Lithium In Drinking Water Lowers Suicide Risk
ByResearch was recently published in the British Journal of Psychiatry which showed the the naturally occurring level of lithium in drinking water may lower suicide mortality.
In this study, the researchers looked at the levels of lithium in the drinking water in 99 districts in Austria. They then assessed the overall suicide rate, and found that when the naturally occurring lithium level in the water was higher, the suicide rate (and mortality) was lower. This study apparently extends findings found in other research studies. You can read more about this research here.
While this is not directly related to ADHD, it is a significant mental health issue, and I thought it was fascinating that naturally occurring lithium in the drinking water could have such an impact on such a significant outcome like suicide.
In psychiatry, lithium is used as a mood stabilizing medication for bipolar disorder. Interestingly, it is one of the few medications which has been proven to help to prevent suicide in patients with mood disorders who are suicidal.
Best,
Dr. Kenny
