Lithium ascorbate is a lithium salt characterized by normothymic action. This salt consists of lithium ions bound to ascorbic acid — vitamin C. Researchers tested how a single dose of lithium ascorbate is absorbed, distributed, and eliminated from the body over time.

How The Study Was Done

Scientists used a highly precise method called mass spectrometry to determine the level of lithium in the blood and in 11 different organs, such as the brain, heart, liver, kidneys, and bones of rats. 

Key Findings

• Lithium was absorbed quickly, peaking in the blood and brain within one to 1.5 hours.

• Levels of lithium in the blood and brain stayed stable for more than 40 hours.

• The frontal lobe of the brain, heart, and liver had the highest levels of lithium.

• Lithium was eliminated very slowly, with a half-life of up to 451 hours in bone.

• Lithium ascorbate showed low toxicity —  8.4 times less than that of lithium carbonate.

What Does It Mean For You?

When lithium ascorbate enters the body, it is quickly absorbed and then stored in special "depots" located in the brain, adrenal glands, thigh bone, and aorta, where it stays stable before gradually releasing back into the bloodstream and slowly leaving the body through urine. 

This process allows lithium ascorbate to deliver long-lasting, brain-focused effects even at low doses, maintaining steady therapeutic levels without sudden spikes. Thanks to its extended half-life and low toxicity, it may not require constant blood monitoring and can be taken less frequently, making it a safer and more convenient option for long-term use.

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