Lithium is a soft, silvery-white alkali metal so reactive (it sparks when it touches water) that it’s not found in nature. Instead, it’s found in mineral compounds and in mineral water.
Cosmologists believe that lithium was one of the 3 elements synthesized in the Big Bang.[i] So it’s been around for a long time.
Most of us associate lithium with treating mental illnesses like bipolar disorder and mania. Or the lithium-ion battery in our phone. Which has a tendency to blow up occasionally.
Turns out that the anti-psychotic medication lithium isn’t even a drug. It’s actually a mineral. And part of the same family of minerals that include potassium and sodium.
As a nootropic, micro-dosing lithium provides some amazing anti-aging benefits. Recent research shows that low-dose lithium may also help slow the progression of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s, dementia and Parkinson’s disease.
Low-dose lithium also helps neurogenesis and memory. And is a mood stabilizer.
Here we’ll investigate daily or frequent use of Lithium Orotate as a nootropic, and how it benefits cognitive health.
Lithium helps:
- Balance mood. Lithium calms mania (extreme highs and lows) by decreasing sensitivity of the post-synaptic norepinephrine receptor.[ii] And increases uptake of norepinephrine into synaptosomes. Preventing the release of this neurotransmitter. And lithium enhances the transport of Vitamin B12 and folate into brain cells.[iii] Affecting mood and aggression.
- Growth Factors. Lithium upregulates brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), nerve growth factor (NGF), neurotrophin-3 (NT3) and their receptors. And lithium stimulates the proliferation of stem cells in the brain. All boosting neurogenesis and assisting in repair from all types of brain injury.[iv]
- Neuroprotection. Lithium increases brain gray matter, increases DNA replication for neurogenesis, prevents apoptosis, increases N-acetyl-aspartate (NAA), inhibits beta-amyloid secretion and protects against damage once it’s formed, chelates aluminum, and protects against glutamate toxicity.
Table of Contents
Overview
Lithium is an alkali mineral and one the trace elements considered essential for both animal and human reproductive health, and general health and wellness.
Discovered as a chemical element in 1817, lithium’s first recorded modern medical use was in 1871 for the treatment of mania.
But the use of lithium for therapeutic use goes back to ancient Greek and Roman times. People enjoyed soaking in alkali springs to help with physical and mental illness.
People have been using mineral springs for therapeutic use ever since. Lithia Springs in Douglas County, Georgia was so popular that people came for miles just to drink the water.
The Sweet Water hotel, a luxury 500-room resort was opened in 1887. And attracted famous authors, business people and prominent politicians who came for the spring’s health benefits. The name “Lithia” stems from water rich in lithium.
Studies from around the world have shown the critical health benefits of lithium. One study using data from 27 Texas counties from 1978 – 1987 found that rates of suicide, homicide and rape were significantly higher in counties whose drinking water contained little or no lithium.[v]
Another study of lithium levels in tap water in 18 municipalities in Japan showed standard mortality ratios lower in places with higher lithium levels.[vi]
Yet another study conducted in Texas in 2013 confirmed the original findings in that state. Drinking water samples from 226 counties found a correlation between lithium levels and suicide rates.[vii]
Researchers who conducted meta-analyses of lithium levels and public drinking water suggested “increasing lithium levels of drinking water could potentially reduce the risk of suicide, and justify administering lithium to tap water.”[viii]
An article in the Lancet in 1949 by John Cade is credited for the modern medical use of lithium as an effective treatment for manic psychosis.[ix]
The United States FDA approved high dose lithium carbonate and lithium citrate in 1970 for the treatment of bipolar disorder. Carbonic acid and citric acid are mineral carriers used to transport lithium throughout your body.
Doctors also prescribe lithium off-label for treating migraines, seizure disorders and psychosis usually after other treatments have failed.
But as we dig deeper into the most recently published research on lithium, we realize this trace element is essential for optimal health and brain function.
The lithium we get from our diet prevents many neurological and psychiatric problems. Micro-dosing lithium as a nootropic with a supplement like Lithium Orotate can help make up for the what we don’t get from our food and water.
Lithium is naturally available from fish, processed meat, milk, dairy products, eggs, potatoes and vegetables. Your typical dietary intake of lithium can range from 2 – 600 mcg. Amounts vary depending on where the food is grown.
How does Lithium work in the brain?
Lithium helps brain health and function in several ways. But two in particular stand out.
- Lithium stabilizes mood. Recent research has discovered that lithium’s mood stabilization effects may be due to its ability to boost the production of new brain cells (neurogenesis).
Lithium inhibits the enzyme glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β). This inhibition upregulates brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) which stimulates neural stem cells to produce new neurons in the hippocampus.[x]
When neural stem cells produce new neurons in the hippocampus, mood and memory work as designed. But a breakdown in neurogenesis results in mood disorders.
Lithium has long been known to control mania and stabilize mood in bipolar patients. But it was not generally thought of as an antidepressant. Researchers in Tel Aviv provided the first evidence that inhibiting GSK-3β exerted a rapid antidepressant effect in mice.[xi]
Another team at Howard Hughes Medical Institute in Pennsylvania showed that feeding mice chow laced with low-dose lithium for 15 days produced a dose-dependent antidepressant effect.[xii]
Lithium induced gene transcription in the hippocampus, amygdala and hypothalamus. All areas implicated in depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, autism and schizophrenia.
- Lithium protects your brain. Your brain cells are at constant risk of damage from exposure to toxins you encounter every day from food, air, water and your environment. And the excitotoxins produced by ordinary brain cell metabolism.
Glutamate plays a major role in the synaptic plasticity needed for learning and memory.[xiii] But over-activity of glutamate on its NMDA receptors causes neuron death and is implicated in Alzheimer’s, Huntington’s and Parkinson’s disease. Lithium inhibits this overactivity.[xiv]
Lithium also increases the production of a neuroprotective protein called bcl-2.[xv] Researchers maintain that lithium is the only “medication” that has been demonstrated to significantly increase bcl-2 in several brain areas.
Lithium has also recently been evaluated in preventing and treating traumatic brain injury. In a study conducted in 2014, Dr. Peter Leeds stated that lithium had “demonstrated robust beneficial effects in experimental models of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). These include decreases in TBI-induced brain lesion, suppression of neuroinflammation, protection against blood-brain barrier disruption, normalization of behavioral deficits, and improvement of learning and memory, among others.”[xvi]
How things go bad
In 1985, the United States EPA estimated that dietary intake of lithium from food in the USA varied from 0.6 to 3.1 mg per day.[xvii] For comparison, people who live in the Andes in Northern Argentina consume 2 to 30 mg per day, with 2 – 3 mg just from drinking water.[xviii]
As your dietary sodium and caffeine increases, so does lithium excretion in urine which increases your requirement for this essential trace mineral.
Your exposure to stress and toxins from things like mercury, aspartame, MSG, Bisphenol A (BPA) and other excitotoxins also raise cortisol and other stress hormones. Increasing your need for more water-soluble nutrients like B-vitamins, magnesium, zinc and lithium.
Low lithium levels are associated with …
↑ Depression and anxiety increase
↓ Memory and learning ability decline
↑ Insomnia increases
↑ Sensitivity to stress and chronic pain increase
↓ Natural healing processes decline
Adequate daily intake of lithium could help prevent many mental and neurological diseases due to this trace minerals effects on nervous system metabolism. And it’s anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.
Lithium benefits
The clinical research and studies on the neuroprotective benefits of lithium are so overwhelming, some scientists are beginning to ask “why isn’t everyone using lithium”?
Here’s a summary of how micro-dosing lithium using Lithium Orotate can benefit your brain.
- Inhibits apoptosis – lithium inhibits GSK-3 which has been linked to apoptotic cell death
- NMDA-receptors – lithium reduces glutamate induced toxicity mediated by NMDA-receptors which helps in mood disorders, Alzheimer’s, and other autoimmune and inflammatory diseases
- Neuroprotection – blocks the development of beta-amyloid tangles and plaque
- Neurogenesis – lithium promotes the BDNF needed for synaptic plasticity in learning and memory. Lithium also boosts nerve growth factor and glial-derived neurotrophic factor affecting learning, memory, mood and overall brain health[xix]
- Neuronal stem cells – lithium stimulates the stem cells needed to produce new neurons (neurogenesis)
- Stabilizes mood – lithium is known for providing a calming effect in healthy people as well as those dealing with depression, bipolar disorder, and mania
- Suicide prevention – adequate levels of lithium has been shown to reduce suicide risk in multiple studies worldwide
- Depression – lithium helps with treatment-resistant depression. In fact, lithium has been shown to improve the effectiveness of antidepressant medications
- N-acetyl aspartate (NAA) – lithium increases NAA which has been associated with higher IQ scores[xx] (i.e. lithium will make you smarter!)
The benefits of supplementing with lithium go far beyond just optimizing cognitive health. Lithium also helps decrease insulin resistance, helps in treatment of alcoholism and other addictions, supports bone health, balances your circadian rhythm and more.
How does Lithium feel?
My personal experience with Lithium Orotate has made me a believer in micro-dosing lithium. I’m Adult ADD and deal with mood swings from time to time.
If I’m going around the bend because something upset me, I take 5 mg of Lithium Orotate. Within 15 minutes my mood stabilizes and I feel normal again. Consistent use puts me in a happy mood.
Many others report you’ll feel the results taking a low dose of lithium quickly. But for some, the full effect can take anywhere from 1 to 3 weeks. Micro-dosing 5 – 10 mg of lithium daily results in consistent results within a month or two for some. I’ve experienced great results within a couple of days.
So if you lash out at people in anger, and don’t fully understand why you get so angry – it could be your lithium levels are low.
Many neurohackers with depression and anger issues notice results quickly. Within the first couple of days you should feel more calm, relaxed, and experience less stress.
Keep in mind that lithium at any dose is not for everyone. But if you get adequate lithium from your diet and water, and still experience some of the mood swings talked about in this review, you could be dealing with other issues. You should know within a couple of hours of supplementing with low-dose lithium if this supplement is for you.
For some, Lithium Orotate means feeling excited about life for the first time in a long time. Anxiety and social anxiety are no longer a problem. Life is more fun and enjoyable.
Some say Lithium Orotate works better than any prescription that they’ve ever tried to treat severe depression. It provides a nice, smooth mood balance without all the toxicity associated with mega-doses of lithium carbonate.
If you’re dealing with PTSD or mild insomnia, you may want to try Lithium Orotate. Focus could improve, racing thoughts diminish and motivation levels could increase. You’ll have more coping ability.
Lithium Orotate Clinical Research
Lithium Improves Memory
A study at McMaster University in Canada set out to determine the effects on hippocampus volume in 14 bipolar patients who received lithium therapy.
The researchers examined the effects of lithium on hippocampal volumes and memory performance and recall over 2 – 4 years. The patients had not received any type of medication prior to using lithium.
The study found increases in hippocampus volume over time. And evidence of improvement of verbal memory performance over the 4-year measurement period.
The researchers concluded that the results of the study were consistent with the literature stating the neuroprotective effects of lithium. And that long-term treatment of lithium is associated with preservation of memory and recall due to increased hippocampus size.[xxi]
Lithium Increases Mood in Recovering Addicts
24 adults recovering from heroin or methamphetamine addiction participated in a study in San Diego. Group A received 400 mcg per day of lithium taken orally for 4 weeks. The placebo Group B naturally took a non-active placebo.
Subjects completed a mood test questionnaire containing questions about their ability to think, work, mood and emotions. For the lithium group, mood test scores increased steadily and significantly during the 4 week period.
The lithium group also reported significantly increased levels of happiness, friendliness and energy. Group B showed no improvement during the same period.
The researchers concluded that low-dose lithium provided a mood-improving and stabilizing effect.[xxii]
Lithium Orotate in the Treatment of Alcoholism
In this study, 42 alcoholic patients were treated with Lithium Orotate during alcohol rehabilitation in a private clinical setting for six months. The data was collected from clinical practice records for the 10 years following the initial study.
The patients received 150 mg of Lithium Orotate daily for six months along with calcium orotate, magnesium orotate, bromelain and essential phospholipids.
Ten of the patients had no relapse from 3 – 10 years. 13 patients stayed sober from 1 – 3 years. The remaining patients relapsed between 6 – 12 months.
The researchers concluded that Lithium Orotate therapy was safe in treating addiction with minor adverse side effects.[xxiii]
Lithium Orotate Dosage
Lithium retains a grim and undeserved reputation. Likely because it was originally associated with serious mental illness. And like most medications, lithium can produce serious side effects if not monitored properly.
Lithium carbonate or lithium chloride salts are typically prescribed for long-term control of bipolar disorder at 900 – 1200 mg per day. The major problem with such high doses of lithium are some very serious and debilitating side effects.
For nootropic use, we suggest Lithium Orotate which typically contains only 5 mg of elemental lithium. Lithium Orotate is orotic acid combined with lithium.
Orotic acid reportedly makes the lithium more bioavailable than lithium carbonate. The lithium is released once it crosses the blood-brain barrier. So you’ll get the benefits of lithium supplementation while avoiding the toxic side effects of high doses.[xxiv]
Lithium Orotate recommended dose is 5 mg two or three times per day. See “Available Forms” for more on lithium amounts in nootropic supplements.
Many neurohackers use Lithium Orotate only as needed. For example, when feeling anxious or in the middle of a mood swing.
For someone with bipolar disorder or manic disorders, increasing to two 5 mg tablets up to 3-times per day may be more effective.
Naturopathic doctors suggest stacking 1,000 mg of Omega-3 and 400 UI of Vitamin E (as mixed tocopherols) each day you’re using Lithium Orotate.
Lithium Orotate Side Effects
Do not confuse Lithium Orotate with lithium carbonate. The carbonate version of lithium is only available by prescription and comes with a host of side effects.
Lithium Orotate at low doses is non-toxic and lab tests are not required to monitor your lithium levels because it does not show up in blood samples.
Lithium Orotate should not be used if you are dealing with significant renal or cardiovascular disease, severe dehydration or sodium depletion, or if you’re taking diuretics or ACE inhibitors.
Do not use Lithium Orotate if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.
You should check with your doctor if you are on any medication before using Lithium Orotate.
Where to Buy Lithium Orotate
Mother Nature has already put the antipsychotic “drug” lithium in drinking water. And you get some lithium from food depending on where it’s grown.
Supplemental Lithium Orotate typically comes in 120 or 130 mg capsules or tablets containing 5 mg of elemental lithium.
I recommend and use Lithium Orotate by Advanced Research which was formulated by Dr. Hans Nieper.
Nootropics Expert Recommendation
Lithium Orotate 5 mg 2 or 3 times per day.
I recommend using Lithium Orotate as a nootropic supplement if you’re feeling anxious or depressed. Or experiencing mood swings.
Your body does not make lithium on its own. So you must get this essential trace mineral from your diet, or a supplement like Lithium Orotate.
Lithium combined with orotic acid makes Lithium Orotate which readily crosses the blood-brain barrier, and you should feel its effects within 15 – 20 minutes of taking it.
Lithium Orotate is especially effective if you’re feeling stressed, or mentally overworked. Your brain uses lithium faster and it needs to be replaced. Which you can do by using Lithium Orotate.
Lithium Orotate is great if you are ADHD because lithium calms the hyperactivity in your brain.
Supplementing with lithium does not change your state of consciousness. It simply helps bring you back to feeling normal and happy.
I suggest trying Lithium Orotate as a nootropic supplement with your first dose at 5 mg and see how you react. If you experience no negative reaction, try another 5 mg in a few hours. Up to 3 – 5 mg doses per day.
You’ll likely experience the full benefits of Lithium Orotate within a week of consistent use.
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[iii] Herbert V., Colman N. “Release of vitamin binding proteins from granulocytes by lithium: vitamin B12 and folate binding proteins.” Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology. 1980;127:61-78. (source)
[iv] Young W. “Review of lithium effects on brain and blood.” Cell Transplantation. 2009;18(9):951-75. (source)
[v] Schrauzer G.N., Shrestha K.P. “Lithium in drinking water and the incidences of crimes, suicides, and arrests related to drug addictions.” Biological Trace Element Research. 1990 May;25(2):105-13. (source)
[vi] Ohgami H., Terao T., Shiotsuki I., Ishii N., Iwata N. “Lithium levels in drinking water and risk of suicide.” British Journal of Psychiatry. 2009 May;194(5):464-5 (source)
[vii] Blüml V., Regier M.D., Hlavin G., Rockett I.R., König F., Vyssoki B., Bschor T., Kapusta N.D. “Lithium in the public water supply and suicide mortality in Texas.” Journal of Psychiatric Research. 2013 Mar;47(3):407-11. (source)
[viii] Terao T., Goto S., Inagaki M., Okamoto Y. “Even very low but sustained lithium intake can prevent suicide in the general population?” Medical Hypotheses. 2009 Nov;73(5):811-2 (source)
[ix] Cade J.F.J. “Lithium Salts in the Treatment of Psychotic Excitement” The Medical Journal of Australia Vol. II No. 10, September 3, 1949 (source)
[x] Wada A. “Lithium and neuropsychiatric therapeutics: neuroplasticity via glycogen synthase kinase-3beta, beta-catenin, and neurotrophin cascades.” Journal of Pharmacological Sciences. 2009 May;110(1):14-28. (source)
[xi] Kaidanovich-Beilin O., Milman A., Weizman A., Pick C.G., Eldar-Finkelman H. “Rapid antidepressive-like activity of specific glycogen synthase kinase-3 inhibitor and its effect on beta-catenin in mouse hippocampus.” Biological Psychiatry. 2004 Apr 15;55(8):781-4. (source)
[xii] O'Brien W.T., Harper A.D., Jové F., Woodgett J.R., Maretto S., Piccolo S., Klein P.S. “Glycogen synthase kinase-3beta haploinsufficiency mimics the behavioral and molecular effects of lithium.” Journal of Neuroscience. 2004 Jul 28;24(30):6791-8. (source)
[xiii] Collingridge G.L, Watkins J.C. “The NMDA Receptor.” New York: Oxford Univ. Press; 1994.
[xiv] Chuang D., Christ L., Fujimaki K., Hashimoto R., Jeong M.R. “Lithium-induced inhibition of Src tyrosine kinase in rat cerebral cortical neurons: A role in neuroprotection against N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor-mediated excitotoxicity”. FEBS Letters 2003; 538(1-3): 45-148 (source)
[xv] Manji H.K, Chen G., Moore G.J. “Lithium at 50: Have the neuroprotective effects of this unique cation been overlooked?” Biological Psychiatry 1999; 46(7): 929-940 (source)
[xvi] Leeds P.R., Yu F., Wang Z., Chiu C., Zhang Y., Leng Y., Linares G.R., Chuang D. “A New Avenue for Lithium: Intervention in Traumatic Brain Injury” ACS Chemical Neuroscience. 2014 Jun 18; 5(6): 422–433. (source)
[xvii] Schrauzer G.N. “Lithium: occurrence, dietary intakes, nutritional essentiality.” Journal of the American College of Nutrition. 2002 Feb;21(1):14-21. (source)
[xviii] Concha G., Broberg K., Grandér M., Cardozo A., Palm B., Vahter M. “High-level exposure to lithium, boron, cesium, and arsenic via drinking water in the Andes of northern Argentina.” Environmental Science and Technology. 2010 Sep 1;44(17):6875-80 (source)
[xix] Angelucci F., Aloe L., Jiménez-Vasquez P., Mathé A.A. “Lithium treatment alters brain concentrations of nerve growth factor, brain-derived neurotrophic factor and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor in a rat model of depression.” International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology. 2003 Sep;6(3):225-31. (source)
[xx] Aydin K., Uysal S., Yakut A., Emiroglu B., Yılmaz F. “N-acetylaspartate concentration in corpus callosum is positively correlated with intelligence in adolescents.” Neuroimage. 2012 Jan 16;59(2):1058-64 (source)
[xxi] Yucel K., McKinnon M.C., Taylor V.H, Macdonald K., Alda M., Young L.T., MacQueen G.M. “Bilateral hippocampal volume increases after long-term lithium treatment in patients with bipolar disorder: a longitudinal MRI study.” Psychopharmacology (Berlin). 2007 Dec;195(3):357-67 (source)
[xxii] Schrauzer G.N., de Vroey E. “ Effects of nutritional lithium supplementation on mood. A placebo-controlled study with former drug users.” Biological Trace Element Research. 1994 Jan;40(1):89-101. (source)
[xxiii] Sartori H.E. “Lithium orotate in the treatment of alcoholism and related conditions.” Alcohol. 1986 Mar-Apr;3(2):97-100. (source)
[xxiv] Lakhan S., Vieira K.F. “Nutritional therapies for mental disorders” Nutrition Journal 2008; 7: 2. (source)
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Hi David,
I took 5mg of LO last night and it made me so sleepy. Why does it do that? I took 5mg more this morning and I didn’t get the same effect.
Why the knock-out sleepy affect the first pill?
Susan, I am not sure why your first dose would make you feel sleepy. Are you using any prescription meds before bed?
David,
No, I don’t take any prescription meds at all. I have read a lot of amazon reviews on LO all the different brands and it seems to be a common occurrence of making people sleepy often too sleepy or too relaxed on their first dose.
I think I even read somewhere (I read so much I can’t remember where) that it makes you sleepy if you’re deficient in LO.
I thought you might have more insight about it.
Susan, sorry, but do not know why Lithium Orotate would make you sleepy. It could be because you were Lithium deficient.
But Lithium does provide an antidepressant benefit and that mechanism could be what is makin you sleep.
Can I take Tryptophan while taking LO?
Yes
Hi David.
I have been taking microdoses of CBD + Delta 9 (thc) can I still do that while taking Lithium Orotate?
Should not be a problem Susan.
any known issues taking cordyceps (500 mg) with lithium orotate (5-10 mg or less). thanks such a great invaluable site the best there is!
Jen, none that I know of but we’ll put it out there and see if anyone else has tried that combo.
Hello David.
I started taking LO (120 mg / 4.6 elemental – Advanced Research) about a week ago. One tablet before bed. I’ve had a metallic taste for the past three days. Is there a link? Should I cut to one half?
Also, does LO help with insomnia?
Thank you!
Margie, Lithium is a metal which accounts for the metallic taste in your mouth. It sounds like you have enough Lithium in your system already so I suggest dropping Lithium Orotate as a supplement.
The only time Lithium Orotate would help with sleep is if you were deficient in lithium. It is not considered a “sleep” supplement.
If you are suffering from insomnia I suggest reading this article for some tips to help you sleep: https://nootropicsexpert.com/best-nootropics-for-sleep/ and this one: https://nootropicsexpert.com/best-sleep-supplements-to-buy/
Is it safe to take 20 mg of Lithium Orotate and 400 mg of Sam-e daily? Can you take them both on an empty stomach in the morning?
Elizabeth, it is safe but is this the first time you are using either supplement?
The recommended dose for Lithium Orotate is 5 mg and for SAM-e 100 mg unless you are treating something in particular.
Hello. Can you take lithium orotate with abilify for cannabis induced pyschosis? And once abilify is stopped after a year can it be replaced with lithium orotate to prevent psychosis? Thank you
Nik, Lithium is contraindicated with Aripiprazole (Abilify). According to the data I’ve seen it should be only done under medical supervision (https://www.drugs.com/drug-interactions/aripiprazole-with-lithium-233-0-1477-0.html?professional=1).
My family has these pathologies diagnosed by an analytical laboratory. The psychiatrists and internists have no interest in treating these pathologies despite the fact that they could be influencing his psychosis, negative symptoms and, as a consequence, a null quality of life.
Could you tell me something about it?
I am going to try lithium orotate but…… for these pathologies what do you recommend?
Unbalanced Neurobiology
The distribution of metabolites causes:
– Neurotoxicity due to the accumulation of toxic metabolites derived from
tryptophan degradation. High levels of: Xanthurenic, Kynurenine, Quinurenic, 3-indole acetic acid, Quinolinic/5HIAA
– Neurotoxicity due to the accumulation of amino acid degradation metabolites
branched chain (BCAA).
– Imbalances in memory due to problems in the production of dopamine
Diva, you can try Lithium Orotate and see if it helps. It’s safe and easy to use.
Neurotoxicity can cause inflammation. One of the most effective ways to take care of this inflammation is by using Curcumin. See my review on Turmeric for more on Curcumin.
And the easiest way to increase dopamine is by using L-Tyrosine 500 mg twice per day.
Thanks Diva to share.
What is the naming of the analytical laboratory you did to get those details.
Is that a metabolic test?
You mentioned the doctors have no interest in treating those results . Did they mentioned why?
DAVID , thanks for the good study about lithium, what is your opinion about such analytical laboratory studies ?
Wim, I am not familiar with the labs Diva is referring to to cannot give a fair opinion on their worth.
I consume “Lithium Orotate by Advanced Research” regularly (not daily) because I suffer from a very bad mood and it is the only thing that helps me,
but I have the problem that the expiration date has passed and I still have half the container full, I want to know please if it is toxic to continue consuming it or what is the worst that could happen from taking expired lithium, as is my case?
2- I have been taking Setria® Glutathione for quite some time, and I have heard that there are two forms of Glutathione that are equally or more effective. I would like to know your opinion on whether you recommend these two forms of Glutathione and whether they are superior to Setria Glutathione in terms of effectiveness:
One is called “S-Phenylacetyl L-Glutathione” and the other is called “S-Acetyl L-Glutathione”
Lourdes, the problem with glutathione is not getting across the blood-brain barrier. It’s a matter of digestion and getting into your system. Both forms you mention will have the same absorption qualities according to this study (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4536296/).
The study shows that sublingual glutathione (reduced) is the best. One like this: https://geni.us/UIVpwA (Amazon)
I should update my Glutathione review to reflect this.
Thanks for responding David, but did you forget to tell me if it’s toxic to keep taking expired lithium (Lithium Orotate from Advanced Research) or what’s the worst that could happen from taking expired lithium?
Finally, I would like to know, please, is ALCAR a good substitute for Citicoline, to use together with a racetam such as Aniracetam?
(Since both are precursors to acetylcholine)
Lourdes, expired Lithium Orotate should not be a problem. Lithium is a mineral and minerals do not expire. Lithium has been around since the Big Bang that started this whole thing! But if it has been sitting around for 4 or 5 years throw it out and start fresh.
ALCAR is not a choline source. It help produce Acetyl-CoA which is a cofactor that works with the choline provided by Citicoline to make acetylcholine.
Hello – my child has ADHD and struggles with impulsivity. Will LO at 5 mg interfere with methylphenidate and bupropion? Any recommendations to help with impulse control? Thank you!
Sara, Lithium Orotate will not interfere with methylphenidate. It should help prevent inappropriate outbursts but not sure about “impulse control”.
Can we take lithium orotate with taurine for depression together?
Should not be a problem.
Good evening David, can a dose of 150 mg be used to help withdraw antidepressants that are difficult to get rid of?
The standard adult dosage for Lithium Orotate (5 mg) is 3-times per day. If that is the dose you are talking about then 150 mg is way too high,
Hi David! I love LO, I only need 2mg a day (can you imagine that?!) for severe anxiety and depression. I guess it has built up nicely in my system. If I take more, I actually more anxiety and start to gag. Is LO like a regular prescription lithium that works for decades? Some people are able to take prescription lithium for 40 years! I just don’t want it to poop out 🙁
Annie, Lithium Orotate is like micro-dosing lithium. It’s the same element used in the prescription drug but the dose is so low it doesn’t even show up on lab tests.
Thank you David! So I guess I should not worry about it stopping working..I will be probably dead in 40 years lol
Annie don’t count on the “40 years” part. It’s likely much longer than that with the progress researchers are making with our human biology and cognition.
Thank you David! That’s promising, you are curing my anxiety 🙂
Hi!
Is it ok to combine with 5 HTP (I take 100 mg/day) and GABA? I read it can lead to too much serotonin in the brain, but maybe not at so low doses?
Thank you so much for your answer!
Corinne, 5-HTP is a direct precursor to the synthesis of serotonin. And GABA will increase GABA levels in your system. Two very different neurotransmitters.
Thank you for your answer! I meant to combine lithium with 5htp and GABA. Can the 3 be taken together?
Yes
Hi there,
Can this be taken with Sam-e and St John’s Wort along with Adderall for intermittent explosive disorder?
Angie, Lithium Orotate is not contraindicated with any of the them. But everyone is biologically unique and what may work for me may not work for you.
Hi David,
Love the site. Any issues with taking CBD isolate (approx 300mg daily divided into 3 doses) and Lithium Orotate. I currently take CBD isolate and love it, stops my PHN pain, helps my mood, and Brain (I think). I want to add Lithium Orotate (work up to 20mg per day), I hear nothing but good things about it but I am afraid it will contradict CBD and also if they are doing the same thing maybe don’t need to take. Thanks so much!
Jennifer, they work on two different systems so as long as they work for you then keep on doing it!
Do you know why taking this can cause some to have dizziness and a spacey feeling? I am experiencing that. I am also sensitive to most medications and some supplements.
Amy, it could be it’s just the wrong supplement for you.
Hello David!
I don’t have bipolar or depression. Does lithium deficiency is even a term in medical world? I didn’t see much info about lithium deficiency symptoms on the internet.
My lab test showed Lithium >0,1 mmol/L
What does it mean? What dosage would you recommend me to correct this huge deficiency?
Sara, there is no such thing as a “lithium deficiency” in medical terms. But the science is rock solid that we need some lithium.
You’ll get the lithium you need by using Lithium Orotate 5 mg 3-times per day. This will NOT show up on blood tests. But you may experience a difference in your behavior. Esp. if you tend to blow up at inappropriate times.
Hi David! I think you could join this study to your article:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9523597/
Does this mean that lithium increases all catecholamines? Or more L-Dopa through increasing tyrosine hydroxylase.
Aleks, according to this animal study (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29699444/) Lithium reverses dopamine transmission deficits and increased the abundance of synaptic proteins needed for dopamine signaling and increased tyrosine hydroxylase for conversion of L-Tyrosine to L-DOPA. it does not mention the other catecholamines.
Thank you David!
There is topic bothering me on Reddit. Basicly the use of carbidopa and L-Dopa. Neurohackers use EGCG because of its AAAD mechanism to increase L dopa decarboxylase, therefore allowing more dopamine to cross BBB. But they say It’s not worth it to use EGCG with tyrosine.
I would like to take my own route as I don’t want to downregulate dopamine in the long term by direct precursor. So if lithium increases tyrosine hydroxylase, also cordyceps was shown to enhance tyrosine hydroxylase:
https://www.spandidos-publications.com/10.3892/mmr.2017.7261
But to the point:
I would like to take NALT along with lithium and cordyceps to support tyrosine hydroxylase, and then use EGCG to support Dopa decarboxylase. How do you see it master? :))
Aleks, I do not see a reason to use carbidopa or L-DOPA just to increase dopamine levels (unless you are treating Parkinson’s). The safest and easiest long-term solution is L-Tyrosine or NALT. Your body and brain will make the norepinephrine and epinephrine as needed if you are reasonably healthy.
L-Tyrosine will NOT downregulate dopamine receptors.
My son has started Ketamine IV infusions. He will have his 4th today. We are seeing good results. Will LO interfere with his treatments? Are there and interactions when doing both at the same time?
Thank you for responding to questions. I follow your YouTube channel and website. You are helping so many thank you!!!
Dee, this is what can happen when you use Ketamine with Lithium: https://www.drugs.com/drug-interactions/ketamine-with-lithium-1411-0-1477-0.html