I have been feeling better since giving up carbs altogether about a month ago. The top reason I did this was because although I didn't have drug/alcohol abuse problems, I have long had disordered eating that predates my BP1 diagnosis that I believe was self-medicating. I still find things to overeat (hello, 90% dark chocolate), but I find my brain is much quieter and I feel calmer and my moods are shorter- haven't decided yet why that is. If it's all just placebo effect, I say so be it. It's a nice placebo effect.

There are more scientific studies on how things like this (low carb or no gluten) help schizophrenics and epileptics. I'm naively surprised there's not more for people with bipolar since weight gain is common with almost all medications that treat bipolar...