Lithium and Mood, Cognition, and Longevity — Dr Rebecca Strawbridge | Reason & Wellbeing 28

You probably associate lithium with batteries, and if you've come across it in a health context, you might just think it's a bipolar medication that's toxic. The reality is much more interesting! As Greg and Rebecca discuss in this video, there are LOTS of reasons why smart doses of lithium might be really good for you, from positive effects on mood, to sharper cognition, to possible anti-ageing effects.

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Enjoy, and let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

Time codes:

00:00 — Introduction
00:55 — Rapid-fire overview of lithium and health
09:30 — Is lithium a micronutrient?
11:06 — Lithium therapy for bipolar disorder
19:31 — Why is therapeutic use of lithium decreasing?
22:58 — Is lithium helpful in treating schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder?
26:18 — Is lithium a good antidepressant?
28:40 — Lithium dosing for bipolar disorder and major depression
33:47 — The time-course of lithium’s effects
34:52 — Does lithium therapy lead to tolerance and withdrawal effects?
36:34 — The mechanisms by which lithium affects brain function
39:05 — The effects of lithium on circadian rhythms
39:49 — The effects of lithium on sleep architecture
48:09 — Is lithium anti ageing?
53:20 — Could lithium intake reduce suicide incidence?
56:48 — Is there a biomarker of long-term lithium intake?
58:47 — Could lithium intake help prevent or treat Alzheimer’s and other dementias?
1:03:19 — Could lithium help treat Parkinson’s disease and other neurodegenerative diseases?
1:04:50 — Which type of lithium is best? Carbonate, citrate, orotate, or aspartate?
1:10:22 — What’s the best time to take lithium?
1:12:34 — Is lithium safe?
1:14:46 — Contraindications to lithium therapy
1:16:05 — Do men and women respond the same way to lithium intake?
1:16:58 — What level of lithium intake is safe in the long term?
1:20:04 — Conclusion


People and resources featured in this episode:

Rebecca Strawbridge, PhD. Find out more about Rebecca’s work here: https://www.kcl.ac.uk/people/rebecca-strawbridge

Greg Potter, PhD. Follow Greg on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/gregpotterphd/

Journal article: Identifying the neuropsychiatric health effects of low-dose lithium interventions: A systematic review: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36436738/
Website: King’s College London Centre for Affective Disorders: https://www.kcl.ac.uk/research/centre-for-affective-disorders-cfad

Disclaimer: This video is for informational purposes only. The video does not constitute the practice of medicine or any other professional healthcare service. The use of information on this video or materials linked from this video is exclusively at the listener’s own risk. The contents of this video are not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Viewers should not wait to obtain or disregard medical advice for any medical conditions they have and should seek the assistance of their healthcare professionals for such conditions. Under no circumstances shall Greg Potter, Greg Potter PhD Limited, or any guests or contributors to the podcast be responsible for damages arising from the use of the contents of this video.