Peter's thoughts on lithium supplementation (AMA #3)

Original release date: 10/29/18

This AMA Clip is a segment pulled from an "Ask Me Anything" episode of The Drive titled: #26 – AMA #3: supplements, women’s health, patient care, and more

About:
The Peter Attia Drive is a weekly, ultra-deep-dive podcast focusing on maximizing health, longevity, critical thinking…and a few other things. With over 10 million episodes downloaded, it features topics including fasting, ketosis, Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, mental health, and much more.

Peter is the founder of Attia Medical, PC, a medical practice with offices in San Diego and New York City, focusing on the applied science of longevity. The practice applies nutritional biochemistry, exercise physiology, sleep physiology, techniques to increase distress tolerance, lipidology, pharmacology, and four-system endocrinology to increase lifespan (delaying the onset of chronic disease), while simultaneously improving healthspan (quality of life).

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[heathermartin]

Lithium orotate has literally changed my life.... 20 mg a day. 10 in morning and 10 at night. For the first time in my life I feel normal. My brain does not feel like it's suffering anymore. Thank God.

[nlep]

I’m a giant asshole lately. If lithium can help me achieve assholeness reduction by even 25%, the world will be a better place. I don’t know what’s wrong with me. But everything upsets me and I overreact. And I hate myself afterwards. Mood disorders are awful. Thanks for the info.

[ozzymer]

5mg in the morning and 5mg before bed was life changing to me !!

[ruah]

Lithium orotate has been working very nice for me. About 10-15mg a day. I've def noticed some mood calming effects. I plan to continue.

[jdavis]

LOL "Less of an asshole" is EXACTLY the solution I'm looking for! ;)

[aaronmichael]

Sir most of the kidney and other toxicity issues come from specifically taking Lithium CARBONATE … lithium orotate is great in low doses, crosses the blood-brain barrier much more easily. You only need 10 mg

[sommasculpture]

I take 5-10 mg of lithium orotate daily. It has completely reversed my bipolar. Anger, frustration, suicidal ideation all gone. My relationship with my wife and child have been completely transformed. Can this supplement be continued before surgery? It really helps me with panic attacks. I don't know if it reacts with anesthesia or causes blood thinning. I'd like to stay on it but don't want to risk anything

[martinlutherkingjr.]

Why did you try 600mg when first stated it? Why not just try a small dosage and titrate up until you get an optimal effect?

[martinlutherkingjr.]

Is it true that the active lithium content in OTC lithium is the dosage they quote on the bottle whereas the prescription grade lithium they quote the total lithium on the bottle?

[mowthpeece]

5mg feels great. Don't know why you'd try any more than maybe 20mg per day. It's a naturally occurring mineral salt and works at very low doses.

[runzization]

Interesting fact: The original 7up was introduced as a medicine elixir for the cure of hangovers and had lithium salt(citrate) as one of the ingredients. In 1948 the use of lithium was banned in this soft drink. Being that most soft drinks have a "recipe" I'm not sure if amount of lithium citrate was ever disclosed.
There is still lithia water available having 1/2 mcg per serving. * It seems like with whole foods diet(meat, potatoes) and of course soil you could get 5mg/day.

[kennethmacgregor]

Can lithium oroate be measured in the blood?

[carolfox]

Thomas Guttuso University of Buffalo is using low dose lithium for Parkinsons. He is doing double blind randomized controlled trials.

[thehighmaintenancehippietarot]

I’m on 1000mcg which I’m guessing is very low! Still awaiting results!

[carriersignal]

I'm a proponent of Lithium Orotate. Can't say it works for everyone, but it has for me.

[andrewstupak]

Lithium Orotate is more bioavailable with a low dose. There are Lancet studies and others. Check for yourself and talk with your doctor.

[indigo]

Take lithium orotate. You're welcome. This guy took lithium carbonate

[SparklySarah]

If I don't take my lithium orotate every other day I start feeling that awful tug to the bed and the migraines return.

[enteranon]

Low Dosage Ltihium every Day is the Key for Metal Health 1-20mg

[SparklySarah]

I have a whole stack I've learned enhances my lithium for anyone wanting to try them.

Glycine
NAC
Magnesium glycinate
Taurine