Elements
Radiolab
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Lithium and the Bipolar Epidemic
Lithium is very similar to sodium. So if you have lithium in the brain, the neurons will use that to communicate. They'll send lithium ions back and forth. Lithium works just like sodium but not as well. That stops the bipolar episode. But replacing it can be toxic to the kidneys. The balance of sodium in your body is regulated partially through the kidneys. It's terrifying to court mania,. But I also feel like there are a lot of effective drugs. And that one of them is going to work.It won't be as cool as lithium though.
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