A Survey Exploring People's Experiences With Lithium Bought as a Supplement: Une enquête sur l’expérience des personnes avec le lithium en supplément

Abstract

Objective:

Lithium, despite its evidence base and range of indications, is often underutilized due to safety concerns associated with high-dose prescriptions and consequent necessity for regular blood monitoring. Emerging evidence suggests its potential benefits at lower doses, especially for its pro-cognitive effects and positive safety profile. While accessible as a supplement, empirical human evidence on neuropsychiatric effects is lacking. This study aimed to provide preliminary evidence regarding the utilization and perceived effects of low-dose lithium supplements (LiS) in the community.

Methods:

Cross-sectional, opportunistic survey of 211 participants aged ≥18 years who disclosed taking over-the-counter lithium supplements. The survey assessed sample demographics, supplement details, overall perspectives, and personal experiences related to the use of LiS.

Results:

The most common form of LiS taken was aspartate at 10 mg once per day, although lithium orotate and ionic lithium were also frequently used. The most common beliefs regarding the benefits of using lithium as a supplement concern efficacy for anxiety, but the most common improvements experienced was in the domain of cognition, closely followed by anxiety and mood. Mood was most commonly reported as the greatest improvement. Side effects and withdrawal phenomena were more prevalent than anticipated.

Conclusion:

This study revealed a diverse range of lithium supplements taken, in terms of dosage, formulation, frequency, and duration of intake. Anecdotal evidence highlighted prevalent perceived benefits and adverse effects. The study is, however, limited notably by its cross-sectional opportunistic design; more robust evidence, especially from controlled trials, is needed to fully establish the specific benefits and drawbacks associated with different forms and doses of accessible lithium supplements.

Plain Language Summary Title

A survey exploring people's experiences with lithium bought as a supplement.

Plain Language Summary

Lithium is the oldest effective medication used in psychiatry and holds an important place today. However, there are challenges with lithium in high doses and it may still be effective in low doses. Lower doses of lithium can be bought as a supplement over the counter, but this version of lithium has not been studied in research. We did a survey aiming to tell us some information about the experiences of people who have taken this supplementary lithium (“LiS”). From 211 adults who completed our study, results suggested that LiS is taken in many different forms, at different doses, frequencies and for different durations. People commonly believed and/or found that LiS was beneficial for anxiety, mood and cognition. Side effects and symptoms after stopping LiS were, however, more common than expected. Because this was just an initial survey, more in depth and rigorous research studies are needed to fully understand the exact benefits and drawbacks associated with different forms and doses of accessible lithium supplements.