Lithium is a toxic metal with no known function in the body--Peter R. Breggin MDLithium
Lithium "is a toxic metal with no known function in the body....it interferes with nerve transmission in general, slowing down the responses to the brain." "Consistent with its toxic effects on the nervous system, lithium causes a tremor in 30-50 percent of patients. Tremors can be a warning sign of impending serious toxicity of the brain, especially if it occurs along with other danger signals, such as memory dysfunction, reduced concentration, slowed thinking, confusion, disorientation, difficulty walking, slurred speech, blurred vision, ringing in the ears, nausea, vomiting and headache. Muscle aches and twitches, weakness, lethargy and thirst are other common signs of lithium toxicity. In the late stages of lithium toxicity, the patient may become delirious and succumb to seizures and coma. EEG studies indicate an abnormal slowing of brain waves in a significant portion of patients routinely treated with lithium; the condition worsens with toxicity." (for complete information see Dr. Breggin's medical text Brain Disabling Treatments in Psychiatry Second Edition.)