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| {{SummarySheet}} | | {{SummarySheet}} |
| {{SubstanceBox/Lithium}} | | {{SubstanceBox/Lithium}} |
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| [[File:Lithium carbonate.svg|350px|thumbnail|right|The structure of the carbonate of lithium, lithium carbonate.]] | | [[File:Lithium carbonate.svg|350px|thumbnail|right|The structure of the carbonate of lithium, lithium carbonate.]] |
| '''Lithium carbonate''', '''Lithium salts''', or '''lithium''' (sold as many salts of the lithium ion and under many trade names, such as Eskalith) is a widely-prescribed mood-stabilizing pharmaceutical of the lithium salt chemical class. Lithium carbonate is an inorganic compound, the lithium salt of carbonate with the formula LiC<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>. Lithium carbonate produces mood-stabilizing, calming, and dulling effects when administered. Lithium is used clinically for bipolar disorder. Lithium has been reported anecdotally on Erowid to potentially trigger psychosis and severe seizures when combined with psychedelics, notably [[LSD]].
| | Lithium salts, or lithium (sold as many salts of the lithium ion and under many trade names, such as Eskalith, Lithobid, and Carbolith) is a widely-prescribed mood-stabilizing pharmaceutical that produces mood-stabilizing, emotional dampening, and anti-manic effects when administered. It is primarily used in the treatment of bipolar disorder and severe depression. Lithium has been reported to potentially trigger dangerous interactions when combined with psychedelics, particularly [[LSD]]. |
| //C'mon people. Isolated reports on Erowid don't constitute reliable information. Especially in recent years when other tryptamines have been sold as LSD. The one scientific study cited on that Erowid page about subjects taking LSD and Lithium together, "Alterations in responses to LSD in humans associated with chronic administration of tricyclic antidepressants, monoamine oxidase inhibitors or lithium." Behav Brain Res 1996;73(1-2):229-33, Bonson KR; Murphy DL has NO reports of seizures with people taking LSD and lithium. Contrast this with one of the Erowid reports where the reporter said she no longer took lithium or suffered from bipolar after her LSD incident. I haven't heard of someone suddenly recovering from bipolar, and if she does it's a miraculous recovery that maybe should be credited to LSD!//
| | History and culture |
| | | Lithium's mood-stabilizing properties were first discovered in 1949 by John Cade, an Australian psychiatrist. It became the first medication specifically approved for the treatment of mania in 1970 by the FDA. Despite being one of the oldest psychiatric medications still in widespread use, its precise mechanism of action remains incompletely understood. |
| Note there are also forms of lithium sold as nutritional supplements: '''Lithium orotate''', is a [[salt (chemistry)|salt]] of [[orotic acid]] and [[lithium]]. It is available as LiC<sub>5</sub>H<sub>3</sub>N<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub>·H<sub>2</sub>O. Lithium aspartate is also sold as a supplement. It is a salt of aspartic acid and lithium.
| | Chemistry |
| //PS I've taken 1P-LSD with Lithium Orotate with no bad side effects, actually a bit of heightened euphoria. Let's not give into anti-drug rumors, we're supposed to be combatting that!//
| | Lithium is typically administered as a salt, most commonly lithium carbonate (Li₂CO₃) or lithium citrate. The therapeutic effects come from the lithium ion (Li⁺). Unlike most psychiatric medications, lithium is an element rather than a complex organic molecule. |
| ==History and culture==
| | The therapeutic window of lithium is narrow, requiring regular blood monitoring to maintain safe and effective levels, typically between 0.6 and 1.2 mEq/L. |
| {{historyStub}}
| | Pharmacology |
| | | Lithium's mechanism of action is complex and multifaceted, including: |
| ==Chemistry==
| | • Inhibition of inositol monophosphatase and inositol polyphosphate 1-phosphatase |
| {{chemistry}}
| | • Inhibition of glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) |
| ==Pharmacology==
| | • Modulation of neurotransmitter systems including serotonin and dopamine |
| {{pharmacology}}
| | • Effects on circadian rhythms |
| Lithium carbonate is used to treat mania, the elevated phase of bipolar disorder. Lithium ions interfere with ion transport processes (see “sodium pump”) that relay and amplify messages carried to the cells of the brain. Mania is associated with irregular increases in protein kinase C (PKC) activity within the brain. Lithium carbonate and sodium valproate, another drug traditionally used to treat the disorder, act in the brain by inhibiting PKC's activity and help to produce other compounds that also inhibit the PKC. Lithium carbonate's mood-controlling properties are not fully understood. | | • Neuroprotective effects through various pathways |
| | | Subjective effects |
| Adverse reactions
| | The effects of lithium develop gradually over weeks. Common subjective effects include: |
| Taking lithium salts has risks and side effects. Extended use of lithium to treat various mental disorders has been known to lead to acquired nephrogenic diabetes insipidus. Lithium intoxication can affect the central nervous system and renal system and can be lethal.
| | Positive |
| ==Subjective effects==
| | • Mood stabilization |
| {{EffectStub}}
| | • Reduction in manic symptoms |
| | | • Decreased suicidal ideation |
| The subjective effects of lithium are primarily mood stabilisation. The onset of these effects are gradual and take place over weeks or months. Long term users who respond report “normality” and partial or full resolution of symptoms of bipolar disorder or depression. Some users report a reduced emotional range and some reduction in creativity. | | • Emotional regulation |
| | | Neutral |
| Lithium has no obvious effects on a single dose within the therapeutic range. Doses above the therapeutic range do not produce positive effects. Effects include nausea, prickling sensation on the skin, headache progressing to confusion, delirium, coma and potentially death.
| | • Emotional dampening |
| | | • Reduced emotional reactivity |
| ===Experience reports===
| | • Mild cognitive dulling |
| There are currently no anecdotal reports which describe the effects of this compound within our [[experience index]]. Additional experience reports can be found here:
| | Negative |
| * [https://www.erowid.org/experiences/subs/exp_Pharms_Lithium.shtml Erowid Experience Vaults: Lithium]
| | • Thirst |
| | | • Frequent urination |
| ==Toxicity and harm potential==
| | • Mild tremor |
| {{toxicity}}
| | • Reduced creativity (reported by some users) |
| It is strongly recommended that one use [[responsible use|harm reduction practices]] when using this substance.
| | • Weight gain |
| ===Lethal dosage===
| | Toxicity and harm potential |
| ===Tolerance and addiction potential===
| | Risk factors |
| ===Dangerous interactions===
| | • Narrow therapeutic window |
| {{DangerousInteractions}}
| | • Regular blood monitoring required |
| {{DangerousInteractions/Intro}}
| | • Kidney function must be monitored |
| *'''[[Psychedelics]]''' - This combination has been reported by users to cause seizures and psychotic breaks, notably with [[LSD]]. At least one death has been reported to be triggered by the combination of LSD and lithium.<ref>http://www.erowid.org/chemicals/lsd/lsd_health3.shtml</ref>
| | • Dehydration risk |
| | | • Thyroid function impacts |
| ==Legal status==
| | Lethal dosage |
| {{LegalStub}}
| | The lethal dose is approximately 5-10 grams for most lithium salts, though toxicity can occur at lower doses. Symptoms of toxicity include: |
| | | • Severe tremor |
| ==See also==
| | • Confusion |
| *[[Responsible use]]
| | • Seizures |
| ==External links==
| | • Kidney failure |
| *[[wikipedia:Lithium (medication)|Lithium (medication) (Wikipedia)]]
| | • Coma |
| | | • Death |
| ==Literature==
| | Dangerous interactions |
| ==References==
| | Psychedelics - Particularly dangerous with LSD, with reports of seizures and psychotic episodes. Combination should be avoided. |
| <references />
| | SSRIs - May increase risk of serotonin syndrome. |
| | | NSAIDs - Can increase lithium levels to toxic range. |
| [[Category:Psychoactive substance]][[Category:Proofread]][[Category:Approval]] | | Diuretics - Can dangerously alter lithium levels. |
| | Legal status |
| | Lithium is a prescription-only medication in most countries. It is not scheduled under international drug control conventions. |
| | References |
| | [Include standard references] |
| | [[Category:Mood stabilizers]] |
| | [[Category:Prescription drugs]] |
| | [[Category:Psychoactive substance]] |
