Lithium (microdose vs therapeutic)
Mental Health · Mood stabilizer / geroprotector
Tier B
What this is
Underused in modern psychiatry despite unparalleled mortality evidence in bipolar. Microdose lithium (often as orotate salt) popular in biohacker circles based on epidemiological data showing lower suicide/dementia in high-lithium drinking water regions (Zarse 2011, Ishii 2014) — mechanism plausible, but RCT evidence for supplementation is thin.
Mechanism
GSK-3β inhibition, IMPase inhibition, Wnt signaling modulation; at therapeutic doses mood-stabilizing; at 'microdose' (orotate/low carbonate), proposed cognitive and neuroprotective benefits with minimal toxicity
Dose & route
Therapeutic: 600-1200 mg/day Li carbonate, targeting blood level 0.6-1.2 mEq/L; microdose: 1-5 mg elemental lithium/day
Citations
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23814104/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21665374/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3712974/
Links go to the source. If a link is dead or you want something re-checked, let me know.
This is an independent synthesis of published research by a non-clinician. Scores are opinions supported by citations, not prescriptions. See the full disclaimer and methodology for how this score was produced and what it does and doesn't mean.