Lithium
| Lithium | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Molecule | Li2CO3 |
| Compound | Lithium Carbonate |
| Era | Ancient |
| Origin | Sweden |
| Archetype | Acidhouse |
| Ancestor | Irish Druids |
| Swag Score | 5 |
| Date Added | 2025-01-12 |
[view source]Effects & Properties
Effects: Stabilizes mood, reducing manic and depressive episodes in bipolar disorder. May cause mild tremor, increased thirst, frequent urination, and weight gain.
Natural Occurrence: Lithium carbonate is a synthetic compound and does not occur naturally in its pharmaceutical form. However, lithium (the metal) is found in trace amounts in minerals and human tissues.
[view source]History
Lithium was first discovered as an element by Swedish chemist Johan August Arfwedson in 1817 in the mineral petalite. Its psychiatric applications were pioneered by Australian psychiatrist John Cade, who in 1949 discovered lithium's remarkable ability to calm manic episodes after testing lithium salts on guinea pigs, marking one of the most important breakthroughs in the history of psychiatry. Despite Cade's discovery, lithium was not approved by the FDA for bipolar disorder treatment until 1970, partly due to pharmaceutical companies' lack of interest in patenting a naturally occurring element, and it remains the gold standard mood stabilizer to this day.
[view source]Connections
Archetype: Acidhouse
Ancestor: Irish Druids
Tarot Card: Queen of Pentacles
PubChem: Lithium Carbonate
Paired With: Lamotrigine