Psychiatric benefits of lithium in water supplies may be due to protection from the neurotoxicity of lead exposure.

Lithium is a medication used to treat bipolar disorder and may also prevent cognitive decline and suicide. Lithium is also found naturally, in levels well below clinical doses, in drinking water worldwide, and higher levels have been associated with lower rates of psychiatric disorders. Lead is another element in the environment but is a toxin of public health concern. Negative effects of chronic lead exposure and possible benefits of environmental lithium exposure appear complementary.Hypothesis:Exposure to environmental lithium has associated benefits, which may be due to the mitigation of lead toxicity by lithium.
Source: Medical Hypotheses - Category: Biomedical Science Authors: Source Type: research