Omega-3 fatty acids, commonly available as dietary supplements via fish oil capsules, are known for their benefits to mental and physical well-being. A recent study suggests these fatty acids could also play a role in reducing aggression.
These findings build on previous research that has linked omega-3 to preventing schizophrenia and indicated that aggression and antisocial behaviour may partly stem from poor nutrition. What we eat can influence our brain’s chemistry, and omega-3 appears to be a significant factor.
Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania conducted a meta-analysis of 29 randomized controlled trials involving 3,918 participants to examine the effects of omega-3 supplementation on aggression. The analysis revealed a modest but noticeable short-term effect, showing up to a 28 per cent reduction in aggression across various demographics and treatment conditions, including age, gender, medical diagnosis, and length and dosage of treatment.
“I think the time has come to implement omega-3 supplementation to reduce aggression, irrespective of whether the setting is the community, the clinic, or the criminal justice system,” says neuro criminologist Adrian Raine. The trials analyzed were conducted between 1996 and 2024 and had an average duration of 16 weeks. They covered a wide range of participants, from children aged 16 and under to older adults between 50 and 60 years old.
Notably, the reductions in aggression included both reactive aggression (in response to provocation) and proactive aggression (planned behaviour). This study clarifies that omega-3 can help with these different types of aggression, a point that was previously uncertain.
While larger, long-term studies are necessary to further solidify this relationship, the current findings enhance our understanding of how fish oil pills and the omega-3 they contain might benefit the brain. “At the very least, parents seeking treatment for an aggressive child should know that in addition to any other treatment that their child receives, an extra portion or two of fish each week could also help,” says Raine.
The researchers hypothesize that omega-3 reduces inflammation and supports vital brain processes, which may help regulate aggression. Though there are still many unanswered questions, the team believes there’s enough evidence to warrant further investigation. Additionally, previous studies have shown that fish oil can help reduce the risk of fatal heart attacks, strokes, and other heart health problems, suggesting numerous benefits to incorporating omega-3 into one’s diet.
“Omega-3 is not a magic bullet that is going to completely solve the problem of violence in society,” says Raine. “But can it help? Based on these findings, we firmly believe it can, and we should start to act on the new knowledge we have.” The research has been published in Aggression and Violent Behavior.
