Studies

Explore research connecting ingredients and health goals.

587 ingredient–goal connections

GoalReported findings
SupportiveMixedNo effectAdverseUnclassified

Mood SupportandLithium

197published studies

Supportive

The available research supports prescription lithium for treating mania and reducing recurrence of mood episodes in bipolar disorder. Its protective effect against manic relapse is particularly well supported, while effects on depressive episodes are less consistent. These benefits concern diagnosed mood disorders and medically managed treatment, not general emotional well-being.

Evidence for lithium added to antidepressants in treatment-resistant depression is more uncertain. Some analyses show benefit, but results become less robust when potential bias is considered, and direct comparisons sometimes favor other medicines. Findings for acute bipolar depression are also mixed, so lithium's established role in maintenance treatment should not be taken to mean equal effectiveness for every phase of illness.

The supplied research reports tremor, digestive symptoms, thirst, frequent urination, and thyroid effects, as well as pregnancy-related risks. The treatment studies involve clinical assessment and blood-level monitoring. They do not establish that lithium supplements reproduce prescription treatment benefits or provide a proven approach to everyday mood support.

197 linked studies · 27 sampled for detail · Sep 27, 2026

Study types

  • Narrative review67
  • Randomized trial33
  • Meta-analysis32
  • Cohort study18
  • Systematic review15
  • Guideline / consensus13
  • Observational study5
  • Single-arm trial4
  • Other3
  • Clinical trial2
  • Cross-sectional study2
  • Editorial / commentary1
  • Protocol1
  • Qualitative study1

Published by year

  • 78Earlier
  • 42010
  • 72011
  • 102012
  • 22013
  • 52014
  • 42015
  • 42016
  • 32017
  • 72018
  • 102019
  • 62020
  • 102021
  • 132022
  • 32023
  • 82024
  • 82025
  • 152026

Findings over time

Numbers above bars show study counts. Earlier groups years before 2010.

202615 studies

  • Supportive12
  • Mixed3
  • No effect0
  • Adverse0
  • Unclassified0

Population over time

Reported participants by publication year. Select a year to see the total and reporting coverage.

— Participant count not reported. Earlier groups years before 2010.

2026340,300 reported participants

Counts reported by 6 of 15 studies. 9 without a reported count.

Totals sum reported counts across studies and reviews; participants may overlap between sources.

Explore this goal

Showing 5 top-ranked studies for Lithium and Mood Support.

Top studies

Lithium · Mood SupportHighest ranked first
  1. Canadian Network for Mood and Anxiety Treatments (CANMAT) and International Society for Bipolar Disorders (ISBD) 2018 guidelines for the management of patients with bipolar disorder.
    2019Guideline / consensus

    Bipolar disorders

    Finding Lithium is listed among first-line treatment options for acute mania in bipolar disorder guidelines.

    SupportiveView source for Canadian Network for Mood and Anxiety Treatments (CANMAT) and International Society for Bipolar Disorders (ISBD) 2018 guidelines for the management of patients with bipolar disorder. (opens in a new tab)
  2. GERI-BD: A Randomized Double-Blind Controlled Trial of Lithium and Divalproex in the Treatment of Mania in Older Patients With Bipolar Disorder.
    2017Randomized trial224 participants

    The American journal of psychiatry

    Finding The longitudinal mania model favored lithium over divalproex.

    SupportiveView source for GERI-BD: A Randomized Double-Blind Controlled Trial of Lithium and Divalproex in the Treatment of Mania in Older Patients With Bipolar Disorder. (opens in a new tab)
  3. A placebo-controlled 18-month trial of lamotrigine and lithium maintenance treatment in recently manic or hypomanic patients with bipolar I disorder.
    2003Randomized trial175 participants

    Archives of general psychiatry

    Finding Both active treatments prolonged time to intervention for any mood episode compared with placebo.

    SupportiveView source for A placebo-controlled 18-month trial of lamotrigine and lithium maintenance treatment in recently manic or hypomanic patients with bipolar I disorder. (opens in a new tab)
  4. Mood stabilizers and/or antipsychotics for bipolar disorder in the maintenance phase: a systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
    2022Meta-analysis9,821 participants41 studies reviewed

    Molecular psychiatry

    Finding Lithium and lithium combinations were evaluated as specified treatments.

    SupportiveView source for Mood stabilizers and/or antipsychotics for bipolar disorder in the maintenance phase: a systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. (opens in a new tab)
  5. A pooled analysis of 2 placebo-controlled 18-month trials of lamotrigine and lithium maintenance in bipolar I disorder.
    2004Meta-analysis638 participants2 studies reviewed

    The Journal of clinical psychiatry

    Finding Both active treatments delayed intervention for any mood episode compared with placebo, with median survival of 197 days for lamotrigine, 184 for lithium, and 86 for placebo.

    SupportiveView source for A pooled analysis of 2 placebo-controlled 18-month trials of lamotrigine and lithium maintenance in bipolar I disorder. (opens in a new tab)

Counts reflect published studies in our database, not the strength of a benefit. A study may appear in more than one connection.