BORON PREPARATIONS IN PSYCHIATRY AND NEUROLOGY: THEIR RISE, FALL AND RENEWED INTEREST

Abstract

The use of boron preparations (borax and boric acid) in medicine began long before their isolation in pure form. The mineral water of boron-containing sources has been historically used to treat skin diseases, to wash eyes, to disinfect wounds, etc. Also, what is of interest in the context of this article, boron-containing waters were used as calming, anti- anxiety, anticonvulsant and sleep-promoting remedy. In 1777, boric acid was first isolated from the mineral water of a healing spring source in Florence. Historically, first name of this compound was sal sedativum (“soothing salt”). However, the discovery of boron toxicity led to the cessation of its internal use. In recent decades, it has been found that boron is a microelement necessary for many metabolic processes in the body. It affects memory, cognitive functions, anxiety level, sleep, mood, regulates calcium and magnesium exchange, metabolism of vitamin D and sex steroids. It has been shown that some cases of treatment resistance to standard therapy, for example in epilepsy, anxiety and depression, are related to boron deficiency. In this regard, interest in the use of boron preparations in psychiatry and neurology, but in much smaller doses and on new scientific grounds, flared up again.

Keywords

• boron
• calcium
• magnesium
• vitamin d
• cognition
• epilepsy
• anxiety
• depression