{"id":3102,"date":"2019-11-06T16:45:22","date_gmt":"2019-11-07T00:45:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/?p=3102"},"modified":"2021-09-20T09:16:59","modified_gmt":"2021-09-20T16:16:59","slug":"the-benefits-of-lithium","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/blog\/the-benefits-of-lithium\/","title":{"rendered":"Potential Lithium Orotate Benefits & Uses (incl. for Anxiety)"},"content":{"rendered":"

According to a few controversial studies, trace amounts of lithium seem to make people more peaceful and friendly. Relatively high doses of lithium carbonate<\/em> are commonly used to treat mental health conditions such as bipolar disorder, anxiety, and depression. Lithium also appears to support the immune system and protect the brain. But what\u2019s the difference between lithium carbonate<\/em> and lithium orotate<\/em>? How effective are high doses, low doses, and “micro-doses”? Read on to get to the bottom of the lithium controversy!<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

What is Lithium?<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

Overview<\/span><\/h3>\n

Lithium is classified as an essential micronutrient, which means that all humans require it in small doses for good health [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n

Lithium carbonate is typically used at high doses and requires a doctor\u2019s prescription and <\/span>careful monitoring of blood lithium levels<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Popular blogs claim that lithium has a number of benefits unrelated to its use as a high-dose pharmaceutical. But what does the science say?<\/p>\n

Despite the hype, there is currently insufficient evidence<\/span> to determine the effectiveness and safety of lithium when used at lower doses<\/b>. However, early research shows some promise.<\/p>\n

Also, lithium orotate<\/em> is relatively poorly-researched, and its safety (both in the short and long term) has not been determined. Its alleged health benefits and supposedly enhanced bioavailability in the brain have never been directly proven by clinical trials [R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n

Additionally, lithium orotate supplements have not<\/span> been officially approved by the FDA for any medical use or other health application.<\/strong> Supplements generally lack solid clinical research: regulations set manufacturing standards for them, but don\u2019t guarantee that they\u2019re safe or effective. Always make sure to speak with your doctor before supplementing with any new compounds.<\/strong><\/p>\n

With those important points in mind, in this post we\u2019ll be focusing on lithium orotate<\/em> and the purported benefits of low-dose lithium in general; but we\u2019ll still go over the main uses of high-dose, prescription lithium (lithium carbonate<\/em>).<\/p>\n

Lithium is classified as an essential nutrient, and some of its salts are naturally found in food and drinking water. However, lithium orotate<\/em>, specifically, is not found in nature — and its effects and overall safety in human users are currently unknown. Therefore, it’s important to be skeptical of many of the claims that lithium’s proponents often make about supplemental lithium online, as many of these effects have not yet been directly backed up by proper scientific studies.<\/div><\/div>\n

Snapshot<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n

Proponents say:<\/b><\/h4>\n
    \n
  • Prescription lithium (lithium carbonate<\/em>) is effective for bipolar and possibly effective for depression, ADHD, and schizophrenia<\/li>\n
  • Lithium allegedly protects the brain<\/li>\n
  • Trace amounts of lithium have been hypothesized to potentially help prevent mental disorders, and reduce aggression and impulsiveness<\/li>\n
  • Low doses are somewhat researched in depression, and some early evidence suggests potential effectiveness<\/li>\n
  • Ongoing research is currently exploring lithium’s potential effects on cellular repair, neurogenesis, and overall lifespan<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    CONs:<\/b><\/h4>\n
      \n
    • Safety and effectiveness of lithium orotate<\/em> is currently unknown<\/li>\n
    • Effectiveness of low-dose lithium is currently unknown<\/li>\n
    • May have the potential to cause adverse side-effects<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Uses of High-Dose Lithium Carbonate<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

      Before we go over the research behind lithium orotate<\/em> and low-dose lithium, let\u2019s review what high-dose, prescription lithium carbonate<\/em> is used for.<\/p>\n

      Remember, psychiatric disorders are generally believed to exist on a spectrum. Similarly, some scientists think that the effects of lithium also arise on a dosage spectrum. We know relatively much more about the “high-dose” spectrum of lithium, since it has been used by medical practitioners for many decades: numerous clinical trials and analyses on therapeutic lithium carbonate<\/em> doses have been published.<\/p>\n

      On the other hand, we know very little about “low-dose” lithium treatments — and even less about supplemental lithium orotate<\/em> \/ lithium “micro-doses”.<\/p>\n

      So, we decided to present lithium science in an unbiased, evidence-based manner — from the highest level of evidence to the lowest.<\/p>\n

      Effective For…<\/span><\/h3>\n