In reading my chemistry book, there’s this section called Chemistry and Life: The Improbable Development of Lithium Drugs, along with a picture of an ancient bottle of 7-UP, where label says “Lithiated Lemon Soda”.

Just seeing that image intrigued me enough to read the entire article.

Here’s an excerpt from it:

“In contrast, the lithium ion (Li+) has no known function in normal human physiology. Since the discovery of lithium in 1817, however, salts of the element were thought to possess almost mystical healing powers; there were claims that it was an ingredient in ancient “fountain of youth” formulas. In 1927, Mr. C. L. Grigg began marketing a lithium-containing soft drink with the unweildy name Bib-Label Lithiated Lemon Lime Soda. Grigg soon gave his lithiated beverage a much simpler name: Seven-Up.

Because of concerns of the Food and Drug Administration, lithium was removed from Seven-Up in the early 1950s. At nearly the same time, it was found that the lithium ion has a remarkable therapeutic effect on the mental disorder called bipolar affective disorder, or manic-depressive illness. Over one million Americans suffer from this psychosis, undergoing severe mood swings from deep depression to a manic euphoria. The lithium ion smooths out these mood swings, allowing the bipolar patient to function more effectively in daily life.

… Because lithium overdose can cause severe side effects in humans, including kidney failure and death, lithium salts were not approved as antipsychotic drugs for humans until 1970. Today, Li+ is usually administered orally in the form of Li2CO3, which is the active ingredient in prescription drugs such as Eskalith. Lithium drugs are effective for about 70% of the bipolar patients that take it.” – Chemistry: The Central Science Volume 1, p. 284