The Mentaid Guide to
Lithium Orotate

This guide is for educational purposes only and does not replace personalized medical advice from a licensed healthcare professional. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Ingredient Education

What Is Lithium Orotate?

Lithium is found in small amounts in:

  • Groundwater
  • Soil
  • Certain vegetables and grains

In its elemental form, lithium is highly reactive and not suitable or practical for use in supplements on its own.

To make it stable and digestible, it is combined with another molecule to form a compound. In supplements, that compound is often lithium orotate.

See these articles for more information:

A capsule with white pellets, the chemical structure of lithium orotate, labeled LiC6H3N2O4, a pile of yellow seeds, green leaves, and a gray mineral rock are shown on a white background.

Lithium is naturally present in trace amounts in the environment and food sources.

Prescription vs Supplement

Isn't lithium a prescription medication?

Certain forms of lithium, such as lithium carbonate and lithium citrate, are used in prescription medications at significantly higher doses.

Lithium orotate is a dietary supplement ingredient that contains much smaller amounts of elemental lithium than what is found in prescription lithium.

Lithium orotate is not equivalent to prescription lithium products and is not intended to replace medical treatment.

A prescription pad labeled “Dr. John Smith” is shown on the left, and a bottle labeled “MENTAID Supports Brain Health Over Time” is on the right, with “VS” in between, comparing the two items.
Safety

Is lithium orotate safe?

For healthy adults, low-dose lithium orotate is generally well tolerated when used as directed.

Safety can depend on individual factors such as overall health status, dose, and use of other medications.

See the “Things to Consider” section below for additional guidance on special populations and medication use.

A lithium orotate supplement capsule with its contents spilled out next to a green shield icon featuring a white checkmark, symbolizing safety or approval.
Dosage Explained

How Much Lithium is in 5mg of Lithium Orotate?

Lithium orotate is not 100% lithium.

Lithium orotate is approximately 3.8–4% elemental lithium by weight.

So, 5mg lithium orotate ≈ 0.2mg elemental lithium (200 micrograms)

Comparison: Lithium in Groundwater

Lithium occurs naturally in drinking water. Levels vary widely depending on geography, however reported ranges are approximately 0.001–0.1mg per liter in many regions.

So a 5mg lithium orotate capsule is in the same general order of magnitude as what may be consumed from certain natural water sources. This is substantially lower than prescription lithium doses, which are measured in hundreds of milligrams of elemental lithium per day.

If you're looking for a carefully formulated low-dose lithium supplement, you can learn more about our Lithium Orotate formula here.

Side Effects

Possible Side Effects of Lithium Orotate

At low doses found in supplements, side effects are uncommon but may include:

  • Nausea or other gastrointestinal discomfort
  • Increased thirst
  • Headache
  • Light dizziness
  • Tremor
cartoon diagram showing the Possible Side Effects of Lithium Orotate

Higher lithium exposure, such as from taking more than suggested or from taking prescription lithium medications, can cause more significant side effects. Any unusual symptoms should be discussed with a healthcare professional.

Other Considerations

Other Things to Consider

Lithium is processed by the kidneys, and overall hydration and kidney health can influence how the body handles it.

Use caution and consult a healthcare professional before use if you:

  • Have kidney disease or reduced kidney function
  • Have thyroid disease or reduced thyroid function
  • Take medications that significantly affect kidney function or fluid balance
  • Are already taking a lithium product
  • Are pregnant or breastfeeding
a diagram highlighting Things to consider before using lithium orotate

Should you take Lithium orotate in the morning or at night?

Learn More

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Learn More about Lithium Orotate