Sources of Human’s Aggression, Violence, Antisocial and Addictive Behaviors

Abstract

In the 21st century hunger, starvation and malnutrition is still a scourge of mankind. According to World Bank reports a rise of millions of people lacked year-round access to adequate food in 2020 compared to 2019. Malnutrition, poverty, lack of quality education and insufficient health care are causes and consequences of each other. Preconceptual, prenatal and early postnatal malnutrition have life-long negative consequences on human’s health and behavior via epigenetic processes that regulate gene expression providing short-term survival benefits but predispose to various pathological conditions in adulthood. Based on scientific research there is not any doubt that early epigenetic changes play a major role in the development of excessive aggression, violence, antisocial and addictive behaviors. A body of evidence shows that clinical pictures like oppositional defiant disorders (ODD), conduct disorders (CD) and antisocial personality disorders (APD) have a neurodevelopmental origin based on epigenetic changes of gene expression. It is suggested that only early intensive therapeutic interventions focusing on autonomy, sense of competence and social connectedness in an individualistic, systemic and tightly structured positive and safe environment including healthy lifestyle and nutrition could prevent the progression of ODD into CD and eventually into APD. Quality nutrition, quality education and adequate health care for every human, starting at the very first days of life, are claimed to be unconditional premises to transform humanity into a peaceful species able to deal with the future challenges and dangers of life on planet earth.