Key Takeaways
Lithium is a natural alkali metal essential for reproductive health and overall wellness in humans and animals.
Historically used for therapeutic purposes, lithium is studied for its neuroprotective and mood-stabilizing effects.
Micro-dosing lithium through supplements like Lithium Orotate offers cognitive benefits such as mood balancing, promoting growth factors and neurogenesis, and brain protection.
Adequate lithium intake from diet and water may help prevent mental and neurological diseases, while low levels can be associated with depression, anxiety, and memory decline.
Lithium Orotate is a popular micro-dosing option that provides mood stabilization, neuroprotection, and cognitive enhancement without toxic side effects of higher doses.
Lithium is a soft, silvery-white alkali metal so reactive (it sparks when it touches water) that it’s not found in nature on its own. 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 prescription lithium with treating mental illnesses like bipolar disorder and mania (lithium carbonate). 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 naturally occurring mineral. Lithium salts are 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 Orotate 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 increase of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (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 Orotate 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 lithium treatment 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 Recommended 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 and to treat 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, I 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 supplements recommended dose is 5 mg two or three times per day. See “Where to buy Lithium Orotate” 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.
Prescription lithium used in excess has been shown to have adverse effects on thyroid and kidney function. This is NOT a problem when supplementing with Lithium Orotate when used at recommended dosages.
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 (Amazon) 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.
Lithium supplements do 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.
I recommend and use Lithium Orotate by Advanced Research (Amazon).
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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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In the treatment of alcoholism, 150 mg of lithium orotate has been used, this is very much higher than the recommended dosage of 5-15 mg, but has caused few side effects, although muscle weakness is strange.
How can this be explained?
That study was done at the Life Science Universal Medical Center, Washington, DC. and conducted under medical supervision long term. The few side effects were eliminated by reducing the dose from daily to 4 – 5 times per week in those people. I have no idea why it would cause muscle weakness but it did not last once the dose was reduced.
He David
Is Lithium Orotate safe to take with Quetiapine? The Quetiapine has been prescribed to treat Psychosis. I have checked the: bnf.nice.org.uk/interactions/lithium/ and the only thing it says is “Quetiapine potentially increases the risk of neurotoxicity when given with Lithium. Manufacturer advises discontinue if neurotoxicity develops.” Followed by “Severity: Severe. Evidence: Anecdotal”.
So it doesn’t state if it relates to Orotate or Carbonate and the evidence is Anecdotal!! Typical of the UK! Lastly, what’s the half-life of Lithium Orotate, how long for two doses of 10mg to leave the body?
We want to try Supplements before going down the route of Quetiapine but just want to be sure in the even that it ‘has’ to be taken!
Hope you can help
Thanks for this great source of information
Cheers
Ry
Ry, using Quetiapine together with lithium can increase the risk of an irregular heart rhythm that may be serious and potentially life-threatening, although it is a rare side effect. The drug interactions usually are referring to prescription Lithium Carbonate used at higher doses. But it is still something you need to be aware of because you may respond different from other people.
The half life of Lithium Orotate appears to be from 16–30 hours. But I have not been able to find definite proof of that in any clinical study.
Hi can you please tell me if L.O is safe while on antiphychotic respiradone my autistic son was prescribed this about 5 years ago we want to get him off eventually but needs lots of help with mood and severe anxiety he is 17 how much L.O can I give him on a daily basis. Thank you.
Leyani, they are moderately contraindicated and may increase side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, and difficulty concentrating in some people. Best to ask your son’s doctor if they can be used safely.
I’ve absorbed all there is to learn about LO over the past few days and even before that. I’m 53, diagnosed BP-2 in my early 20s. I’ve been hospitalized for mania several times but after the first couple times I’d go 7-9 years in between the big mania’s that land you in psych ward’s (and I’d be off my meds the whole time) I wasn’t really sure I had this thing “bipolar” or not. But recently it happened again, I suspect it’s my pot smoking that’s doing me in, and they send me out with a 1200mg daily Lithium Carbonate prescription.
MY QUESTION: Can I really get away with taking 20-30mg of Lithium Orotate a day and get on with my life. I’ve heard it stated a few times by people on YouTube, like yourself, who come off as credible state that for Bipolar people specifically you just need to go beyond the normal 5-15mg and maybe up it to 20-25 or even all the way up to 40mg if you’re really concerned.
If this is true, this is a miracle. I can simply take this inexpensive and safe supplement and get on with my life and never have to worry about those boring ass hospitals ever again. It’s a fair deal, pop a couple supplements a day, no more blood-draws, counseling sessions, etc.
The one guy seemed to think just 10mg was all he needed and recommended up to 15 or 20mg but didn’t want to go as far as some others who’ve had no problem prescribing even 40mg a day. I think I’ll start at 20 and allow myself to drift up or down 5-10mg based on how I feel. Thanks for what you do here, you’re saving lives.
Andrew, what you have read and heard is true and has been my experience working with people. Some require higher doses than others. Especially if you are dealing with Bipolar Disorder and respond well to high dose lithium carbonate. You need to test dosages to find out. Start at the lower end and work your up. I have not heard of anyone needing more than 40 mg per day.
I’m taking 45mg since one year. Increasing dose about 5mg a year. Don’t know until what dosage I can go. Feel need 5mg more.
Chris, at 45 mg Lithium Orotate or higher you are getting into needing professional medical help to manage this because those are high dosages. And there is a chance of lithium toxicity.
Can’t other forms of lithium be used besides orotate and carbonate?
Other forms can be used. Lithium Carbonate is often prescribed for psychosis and mania at much higher doses. Lithium Orotate on the other hand is like micro-dosing lithium. It has the most science supporting its use for its effectiveness compared to other forms of lithium.
Do you think it is safe to open 5 mg lithium orotate capsules and stir them in a bottle of water and drink them throughout the day?
Or can the constant action of lithium orotate, even in small doses, but continuously throughout the day, have a detrimental effect?
Or would it still be safer to take 5 mg directly with a capsule once or twice a day?
Amy, all of my research is based on using Lithium orotate 2 – 3 times per day. You are already micro-dosing lithium doing it that way. Not sure why you would want to “drink them throughout the day” because you would not get any extra benefit doing it that way.
I take Citalopram 10mg, Atomoxetine 40mg, oral Minoxidil 1.25mg every day. I know there is a possible interaction with Citalopram. What if I only took 1 mg per day? Thanks!
Maki, all I can do is alert you to possible contraindications. Drugs.com is a good place to find these drug interactions. But it’s up to you personally to decide if you want to risk mixing these compounds if there is a contraindication listed.
Thanks for your video and information! Wondering if it is generally thought to be safe to take 10 mg of lithium orotate and 100 mg of methylene blue together?
Sheila, not a good idea because there is a slight chance of Serotonin Syndrome. Even with Lithium Orotate even though it is a low dose of lithium.
I’m concerned about taking it, I’ve seen a lot of comments and some have developed hypothyroidism from lithium orotate, others have said that it has a negative effect on acetlycholine
Dan, then don’t use Lithium Orotate if it worries you.
Hi, for 4.5 months now, I’ve been dealing with nonstop racing thoughts and panic and inability to focus or quiet my mind. My motivation and ability to slow my thoughts down to do anything has been nearly impossible. Also dealing with suicidal thoughts because of this stress – though I know I will find the right fix for all this so I wouldn’t do that.
I have been on .75 wellbutrin for 3 months but am tapering off now because I think it’s making things worse.
I had been taking the Neiper LiOr for a few weeks, at least, and yesterday was delivered a brand that has 20 mg LiOr in it. I took it around 1pm yesterday and have to say, right now I feel some definite relief from all those symptoms.
I’m hoping that this is due to the LiOr and that I will be able to function.
My question is: What is the upper limit dose if I am dealing with this severe of a depression? And what is the half life of LiOr? Is one 20mg pill a day better than two 10mg pills 12 hours apart? Thanks in advance for any help since I can’t find the top dosages online.
Louisa, no one knows the half-life of Lithium Orotate as far as I can tell after reading dozens of clinical studies. But a total of 20 mg/day is considered non-toxic and safe to use. You will likely feel the full benefit of Lithium Orotate at that dose in 2- 3 weeks. You can use the 20 mg dose without splitting it and get its benefits with long-term use.
If I have a large dosage in a capsule, can’t I dilute it in water, for example 1 liter, and drink it 3-4 times a day?
Amy there is not a Lithium Orotate supplement that I know of that is higher than 5 mg of elemental lithium. The rest is Orotic acid. The standard adult dosage is 5 mg Lithium Orotate 3-times per day.
David, I tried a very small dose 1/4 of a 1mg capsule of Lithium Orotate and felt a bit light-headed and verging on a headache. One other commentor mentioned feeling dizzy. Have you read much about light-headedness as a side effect of such small dosing? Also, do you believe it possible to feel side effects up to a day later due to the long half life? Appreciate the reply!
Luke, it is highly unlikely your are feeling the side effects of such tiny dose of lithium. It more than likely is an adverse reaction of Orotic Acid which makes up the majority of a Lithium Orotate tablet or capsule.
hi havid.. i currrently taking 30mg of lithium orotate.. 5mg in 6 times per day.
i want to go to 40mg per day.
is it better to make it 5mg in 8 times per day
or 10mg in 4 times per day ?
thanks alot
Salem, 4-times per day sounds a lot easier to do compared to 8-times per day. But why are you using so much? Are you replacing prescription Lithium?
hi david, no iam not replacing prescription Lithium,
i just check the SO-check test, by hand scanner, it always show that i have deficiency in lithium,, so i started from 5mg a day, not i reached 30mg, still shows that i have deficiency
so i thought i would go for 40mg
regarding my mood, i have social anxiety, i dont have bi-polar
u suggest to go down to 20mg per day?
40 mg Lithium Orotate is safe to use. But with minerals, it often takes awhile for your levels to be optimized. Lithium Orotate is like micro-dosing lithium and the dose it so low it does not show up in blood tests.
hi david,,, so the 40mg is safe to take, even for people who dont have bipolar ?
Salem, 40 mg is slightly more than the recommended dose for “healthy adults” but is still considered safe to use.
I used lithium oritate 5 mg 3 to 5 times a day a while back when I was going off of antidepressants.
I’ve had anxiety depression and mood swings lately irritability..
I tried the lithium orotate again only one pill and it seems to make me pee more right away although I’m having a problem with that anyway but it’s definitely related to the orotate almost immediately.
Will this go away.. or should I be concerned is there something else I can try…
Lithium Orotate can aggravate frequent urination. That’s why it is not recommended for a perron with renal disease, or if you’re taking diuretics or ACE inhibitors.
Do you think starting with 20mg is too high? I just got a bottle (from Amazon) to use for ADHD, moods, depression, etc. I wonder if emptying out half a capsule could work? I very clearly need this stuff!
Love the article, thank you.
Coco, the standard adult dosage of Lithium Orotate is 5 mg 3-times per day. Or 15 mg per day total. 20 mg is not much higher so you should be OK. Try half a capsule first and see how you react. If all is good then use full capsule next time.
Hi there! Your site is “a godsend” and I’ll be ordering your book shortly-thank you so much for laying all of this out like this…wow! Work of heart for sure.
So, I am wondering…if a low dose of Seroquel & Lamotrogine would be contraindicated? -For BPD. -Thank you!!
Contraindicated with what? Lithium Orotate? If so, then check drugs.com for interactions. Such as: https://www.drugs.com/drug-interactions/lamotrigine-index.html
This article by David Tomen is so well laid out, it answers any questions I had in my mind. I wonder, is taking lithium orotate in capsule form as effective as liquid drops! Thanks
Anthony
I was hoping I was not the small percentage of people who it doesn’t work for.
After reading reports of people who it does work for, I was really disappointed to find that even 20mg does zero.
What exact reasons isn’t lithium orotate for everyone?
Thanks
Chrissy, because you may already have enough lithium in your system.
Can this be taken with low dose Clonazepam? (.5 mg per night for sleep)
Marie, they are not contraindicated so should not be a problem.
Can this be used with wellbutrin?
Carla, should not be a problem. They are not contraindicated.