Normotim: Brain and focus supplement
BUY NOWDiscover What Lower Doses of Lithium Do
Lithium exists on a spectrum of doses. A paper titled “Lithium: how low can you go?” published in the International Journal of Bipolar Disorders discusses the effects of different doses of lithium, from high to trace.
Lithium dosage classification (Source: Strawbridge & Young, 2024)
A possible benefit of lower doses is better tolerability and improved adherence. The downside is the limited amount of evidence and the small number of studies on the effectiveness of lower doses. Nevertheless, scientists point out that we should explore the use of lower lithium doses. Let’s look at three of them: low, micro, and trace.
Low
Studies have shown that low doses of lithium may benefit people with dementia. The paper states that “lithium could be used to prevent as well as treat cognitive deterioration.”
Low doses also were shown to help reduce manic symptoms in people with alcohol use disorder and improve irritability and irrational beliefs associated with extreme hopelessness in people with depression.
Micro
Microdoses are often purchased over the counter as nutritional supplements. A study states that they are safe to use.
Microdoses can:
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Support people with age-related cognitive decline.
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Be added as mood stabilizers for people with bipolar or unipolar depression who cannot tolerate high doses.
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Improve mood, reduce anxiety, and enhance cognition with a moderate effect size.
Trace
Trace doses usually refer to lithium naturally present in food and water. The levels vary across geographical areas.
Many ecological studies have found a link between lower suicide rates and fewer hospitalizations in areas with higher levels of lithium in drinking water. The paper “Lithium: how low can you go?” shows that trace lithium in the environment is also associated with reduced rates of dementia and fewer depressive and anxiety symptoms.
Scientists also mention that one of the factors contributing to the benefits of trace lithium is prolonged exposure. Therefore, the longer the exposure, the more evident the effect may be.
What category does Normotim fall into?
Normotim belongs to the microdose category of lithium, while Lithium ascorbate falls into the trace-dose category. Microdoses may shift emotional state, whereas trace doses may help restore lithium levels.