“The health effects of long-term, low-level lithium exposure remain uncertain,” according to senior author Kathrin Schilling, PhD, MSc, assistant professor of Environmental Health Sciences at Columbia Mailman School of Public Health. “While lithium has been used safely for decades as a medication to treat bipolar disorder at doses far higher than environmental exposure levels, less is known about the potential health implications of chronic exposure through drinking water.”

There are numerous studies that show other benefits of higher lithium levels in the blood as well. Mining runoff would be my last choice for a source, of course.

[–] zabadoh@ani.social 7 points 1 day ago (2 children)

It would be interesting to study whether higher environmental lithium exposure resulted in reduced numbers of bipolar cases, or reduced severity of bipolar disorder, if that can be measured, or even study of people who moved away from the affected areas having increased risks of bipolar disorder later in life.

[–] antlion@lemmy.dbzer0.com 3 points 1 day ago

There have been studies linking naturally high lithium levels in groundwater to lower suicide rates. It stabilizes moods for anyone not just those with a bipolar diagnosis. For me it’s most noticeable in regulating anger/rage outbursts. Studies also indicate that it’s neuroprotective - reducing risk or severity of dementia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s.

[–] frongt@lemmy.zip 2 points 1 day ago

Natural fluoride is associated with better dental health, so I'd imagine it is associated. (Within safe levels, of course, just like how too much fluoride turns your teeth brown and gives you brain damage.)