Human studies in adults over 55 years by the Wayne State University showed that lithium induced the formation of around 3% brand-new brain cells. Studies have shown that where an animal was “treated” with lithium, it had significantly less neuronal damage if it subsequently got exposed to toxins or suffered a stroke.
There are many studies in regular mainstream medical journals about lithium and its neuroprotective effect. Firstly, the neuroprotective effect: I supplement daily with Lithium Orotate (a salt with orotate which is naturally occurring in the body and in my view the best supplemental form of lithium).But why is it so important? Two reasons: the neuroprotective effect (protects our brains) and secondly as a mood-enhancer, even for low-grade depression. OK, so we know that lithium is perfectly safe in low doses (anything up to 15mg/day). Lithium’s atomic weight on that periodic table you might remember is 6.9, hence the name of the soda, 6.9 rounded up to is 7UP! Lithium was removed from 7UP in 1950, but its benefits remain indisputable. Remember the soda called 7UP? When it first came out, it was called lithiated lemon lime soda (sexy name hey?), but the slogan was “it takes the ouch out of the grouch”! It actually had a bit of a nootropic effect.
It is something which our bodies require, especially for mood regulation. It is a pity that lithium is inadvertently filtered out of water because it means that we need to either get enough lithium through food (challenging) or supplement. What is really interesting is that numerous studies show that in communities where there are higher levels of lithium in the groundwater, there is a very strong correlation to lower rates of suicide and violence. We also find it in many foods, but you’d have to eat 30 tomatoes to get 15mg of lithium in a day! For mental illness or bipolar syndrome, you require a super pharmacological dose, anything from 300mg to 1,800mg.Īs mentioned, lithium is not some scary science experiment, it is a naturally occurring trace element that is found in nature, particularly in spring water, in quantities of 1-5mg. The difference between lithium as a nootropic/supplement and as a medication for bipolar syndrome is the DOSE. Luckily, lithium has recently become one of the new darlings of the nootropic industry, and with good reason. Think back to the periodic table of elements that you might have come across in high school – lithium is a normal, natural trace element (in the same family as sodium & potassium). For some reason, people view it as a scary substance! In fact, when you mention lithium, eyebrows are often raised. While it is an absolute lifesaver for people with bipolar disorder, severe depression or mania, it has previously been overlooked as useful for anything else. It’s a real pity that people think of lithium as a substance exclusively for people with bipolar syndrome. Read More: What are Nootropics? Lithium as a Nootropic They are, by definition, non-toxic and neuroprotective. They work by increasing mental functions such as memory, creativity, motivation and attention. they have an impact on the brain) that have been around for centuries. Nootropics are natural (rarely synthetic) substances that improve cognitive performance (i.e. Read More: Social anxiety giving you a hard time? Here's how nootropics can help! Nootropics: Why Do They Work? The good news is that there are numerous natural alternatives and large studies are showing that they might well be as effective or more effective than the chemical versions. As a result, many people are hesitant to use antidepressants due to well-documented side effects, changes in brain chemistry and studies showing what the long-term effects of these drugs could be. You may be familiar with the terms like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). These include the likes of talk therapy, meditation, breathing practices & relying on natural remedies to restore balance and calm and lift the mood.Īntidepressants are designed to alter the functioning of your neurotransmitters in a particular way. While there is absolutely a time and a place for these, there is also a massive movement towards regulating depression and mood with alternative treatments. Whatever the reason, we’ve seen record highs of antidepressants being prescribed by doctors. Perhaps you’ve been struggling with depression for years, or you’re someone who suffers from “bouts” of depression, where a week or two in a year just feel so much bluer than any other time. Perhaps you’ve lost a loved one, lost a job or just miss your social connections.
The last couple of months has certainly put a spotlight on a pandemic (not the one you think) that is rampant in our modern society - Depression.
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