Lithium and Mood
Lithium is a mineral found in the water we drink and the food we eat but many experts believe we may not be getting enough (1). Research has shown in nutritional volumes, it could have wonderful effects on stress relief, memory, brain longevity, well-being and mood (1)(2).
Lithium shows positive mood changes in former substance users.
A study tested 24 people with a former history of substance use. They were divided to receive either nutritional lithium or a placebo and were to perform weekly self-assessed mood questionnaires over 4 weeks.
The lithium group’s mood scores were shown to increase steadily and significantly during the 4-week period. The placebo group showed no consistent positive mood changes (3).
Lithium inhibits GSK-3 and plays a role in the elaborate mechanisms of brain cell function.
Lithium has been shown to boost levels of BDNF which is an important protein that supports brain function and is also believed to support healthy mood (1). Reported effects of nutritional lithium include feeling calmer, experiencing less intense symptoms of poor mood, decreased aggression and not getting as easily upset by stressors (5).
Lithium has also been shown to improve the body’s ability to produce serotonin which has the effect of improving mood and reducing anxiety (6).
Lithium in water suggests possible public health benefits.
Lithium’s presence in our drinking water varies depending on region. A 2011 study from Japan even found a lower rate of “all-cause” mortality in regions where people had higher concentrations of lithium in the tap water compared to regions with less (7).
A study using data from 27 Texas counties between 1978 and 1987 found statistically significant lower rates of crime, suicides and arrests related to drug addiction in counties with higher concentrations of lithium in the water (8).
A 2009 study that evaluated 18 municipalities in Japan also found that water lithium levels may play a role in reducing suicide risk (9).
An additional 2011 study from Austria found strong evidence that regions with higher lithium concentrations in drinking water are associated with lower suicide mortality rates (10).
References:
1) Greenblatt, J. (2018). Integrative medicine for alzheimer's: The breakthrough natural treatment plan that prevents alzheimer's using nutritional lithium. FriesenPress.
2) Lithium Orotate benefits, dosage, &; side effects. Lithium Orotate Benefits, Dosage, &; Side Effects. (2023). Retrieved March 25, 2023, from https://www.naturalmentalhealth.com/blog/lithium-orotate
3) Schrauzer, G. N., &; de Vroey, E. (1994). Effects of nutritional lithium supplementation on mood. Biological Trace Element Research, 40(1), 89–101. https://doi.org/10.1007/bf02916824
4) Carmassi, C., Del Grande, C., Gesi, C., Musetti, L., &; Dell'Osso, L. (2016). A new look at an old drug: Neuroprotective effects and therapeutic potentials of lithium salts. Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment, Volume 12, 1687–1703. https://doi.org/10.2147/ndt.s106479
5) Devadason, P. (2018). Is there a role for Lithium Orotate in psychiatry? Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 52(12), 1107–1108. https://doi.org/10.1177/0004867418810185
6) Abraham, M. (2020, October 10). Risks and benefits of taking lithium for anxiety. Calm Clinic – Information about Anxiety, Stress and Panic. Retrieved March 25, 2023, from https://www.calmclinic.com/anxiety-treatments/lithium
7) Zarse, K., Terao, T., Tian, J., Iwata, N., Ishii, N., &; Ristow, M. (2011). Low-dose lithium uptake promotes longevity in humans and metazoans. European Journal of Nutrition, 50(5), 387–389. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-011-0171-x
8) Schrauzer, G. N., &; Shrestha, K. P. (1990). Lithium in drinking water and the incidences of crimes, suicides, and arrests related to drug addictions. Biological Trace Element Research, 25(2), 105–113. https://doi.org/10.1007/bf02990271
9) Ohgami, H., Terao, T., Shiotsuki, I., Ishii, N., &; Iwata, N. (2009). Lithium levels in drinking water and risk of suicide. British Journal of Psychiatry, 194(5), 464–465. https://doi.org/10.1192/bjp.bp.108.055798
10) Kapusta, N. D., Mossaheb, N., Etzersdorfer, E., Hlavin, G., Thau, K., Willeit, M., Praschak-Rieder, N., Sonneck, G., &; Leithner-Dziubas, K. (2011). Lithium in drinking water and suicide mortality. British Journal of Psychiatry, 198(5), 346–350. https://doi.org/10.1192/bjp.bp.110.091041