Before 1948, 7Up consisted of lithium citrate, which is now used to treat bipolar disorder. However, the Food and Drug Administration banned the use of this lithium salt in soft drinks. 

Lithium, as a chemical element, is known to store energy at high density and release electrons quickly — this is why it is used in lithium batteries in smartphones and cars. 

Lithium citrate from the old 7Up is one of the psychiatric medications including lithium orotate, lithium carbonate, and lithium ascorbate. For example, lithium carbonate can boost neuroplasticity and deal with stress. 

Now, lithium salts are being studied for their ability to improve neural functions in mice with modeled Alzheimer’s disease. Lithium is shown to promote myelin formation, which protects nerve fibers, and enhance microglial cell activity, which cleans up harmful plaques and tangles.

Another promising aspect of this research is the possibility of using lithium levels as a diagnostic marker. The team examined samples of donated human brains and found that natural lithium levels were significantly lower in those affected by Alzheimer’s. This opens the door to screening for lithium deficiency in blood, cerebrospinal fluid, or through brain imaging — potentially enabling early detection years before symptoms appear.

Read the full article on the Washington Post website