3 ms·

I wonder if things like bipolar disorder fall on a broad spectrum and a lot of people might not have very mild and perhaps undiagnosable mood disorders that mig

by shirro 11y ago

I wonder if things like bipolar disorder fall on a broad spectrum and a lot of people might not have very mild and perhaps undiagnosable mood disorders that might benefit from very low level lithium supplements. Is lithium supplementation a thing (can you buy it in "health food" stores) and is there any evidence of efficacy for non psychiatric cases?

the_rosentotter 11y ago
As I wrote in another comment, many health food stores carry 'trace mineral drops', which are (de-salted) concentrate from the Great Salt Lake. It contains trace amounts of lithium (as well as other 'trace' minerals like magnesium, chloride and sulfate). I know of at least a few cases where they have been prescribed for (and cured) involuntary spasms when trying to sleep after a hard exercise (horse riding), the effect in this case is from the magnesium. You can also buy straight up lithium tablets which contain a slightly higher dose (5mg) than the recommended dosage of the drops (2-3mg). The NYT article referenced in the OP and in other comments references 'evidence' in the form of studies of communities with naturally occuring high-lithium drinking water (lower rates of violence in general).
jerf 11y ago
There's definitely reason to believe it's on a "spectrum", and I seem to recall I've seen studies that suggest probably everybody is on some sort of months-long cycle (not always directly correlated to the calendar, which would be relatively uninteresting). Many creative people who squeeze their creativity dry as coders or artists or whatever have observed this seems to exist. I've noticed it myself, here's another person who recently observed it: http://www.shamusyoung.com/twentysidedtale/?p=26444 http://www.shamusyoung.com/twentysidedtale/?p=26444 In people with pathological bi-polar disorder, it may be the case that rather than some sort of novel problem, it's just that the amplitude and the frequency can be much larger and higher, where "creativity" and "energy" shoot beyond the realms where either of those words quite properly applies anymore. But in the end, we don't really know enough about the brain to be sure about this. A proper, correct model of the brain might be able to prove this by showing the drivers of such a long-term oscillation, but we're a long ways away from the requisite level of detail. Even with the suggestive studies it can only be called an interesting theory.
- shirro 11y ago
  Thanks. I am guessing lots of people have cycles. I feel I do to some extent, especially when it comes to creativity and insightfulness. Those cycles might actually be a good thing as long as they don't swing wildly. I was thinking it would be nice to pin the needle slightly on the creative/active side of the equation but it seems lithium doesn't do that. Getting sun and being active probably makes more sense. Time to put the computer away and spend the rest of my day bike riding :-)
  - mirimir 11y ago
    I have cycles too. Some psychiatrists say that I'm bipolar. Others use other words. Fortunately, I've never been manic enough for long enough to do serious damage. Mostly I've been prone to disappointment, burn out and depression. Anyway, the combination of lamotrigine, modafinil and caffeine works well for me. Lamotrigine (an antiepileptic like divalproex aka Depakote) helps to stabilize my mood. And it's easy to adjust modafinil and caffeine as needed to keep me happy and productive.

by shirro 11y ago

the_rosentotter 11y ago

As I wrote in another comment, many health food stores carry 'trace mineral drops', which are (de-salted) concentrate from the Great Salt Lake. It contains trace amounts of lithium (as well as other 'trace' minerals like magnesium, chloride and sulfate). I know of at least a few cases where they have been prescribed for (and cured) involuntary spasms when trying to sleep after a hard exercise (horse riding), the effect in this case is from the magnesium. You can also buy straight up lithium tablets which contain a slightly higher dose (5mg) than the recommended dosage of the drops (2-3mg). The NYT article referenced in the OP and in other comments references 'evidence' in the form of studies of communities with naturally occuring high-lithium drinking water (lower rates of violence in general).

jerf 11y ago

There's definitely reason to believe it's on a "spectrum", and I seem to recall I've seen studies that suggest probably everybody is on some sort of months-long cycle (not always directly correlated to the calendar, which would be relatively uninteresting). Many creative people who squeeze their creativity dry as coders or artists or whatever have observed this seems to exist. I've noticed it myself, here's another person who recently observed it: http://www.shamusyoung.com/twentysidedtale/?p=26444 http://www.shamusyoung.com/twentysidedtale/?p=26444 In people with pathological bi-polar disorder, it may be the case that rather than some sort of novel problem, it's just that the amplitude and the frequency can be much larger and higher, where "creativity" and "energy" shoot beyond the realms where either of those words quite properly applies anymore. But in the end, we don't really know enough about the brain to be sure about this. A proper, correct model of the brain might be able to prove this by showing the drivers of such a long-term oscillation, but we're a long ways away from the requisite level of detail. Even with the suggestive studies it can only be called an interesting theory.

shirro 11y ago
Thanks. I am guessing lots of people have cycles. I feel I do to some extent, especially when it comes to creativity and insightfulness. Those cycles might actually be a good thing as long as they don't swing wildly. I was thinking it would be nice to pin the needle slightly on the creative/active side of the equation but it seems lithium doesn't do that. Getting sun and being active probably makes more sense. Time to put the computer away and spend the rest of my day bike riding :-)
- mirimir 11y ago
  I have cycles too. Some psychiatrists say that I'm bipolar. Others use other words. Fortunately, I've never been manic enough for long enough to do serious damage. Mostly I've been prone to disappointment, burn out and depression. Anyway, the combination of lamotrigine, modafinil and caffeine works well for me. Lamotrigine (an antiepileptic like divalproex aka Depakote) helps to stabilize my mood. And it's easy to adjust modafinil and caffeine as needed to keep me happy and productive.