How does lithium work?

Question

i know serotonin is involved but what other neurotransmitters are involved also and to what degree is appetite and metabolism affected. how does brain chemistry affect body chemistry when it comes to psychotropic drugs. Lastly, why do most prescription drugs cause weight gain.

Answer 1

Good question....Scientists do not exactly know how Lithium works.  The mechanism has been studied for over 30 years.  Please see this article.  http://pn.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/conte...

Now, there is also some confusion about why Lithium causes weight gain.  Some scientists believe that people wind up drinking more "sweet high-calorie drinks" because they tend to get thirsty, so all the extra calories cause weight gain.  Other scientists believe that Lithium actually alters the metabolism of the body by slowing it down.  A slower metabolism causes increase weight gain.

Again, this is not well understood.

It is sad because we have used Lithium for treatment of Bipolar disorder for over 30 years, but do not understand it at all.

Answer 2

Lithium is a mood stabilizer often used for bipolar. And yes you do gain weight from many of those meds.