Used primarily in the treatment of bipolar disorder as a mood stabilizer, helping to reduce the severity and frequency of manic episodes. It is also employed in the management of recurrent depression when other treatments are ineffective. In industry, it serves as a precursor in the production of lithium-ion battery materials, especially cathode compounds like lithium cobalt oxide. It is used in the manufacturing of specialty glasses and ceramics, where it lowers melting temperatures and improves thermal shock resistance. Additionally, lithium carbonate finds use in aluminum production to reduce energy consumption and emissions in smelting processes.