Lithium for the Brain

Lithium, a potentially essential trace element, has been a mainstay medicine in psychiatry for over a century—it's still the gold-standard mood stabilizer for bipolar disorder and also lowers suicide risk.

Like any powerful drug, it needs monitoring (especially kidneys and thyroid), but when used properly, it’s effective and well-studied.

Beyond mood, newer research hints that lithium may help protect the brain.

Animal and cell studies—and several human observational studies and small trials—suggest it can reduce harmful brain changes linked to Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, and people taking lithium may have a lower risk of dementia.

Very low (“micro-dose”) regimens look promising in labs, but we still need large, carefully conducted clinical trials before making broad recommendations.

• What we know now: Lithium is proven for bipolar disorder and reducing suicide risk; any brain-health benefit is a possible bonus, not yet a current standard of care.
• Why scientists are excited: Lithium affects key brain pathways (like GSK-3β), which in models reduces plaques/tangles, calms inflammation, and supports neurons—signals that align with lower dementia risk seen in population studies.
• If you’re curious: Don’t self-start lithium or “micro-dose” on your own; talk to a clinician about risks, monitoring, and whether a clinical trial or supervised use makes sense for you.

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