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The most common compounds of lithium is Li₂CO₃. This compound, lithium carbonate, it used in glass or ceramic to make it much stronger. Lithium carbonate is used in products such as Pyrex™ cookware and black and white television tubes. As on 1996, 40% of lithium used in the United States was used as part of lithium carbonate.

Lithium carbonate can also be used in pill form to treat bipolar disorder. Its origins for use for mental health are rooted in 1949, when John Cade (1912-80) discovered that lithium carbonate benifits patients with bipolar disorder.

Although lithium compounds can be good for your health, they are known to cause kidney damage.

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