Objective The phenomenon of geophagy can be explained as an instinctive desire of an organism to correct material and functional deficiencies using natural miner. This paper discusses the impact of geophagy on behavior and conditioned-reflex activity of Wistar rats subjected to instrumental stress under experimental conditions. Methods Experimental geophagy was simulated by adding zeolite-containing tuff (clinoptilolite) to animal feed, the amount relating to 2% of body mass. Tuff was obtained from areas where animals usually eat subsurface rock. Search activity (SA) of animals and peculiarities of information and emotional stress were studied through the use of a universal problem chamber. Results The results of this experimental study show the negative impact of instrumental stress on laboratory animals, manifested in behavioral dysfunction, in the form of changes in qualitative and quantitative characteristics of search activity. Experimental geophagy contributed to significant improvement in behavioral parameters, confirming the anti-stress effects of the use of natural ingredients. Conclusions These results suggest that, in natural environmental conditions, "edible" rocks serve as an adaptive tool for recovery from various types of environmental stresses, and are an example of self-medication.
Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine, 2014. Vol. 4, №5. P. 362-366.

This paper reviews from the geological and biological perspectives the achievements of Russian researchers in the field of geophagy, which have not been published in English. It is focused on publications in Russian language about (1) animal behavior related to geophagy, (2) mineral and chemical composition as well as geological characteristics and biological effects of the earths, eaten by animals in various locations in Russia and neighboring countries. The authors argue that the Russian term “solonetz” (salt lick) is too limiting, as animals consume not just salt but many other minerals too. The more general term “kudur” is used for places where animals eat earths. The geological nature and biological properties of kudurites (the common name given to biologically active mineral-crystal substances consumed by animals) and gastroliths (stones consumed by birds and reptiles) are addressed. On the basis of the reviewed data, the authors propose their own views regarding the causes of geophagy.
Environmental Geochemistry and Health, 2013, №1, Vol. 35. P. 133-152.

Long-term researches of lithophagy phenomenon amongst herbivorous animals (most of them took place in the Sikhote-Alin mountains, the Russian Far East) and also analysis of the material devoted to studying medical and biological properties of natural minerals which are consumed by animals allow us to make a conclusion that lithophagy phenomenon in all its diversity could be explained as instinctive wish of the organism to correct the material constitution and functions of its systems with the help of natural minerals which can be violated under the influence of different unfavorable environmental stress-factors. The possibility of this correction can be explained by similar properties which a lot of hypergene minerals have, concerning regulation of biological, physiological and energetic processes in living organisms. Ecological consequences coming from the concept of lithophagial instinct are shown on the example of the Sikhote-Alin mountain taiga landscape.
Pacific science review, 2011. – Vol. 13, №1. – P. 64-70.