For lithium-ion camera batteries like the Canon LP-E6, regular full discharge is generally not needed. Li-ion batteries usually prefer shallow discharges and recharging before they are completely empty.

Based on the community advice, if the battery pack is multi-celled, an occasional full discharge every couple of months may help the pack’s internal monitoring/balancing circuitry keep its capacity readings accurate. But doing full drain cycles all the time is not recommended as a routine practice.

The bigger factor in battery life is heat: high temperatures shorten Li-ion battery life. If storing batteries for a while, keep them cool and dry, protect the contacts, and let them return to room temperature before use to avoid condensation.

So the practical approach is:

• Use and recharge normally; partial discharges are fine.
• Don’t make full discharge a daily habit.
• If desired, do an occasional full cycle only infrequently.
• Avoid heat during use and storage.