fluoride causes a certain level of brain damage. Some believe that the government uses fluoridation as a way to alter brain function and use it for mass mind control (Vagg, “Anti-fluoride activists should put their tinfoil hat theories to rest”, para. 4-6). This paper aims to find how fluoride is linked to brain damage and how this degradation of brain function has been used as a form of mind control.
Fluorides help fight tooth decay in two ways – systemically and topically. Systemic fluorides, according to the American Dental Association, are those ingested into the body where the fluoride becomes incorporated into tooth structures (10). Because ingested fluoride is present in the saliva, it continually washes the teeth with a fluoride reservoir which incorporates into the tooth surface, preventing decay. Along with this, the fluoride is imbibed by the dental plaque and facilitates which remineralisation (Lambrou et al., 5). Topical fluorides, on the other hand, strengthen teeth already present in the mouth, making them more decay-resistant (American Dental Association, 10). Based on extensive research that has been ongoing since 1945, fluoridation of water has been seen as an effective way to fight tooth decay. In Grand Rapids, Michigan, a 15-year study showed that children who have been drinking fluoridated water from birth were seen to have 50-63% less dental decay than children who had been examined during the original baseline survey completed in non-fluoridated Muskegon, Michigan (Arnold et al., 5).
Various studies have been taken on to find what other effects fluoride has to the human body other than its prevention of tooth decay. It was reported by the National Academic Council that the primary sources of fluoride exposure include not only dental products but also food, drinking water and pesticides. Drinking water has been considered as the major contributor to fluoride exposure to the people in United States. It has been estimated that in 2000, approximately 162 million people had ingested artificially fluoridated water at 0.7-1.2 mg per litre (National Academic Council, Fluoride in Drinking Water: A Scientific Review of EPA’s Standards, para. 8). Based on this data presented by the National Academic Council, it shows that many people are being exposed to fluoride which can have adverse effects to the body.
The Fluoride Action Network (FAN) is releasing the results of its six-month investigation into fluoride’s effects on the brain and thyroid gland. FAN has found dozens of studies with evidences of fluoride altering the normal activity of the nervous system as well as its effects on the thyroid gland (Connet, “The Facts About Fluoride & Human Intelligence”, para. 2). FAN has identified, in total, 34 studies which showed an association between fluoride exposure and reduced IQ in humans along with dozens of studies correlating fluoride exposure with brain damage to fetuses, memory and knowledge-acquisition impairment, and distorted nervous system and thyroid gland function concerning hormonal imbalance (para.2).
One factor that can influence reduced IQ, which may be of relevance to fluoride, is the impairment of thyroid gland function. For example, hypothyroidism causes one to become depressed and tired too quickly, and have trouble concentrating and hearing. There is also some evidence which suggests having children with lower IQ is linked to altered thyroid function in pregnant women (National Academic Council. “Fluoride in Drinking Water: A Scientific Review of EPA’s Standards”).
Dr. Joseph Mercola lists on Huffington Post the reported effects of fluoride on the brain. The list includes: damage to the hippocampus, reduction in neuron receptor proteins that signals muscular contraction, formation of beta-amyloid plaques which is the classic brain abnormality in Alzheimer’s disease, weakened antioxidant defense systems, aggravation of lesions brought about by iodine deficiency, reduction in lipid content, damage to purkinje cells, increased uptake of aluminium, and accumulation of fluoride in the pineal gland (Mercolla, “Harvard Study Confirms Fluoride Reduces Children’s IQ”, para. 5). The pineal gland is also calcified when exposed to sodium fluoride over time. Jennifer Luke, a British scientist published a study which found that fluoride deposits tended to accumulate in the pineal gland and calcify it (Luke, “Fluoride Deposition in the Aged Human Pineal Gland”, para. 12-13). By old age, the average pineal gland contains about the same amount of fluoride as teeth (300 mg F/kg) because dentine contains 300 mg F/kg and the whole enamel contains 100 mg F/kg (para. 13).
The Encyclopaedia Britannica defines the pineal gland is an endocrine gland and which influences sexual development. The pineal gland contains several neuropeptides and neurotransmitters, such as somatostatin which inhibits gastric secretion, norepinephrine which raises blood pressure, and serotonin which is responsible for sleep, mood, memory, and appetite (Utiger, Pineal Gland, para. 4).
The major pineal hormone is melatonin which has been associated with sexual development and has been used to treat conditions such as depression, insomnia, and jet lag (para. 5). When the pineal gland becomes calcified because of the accumulation of fluoride, it cannot function properly.
In the 2006 report of the National Research Council on fluoride’s effects on the endocrine system showed that fluoride disrupts the endocrine system by altering the normal endocrine function or response (266). On fluoride’s effects on the pineal gland, one study has been suggests that exposure to fluoride could lead to the alteration and production of chemicals that could adversely affect the sexual maturity of experiment animals. The National Research Council also has recent information which shows that when the pineal gland’s function is adversely affected, there could be repercussion to human health. Such repercussions include: calcium metabolism, post-menopausal osteoporosis, parathyroid function, cancer, sexual maturation, and psychiatric disease (264).
The beginning of the link of fluoride to mind control can be traced in 1900 with I. G. Farben, which used to be the largest chemical company in the world involved with war crimes during World War 2, and its alleged Nazi methodology (The Health Information Network, “Fluoride: A Mind Control Drug”, para. 3). According to the Health Information Network, the Nazi methodology is supposedly a plan to control a certain population through mass medication by contaminating drinking water supplies with sodium fluoride (para. 4). A few years later, in 1950, under COG and the US National Security, water fluoridation came into effect in America, as stated by the American Dental Association.
Anti-fluoride activists have linked fluoride being used as mass medication by way of Prozac. Prozac is allegedly 94% fluoride. The Health Information Network links Prozac to the Fluoride mass medication scheme because it makes people depressed and more aggressive. The Health Information Network also suggests that the increase in teen suicides and school shootings is directly related to their increased Prozac intake. Every school shooting involves someone who is either medicated with psychotropic drugs or is having a withdrawal from them (“Fluoride: A Mind Control Drug, para. 9-11). Many claims have been made linking fluoride to a governmental mind control scheme. Several allegations have been made stating that fluoride has been used to induce apathy (Stephen, “Fluoridation: Mind Control of the Masses”, para. 24). Concrete studies and results have yet to be seen by the public.
Although there are a lot of claims that link fluoride to mind control, no concrete and legitimate study has been written to prove such allegations. However, there are conclusive linkages of fluorine to brain damage and several other harmful effects to the body as well as several conspiracy theories that link fluoride to mind control schemes by the Nazi and the US government. As far as mind control and fluorine is concerned, no proof is yet to be found except for allegations and rumors. It is safe to say that the government may well be controlling the masses through other channels and with far more visible results but fluorine is not one of them.
Water fluoridation still has some disadvantages without the conspiracy theories. The literature supporting fluoride’s correlation between brain damages such as lower IQ and its effects to bone density make fluoride a potentially harmful compound to humans especially in large amounts. Although it does improve the dental health of millions of Americans, water fluoridation can lead to harmful effects on the body. It can, as researches have shown, affect brain function which in turn, affects how the whole body functions. It may not be as apparent but if you look at the population today and the population half a decade ago, we can see major health differences. We have new diseases, new disorders, new life expectancies and all of these can be linked to water fluoridation among other factors. It would be better to lessen our intake of inorganic chemicals and non-natural substances and create a healthier environment than to keep pushing water fluoridation which has been shown to have harmful properties. In the issue of health, it is easier to practice preventive measures than to cure illnesses.
In the issue of dental decay, less abrasive ways can be done to prevent it. Responsible dental hygiene and proper diet can both keep teeth healthy without the need to drink fluoridated water continually. Isn’t having a lower IQ a more dangerous threat to children than cavities – something that can be prevented by avoiding a large intake of sugary foods?
The insurmountable amount of water with fluoride ingested in the body from birth to adulthood is more than the normal amount of fluoride the body actually needs. In any case, adding more fluoride to the body can only be harmful to us in more ways than decayed teeth. The question is not whether fluorine is linked to brain damage or mind control, the real question is what we are doing about it.
Works Cited
American Dental Association. “Fluoridation Facts”. American Dental Association. 2005. Web. 13 Nov. 2014
Arnold FA Jr., Likins RC, Russell AL, Scott DB. “Fifteenth year of the Grand Rapids fluoridation study.” J AM Dental Association, 65 (1962): 5-780. Print.
Connet, Michael. “The Facts About Fluoride & Human Intelligence.” Fluoride Action Network, Sept. 2012. Web. 13 Nov. 2014
Lambrou D, Larsen, MJ, Fejerskov O, Tachos B. “The effect of fluoride in saliva on remineralization of enamel in humans”. Caries Res, 15 (1981): 5-341. Print.
Luke, Jennifer. “Fluoride Deposition in the Aged Human Pineal Gland”. Caries Res, 35 (1992):125-128. Web. 12 Nov. 2014
Mercola, John. “Harvard Study Confirms Fluoride Reduces Children’s IQ”. Huffington Post, 18 Jan. 2013. Web. 13 Nov. 2014
Stephen, Ian. E. “Fluoridation: Mind Control of the Masses”. Bibliotecapleyades, 1995. Web. 13 Nov. 2014
The Health Information Network. “Fluoride: A Mind Control Drug”. NZHealth.net.nz. Web. 12 Nov. 2014
The National Academic Council. “Fluoride in Drinking Water: A Scientific Review of EPA's Standards”. National Research Council of the National Academies. National Academies Press: Washington DC, 2014. Web. 12 Nov. 2014
Utiger, Robert D. M.D., “Pineal gland.” The Encyclopaedia Britannica. 22 Sept. 2014. Web. 12 Nov. 2014
Vagg, Michael. “Anti-fluoride activists should put their tinfoil hat theories to rest”. TheGuardian.com, 19 Sept. 2013. Web. 12 Nov. 2014
