lithium Supplementation

[Heady Muscle]

Ever since going through chemo for two in a half years, I have been trying to find supplements that will help elevate the lingering chemo brain. I tried many supplements (too many to list here) with varying results.
Recently I began using DMAE with noticable results. I take a small dose prior to going to bed. I wake up rested and more alert.

The other day I was on a cancer forum and a poster said they were taking small doses of lithium and it has helped her quite a bit. She is not taking lithium carbonate but an orotate version that is readily available over the counter.

After further research I picked up a bottle of lithium orotate and took my first dose this morning. I will see what happens.

Does anyone have any experience using lithium supplementation?

I found an interesting study on lithium micro dosing:

Beyond its Psychiatric Use: The Benefits of Low-dose Lithium Supplementation - PMC

Lithium is most well-known for its mood-stabilizing effects in the treatment of bipolar disorder. Due to its narrow therapeutic window (0.5-1.2 mM serum concentration), there is a stigma associated with lithium treatment and the adverse effects that ...

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Thanks

 

[myosin]

I take LO for longevity purposes for it's effects on neuroplasticity. Many also take it to help stabilize their mood similar to LC but as you noted the dose only needs to be 3-10mg, I take 5mg daily because it crosses the blood brain barrier easily, whereas LC doesn't which is why people take doses in the hundreds of mg's. Interestingly, while correlation doesn't equal causation, you'll find several articles discussing how cultures/areas with the highest amount of LO in their water have the lowest level of suicide and conversely in area's with the lowest LO in their water.

That all to say, I think it's worth trying out as it's relatively inexepensive and safe... I don't think it's something that really "hits you" and you're like "wow", but more a gradual response so maybe try to hold off adding anything else for a month or so.

 

[Heady Muscle]

Thanks Myo. That is good information. What brand of LO are you using?

 

[beefnewton]

I used Advanced Research when I tried it. I may try it again. There aren't many vendors for it. Most are just unknown companies slapping a label on China-sourced LO (Doublewood, cough). I lost faith in Nutricost a long time ago. Pure Encapsulations is generally regarded as legit. Not sure I'd trust KAL (I used to take their Magnesium Glycinate), and I have no idea who Weyland... probably a Doublewood clone. I'm sure it's all Chinese, but I'd like to think the more well-known sources get it tested (riiiight). Anyway, when I did a deep dive on this long ago, Advanced Research was regarded as the best one. Don't let the 120mg fool you. Approximately 5mg is Lithium, with the remainder being the Orotate.

Amazon.com

 

[Heady Muscle]

I used Advanced Research when I tried it. I may try it again. There aren't many vendors for it. Most are just unknown companies slapping a label on China-sourced LO (Doublewood, cough). I lost faith in Nutricost a long time ago. Pure Encapsulations is generally regarded as legit. Not sure I'd trust KAL (I used to take their Magnesium Glycinate), and I have no idea who Weyland... probably a Doublewood clone. I'm sure it's all Chinese, but I'd like to think the more well-known sources get it tested (riiiight). Anyway, when I did a deep dive on this long ago, Advanced Research was regarded as the best one. Don't let the 120mg fool you. Approximately 5mg is Lithium, with the remainder being the Orotate.

Amazon.com

Much thanks BN. I will take a look

 

[Mike_RN]

I use Life Extension Foundation Lithium 1000mcg (100mg) once per day. Initially I gave it to my wife to help with MS but I also found so much research on cognitive decline (and how lithium can help) that I started taking it myself about 2yrs ago.

 

[Mike_RN]

It’s also LO which is preferred form for neuro protection

 

[Heady Muscle]

I use Life Extension Foundation Lithium 1000mcg (100mg) once per day. Initially I gave it to my wife to help with MS but I also found so much research on cognitive decline (and how lithium can help) that I started taking it myself about 2yrs ago.

Mike,
That is what I picked up,.the Life Extension.
It seems like I am on the right path from listening to you all. I not hoping for a miracle but progress would be nice.

Thanks Mike!

 

[myosin]

Dang, good stuff @beefnewton …. I do take the KAL brand… sadly you’re probably right about so many Chinese imports…. Will look into the brand you mentioned and as a note to us all it probably would be good to do due diligence on where the supps come from more, I know i rarely, well, if ever, actually look Into it.

 

[beefnewton]

Well I never had anything against KAL. It seemed pretty good quality to me. It's just that specific product from them was rated poorly on Fakespot. If a vendor has to rely on fake reviews, I have to wonder how good the product.

 

[Heady Muscle]

Quick update:
I decided to dose the lithium prior to going to bed. I do not know if it is coincidence or not but I am definitely sleeping deeper. Using only one gram.
More sleep equates for better overall mood for me.

 

[Tuffoldman]

I have often wondered about lithium as a supplement for mood enhancement or maybe I should say balancing out moods. I didn't know there was different types of lithium.

I am bipolar and my understanding, it has been a while since I've read about it, lithium is used for my form of bipolarism which is IED ( Intermittent explosive disorder).

The older I get the more I can keep my self from losing control way better than I did when I was younger. It would be nice if I can level out my mood a little bit more. The biggest thing that I notice is mood swings I can go into a deep depression out of the blue or I can eat bouncing off the wall. I've had doctors put me on all kinds of antidepressants and anti-anxiety those things do absolutely nothing plus I really hate taking them I think they're overused and don't really stabilize my mood like I like


The two forms of lithium so one is better than the other?? Is it just have to do with the dosage depending on the version of lithium? I've heard horror stories of people taking it and it being too much and causing neurological damage but again there's a lot of crap on the internet that is opinion based and not necessarily truth.

I have never taken DMAE but I have taken gaba but never really noticed any benefit worth mentioning