I think you perceived this in the context of the medication Lithium, of which I am familiar and have close friends who take it, as opposed to the element. My understanding is that in the Texas study, quantities &lt;1000x those used in the medication in the existing natural source of drinking water still demostrate statistically significant improvements in the mental health of the local residents. Lithium the pharmaceutical is about as high a dose as you can reasonably give people where Lithium the element is effective (seemingly) at &lt;1000x that level. The only other water study was done in Japan and replicated the results but only specifically with respect to suicide [1]. I agree that Lithium in large quantities could be profoundly negative for all those exposed, but that there is probably a poorly understood but clinically viable amount that would improve quality of life without risking toxicity. Various parts of the world including Japan and Bolivia are working on further research to find a more conclusive answer. [1] <a href="http:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov&#x2F;pubmed&#x2F;19407280" rel="nofollow">http:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov&#x2F;pubmed&#x2F;19407280</a>