No, I am not crazy (or no more so than the average person), but you might describe me as very excited by the potential brain benefits of lithium. While lithium is most famous for its use in large doses for bipolar disorders, lower doses can have an impressive array of benefits for mood and long-term brain health. Lithium is a mineral just like potassium or magnesium and can be taken in doses of 5-20 mg per day. With these lower doses, there is not the concern about toxic side effects as with the prescription doses.
I first became interested in lithium because of its ability to help prevent Alzheimer’s disease and possibly other types of dementia. Lithium appears to protect against Alzheimer’s in at least three ways. It may help protect the brain against aluminum, which could be implicated in the development of Alzheimer’s. Lithium also may protect the brain against damage from excitotoxins, compounds that in excess can induce nerve damage. Monosodium glutamate is one of the best-known excitotoxins. Studies have indicated that lithium may inhibit the build up of beta-amyloid and tau proteins, the main components of the plaques and tangles that form in the brain with Alzheimer’s disease.
Even if you are not particularly at risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease, lithium may improve brain function. Lithium plays important roles in communication between cells in the brain, which is the basis of how we think and feel. It is well known that the brain tends to shrink as we age, but one small study actually showed that this mineral increased brain grey matter. Lithium might also protect the brain from numerous damaging compounds by increasing bcl-2, a protein that may improve the survival of brain cells even possibly from damage cause by a stroke. Because of these benefits, one group of researchers recommended that anyone taking medication for mood or seizure also take lithium to help protect against toxic medication side effects.
Finally, lithium can improve moodiness and irritability. Lithium influences serotonin pathways, and numerous people have noted that it has helped them feel calmer and less angry without feeling sedated. For alcoholics, lithium has been shown to reduce alcohol cravings and improve mood. These benefits combined with the potential brain protecting attributes makes lithium a mineral that could benefit many people.
Dr. Laurell Matthews, ND 
Interesting, checking it out thanks for the review.
Thank you for reading!
Wow, didn’t know Lithium was a mineral. Are there foods that contain lithium? Thanks Dr. L!
Lithium is a mineral that occurs naturally in different quantities in soil and water. Like iodine, some soils are low in it and foods grown there hardly have any lithium. Foods grown in other regions can be higher in lithium, particularly foods like dairy products, sugarcane, seaweed, potatoes, lemons, eggs, and to some extent grains and vegetables. Some mineral waters are also high in lithium.
Awesome, thank you! I’m glad one of us is the smart one. 🙂
Reblogged this on sondasmcschatter.
Very interesting. Thank you!!
When is the best time to take the lithium? Are these tablets and if so can they be split to start at 2.5 mg?
I take it in the morning to get the mood benefits during the day. Some people take it twice a day if needed. I take Biotech brand which is in a capsule, so it couldn’t be easily split. But I have dumped half the contents out a capsule before into a beverage and then used the rest in the capsule later. So it depends on how motivated you are.
Is there a difference between Lithium Orotate and Lithium Aspatate?
Most people consider them to be interchangeable. Aspartic acid is stimulating to the central nervous system, so people avoid it if they are easily overstimulated or sensitive to MSG.