To the Japanese health ministry: I am a semi-retired, former Yale medical school professor, an immunopharmacologist, and a specialist in the pathology and pharmacology of prostaglandins.
The toxicity of any environmental agent is determined by its potential to induce prostaglandin E2. It is well known that aspirin and ibuprofen inhibit prostaglandin E2, but not that antidepressants and lithium do so as well. Antidepressants have remarkable anticancer and cancer-preventing properties, and are known to protect nonmalignant cells from chemotherapy and ionizing radiation toxicity.
Depressed individuals have impaired immune function, and are most at risk from radiation toxicity. Antidepressants may be able to protect them. I would tend to favor antidepressants, in preference to lithium. It is the human and ethical right of everyone to be made aware of this information. All treatment decisions must be made in consultation with a physician.
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