Lithium Orotate Protocol

Lithium orotate is a salt form of lithium combined with orotic acid, available as an over-the-counter supplement. It's very different from prescription lithium carbonate used for bipolar disorder - lithium orotate is taken at much lower doses (5-20mg) compared to prescription lithium (900-1800mg). The orotate form may allow lithium to cross into brain tissue more efficiently, potentially providing benefits at doses that don't require blood monitoring.

Animal research shows lithium orotate produces brain lithium concentrations three times higher than lithium carbonate at equivalent doses. In mice, lithium orotate worked at just 1.5mg/kg whilst lithium carbonate required 15-20mg/kg for similar effects. Importantly, lithium orotate caused no kidney or thyroid problems after 14 days, whilst lithium carbonate produced adverse effects.

Low-dose lithium has neuroprotective effects through multiple mechanisms. Research shows it inhibits an enzyme called glycogen synthase kinase-3β, which reduces harmful protein build-up in the brain, increases neurotrophic factors that support brain cell growth, and decreases inflammation. Brain imaging studies show chronic lithium use increases hippocampus and amygdala volume and cortical thickness.

For dementia prevention, a systematic review found that five out of seven studies showed an association between lithium and lower dementia rates. All four small clinical trials of lithium for Alzheimer's dementia found at least some benefits versus placebo, though larger trials are still needed.

Improves cognition, mood, and anxiety based on user experiences. A 2025 survey of people taking lithium supplements (mostly 10mg daily of lithium aspartate, orotate, or ionic forms) found cognition was the most commonly reported improvement (23%), followed by anxiety (20%) and mood (19%). Mood was rated as the greatest improvement overall (31% of respondents). Most people planned to continue using it.

Protects brain cells through multiple mechanisms. Lithium reduces toxic protein build-up (tau and amyloid-beta), stimulates brain growth factors, enhances the brain's cleaning system for clearing damaged proteins, reduces inflammation, and decreases oxidative stress. Imaging studies show it increases brain volume in key areas including the hippocampus (memory center) and amygdala (emotion center).

Shows promise for dementia prevention, though more research is needed. Systematic reviews found associations between lithium use and lower dementia rates in multiple population studies. All four small randomized trials testing lithium for Alzheimer's found some clinical or biological benefits, including one study where microdose lithium (0.3mg daily) slowed cognitive decline over 15 months.

Delivers lithium more efficiently to the brain than standard forms. Animal studies show lithium orotate achieves three-fold higher brain concentrations than lithium carbonate at the same dose, works through distinct transport mechanisms, and requires only 10% of the dose to produce similar effects on manic-like behaviour without causing kidney or thyroid side effects.