Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar Disorder is a mental health condition. The evidence summarized here concerns whether selected interventions may be relevant to its treatment, including Coenzyme Q10, Omega-3, and Vitamin B9 (Folate).
A focused starting point for Bipolar Disorder, listed in the mental category.
This list shows research findings, not treatments. Nothing here replaces medical care. If you have this condition, talk to a doctor.
What may help
What studies found for each option, best evidence first.
4 options:1 some evidence1 not enough evidence2 not tested in people
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)practiceSome evidence it helpsSize of effect: Not known
Some human studies found a benefit. More research could change this.
All 3 studies with a clear result found a benefit.
In a 2026 RCT of 55 inpatients with Bipolar Disorder type I or II, ACT alongside usual care improved cognitive emotion regulation, psychological flexibility, and residual mania and depressive symptoms more than usual care alone. A 2025 pilot RCT in 60 clinically stable adults also found improvements in manic symptoms, psychological flexibility, cognitive fusion and social functioning versus active control; its authors described efficacy as preliminary.
Open the Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) pageYogapracticeNot enough evidence
Too few or too small studies to know if it works.
The one study found a benefit.
A pooled analysis of randomized and non-randomized human studies included only a few studies enrolling adults with bipolar disorder; the authors stated that Yoga supports symptom management in this group.
Open the Yoga pageLoving-Kindness Meditation (Metta)practiceNot tested in people
Only tested in animals, cells or theory. Results like these often do not carry over to people.
The one study found a benefit.
For people with stable bipolar disorder, Loving-Kindness Meditation is described as a cautious approach intended to support emotional regulation and reduce residual depressive symptoms.
Open the Loving-Kindness Meditation (Metta) pagePsychotherapypracticeNot tested in people
Only tested in animals, cells or theory. Results like these often do not carry over to people.
The one study found a benefit.
Psychoeducation, family-focused therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy may be used alongside medication to reduce relapse and improve functioning between episodes.
Open the Psychotherapy page
May not suit people with this condition
Supplements and practices linked to problems for people with this condition.
FastingpracticePossible
A systematic review reported a higher relapse risk during Ramadan fasting; it does not establish that the same risk applies to every fasting pattern.
Open the Fasting page
The expert view shows every study, dose protocol and source.
What may help
Interventions recorded as helping with this condition4 listedMost likely to help, from the evidence we have
- →PracticesAcceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)CertaintyMediumSourceClinical
In a 2026 RCT of 55 inpatients with Bipolar Disorder type I or II, ACT alongside usual care improved cognitive emotion regulation, psychological flexibility, and residual mania and depressive symptoms more than usual care alone. A 2025 pilot RCT in 60 clinically stable adults also found improvements in manic symptoms, psychological flexibility, cognitive fusion and social functioning versus active control; its authors described efficacy as preliminary.
Who was studied
- People with a condition
- Bipolar Disorder
Open Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Study result
ACT + TAU produced greater improvement in cognitive emotion regulation, psychological flexibility, and residual mania and depressive symptoms than TAU alone in inpatients with BD type I or II.
Low probability(3)
- →PracticesYogaCertaintyLowSourceRCT
A pooled analysis of randomized and non-randomized human studies included only a few studies enrolling adults with bipolar disorder; the authors stated that Yoga supports symptom management in this group.
Who was studied
- People with a condition
- Anxiety Disorder
- Bipolar Disorder
- Depression
- Dysthymia
Open YogaStudy result
Only a few included studies enrolled adults with bipolar disorder; authors state yoga supports symptom management in this group.
- →PracticesLoving-Kindness Meditation (Metta)CertaintyLowSourceTheoretical
For people with stable bipolar disorder, Loving-Kindness Meditation is described as a cautious approach intended to support emotional regulation and reduce residual depressive symptoms.
Open Loving-Kindness Meditation (Metta)Study result
Loving-kindness meditation is used cautiously in stable bipolar disorder to improve emotional regulation and reduce residual depressive symptoms.
- →PracticesPsychotherapyCertaintyLowSourceTheoretical
Psychoeducation, family-focused therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy may be used alongside medication to reduce relapse and improve functioning between episodes.
Open PsychotherapyStudy result
Psychoeducation, family-focused therapy and CBT are adjuncts to medication that may reduce relapse and improve functioning between episodes.
What to avoid
Interventions recorded as making it worse1 listedHighest probability
- →PracticesFastingCertaintyMediumSourceClinical
A systematic review reported a higher relapse risk during Ramadan fasting; it does not establish that the same risk applies to every fasting pattern.
Study result
Higher relapse risk during Ramadan fasting
Open FastingRationale
Higher relapse risk during Ramadan fasting
How to read the evidence
Evidence tier — overall strength of the evidence for the whole compound
- StrongWell established — backed by strong, consistent human research.
- ModerateSome genuine support, but mostly from small or lower-quality studies. Promising, not proven.
- PreliminaryEarly-stage evidence — a promising hypothesis, not an established effect yet.
- LimitedVery limited evidence — treat this as a hypothesis, not proof.
- InsufficientNot enough good evidence to draw conclusions yet.
Certainty — how sure we can be that the effect is real
- Very highVery sure — strong, consistent evidence
- HighFairly sure — consistent evidence from good studies
- MediumModerately sure — new studies could change this
- LowNot sure — little or mixed evidence
- Very lowVery unsure — almost no usable evidence
Source — where the data comes from
- Meta-analysisPooled analysis of many trials — the strongest evidence
- RCTRandomized controlled trial — a strong human study design
- ClinicalA human clinical study
- Reference knowledgeFrom general health-science or pharmacology references, not a study of this exact claim
- Animal researchStudied in animals, not humans
- Community reportsAggregated user reports — anecdotal signal, not evidence
- TheoreticalMechanism-based reasoning, not yet tested
Study grade — quality of each underlying study (A best, D weakest)
- AHigh-quality — strong, consistent human trials
- BGood — solid evidence with some limitations
- CModerate — limited, small, or mixed-quality studies
- DWeak — preliminary, indirect, or animal-only
Confidence — how strongly the sources back a finding
A 0–100 score from study quality and agreement
Most supplement evidence is graded C–D. Read it as preliminary signal, not proof.
Full write-up
What is it
Bipolar Disorder is a mental health condition. The evidence summarized here concerns whether selected interventions may be relevant to its treatment, including Coenzyme Q10, Omega-3, and Vitamin B9 (Folate). Some findings describe adjunct use alongside standard treatment. These findings do not establish that any intervention treats the condition, and medical conditions warrant discussion with a clinician.
Evidence-backed options
The options associated with Bipolar Disorder have limited support, and the findings do not establish a reliable treatment effect. The evidence includes reviews and clinical findings, with some options studied only in specific contexts rather than across bipolar disorder generally. Omega-3 was considered for adjunct use alongside standard treatment, while folate was examined as a short-term adjunct during acute manic episodes in bipolar I disorder.
Coenzyme Q10 was studied in patients with Bipolar Disorder using 400 mg/d, titrated up by 400 mg/d every 2 weeks up to 1,200 mg/d; the reported finding was a reduction in depression severity. The available information does not specify how quickly this change appeared. For Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine), 80 mg daily for 8 weeks in people experiencing a manic episode with psychotic feature who were also treated daily with lithium was not associated with a significant improvement in mood compared with the control group.
The findings for CBD (Cannabidiol) reported it as ineffective for bipolar disorder. For Melatonin, no well-designed studies on efficacy for sleep and circadian rhythms in bipolar disorder were identified. Overall, the evidence is narrow in population, duration, and outcome, and should not be taken as support for replacing established care. Anyone considering these options for a medical condition should discuss them with a clinician.
What to avoid
Several items are flagged because they may increase mood activation or neurotransmitter activity linked with manic or hypomanic episodes. Acetyl-L-Carnitine (ALCAR) has cholinergic and dopaminergic effects, while Tyrosine may increase catecholamine levels. SAM-e affects monoamine neurotransmitter synthesis, and Tryptophan increases serotonin availability. Saffron Extract also has serotonergic activity. These effects may destabilize mood in susceptible people with Bipolar Disorder.
Stimulant-like or mood-elevating effects are another concern. American Ginseng and Panax Ginseng may promote mania or hypomania, particularly in susceptible people or alongside antidepressant treatment. Tongkat Ali (Eurycoma) may cause restlessness, jitteriness, or insomnia that can contribute to mood activation. Ashwagandha, Rhodiola Rosea, and Maca Root have been associated with mood elevation or manic episodes. Horny Goat Weed (Epimedium) has been linked to hypomania in a multi-ingredient product, although attribution was uncertain. Taurine has also been associated with mania in a case study.
Creatine is flagged because it may exacerbate manic symptoms in susceptible individuals. Inositol may interfere with lithium’s mechanism of action, making its use particularly relevant for people receiving lithium therapy.
The concern is not limited to supplements. Intensive meditation retreats may trigger manic or hypomanic episodes, whereas standard daily practice is generally described as safer but may still require attention to mood stability and psychiatric oversight. Gratitude Journal practices may intensify positive emotion, mood instability, or racing thoughts during hypomanic or manic phases. Because the relevance of these concerns depends on current mood state, treatment, and individual susceptibility, any medical condition or planned use is best discussed with a clinician.