Evidence supporting the use of: Vitamin B12
For the health condition: Anxiety

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) has a modest scientific basis for use in supporting mental health, including anxiety, but it is not a primary or direct treatment for anxiety disorders. B12 is essential for neurological function, DNA synthesis, and the production of neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine, which are involved in mood regulation. Deficiency in vitamin B12 can lead to neurological symptoms, including cognitive disturbances, mood changes, and in some cases, increased anxiety or depressive symptoms. Some observational studies have found associations between low B12 levels and higher prevalence of mood and anxiety disorders, particularly in older adults and vegetarians who are at higher risk for deficiency.

However, well-controlled clinical trials directly investigating B12 supplementation as a treatment for anxiety in non-deficient individuals are lacking. The available evidence suggests that correcting a deficiency can improve mood and reduce anxiety-like symptoms, but supplementation in those with normal levels does not appear to have anxiolytic effects. Therefore, the role of B12 in anxiety management is primarily as a supportive measure in cases where deficiency is present, rather than as a general remedy for anxiety. Clinical guidelines recommend screening for B12 deficiency when neuropsychiatric symptoms are unexplained. In summary, B12 is scientifically justified in select cases of anxiety related to deficiency, but not as a universal treatment for anxiety.

More about vitamin B12
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7,8-Dihydroxyflavone
Aconite
Agarwood
Agastache
Agmatine
Agrimony
Albizia
Alpha lactalbumin
alpha-pinene
alpha-terpineol
amino acids
Amor seco
anamu
Anemone
aniracetam
anise
apigenin
Ardisia
ash
ashwagandha
Asteraceae
Bacopa
Bacopin
bacoside
bacteria
baicalein
baicalin
Baikal Skullcap
balsam
basil
bayleaf
bee products
benegut perilla (proprietary)
bergamot
beta caryophyllene
betony
Bifidobacteria
Bifidobacterium
Bifidobacterium adolescentis
Bifidobacterium bifidum
Bifidobacterium infantis
Bifidobacterium lactis
Bifidobacterium longum
black cumin
black seed
blackboard tree
Bombax
borneol
brahmi
Bupleurum
bupleurum falcatum
calamus
Calea zacatechichi
California poppy
Camellia sinensis
cannabidiol
cannabigerol
Cannabis sativa oil
Canscora
capillary artemisia
Capitate Valerian
cardamom
caryophyllene
catnip
catuaba
Centella asiatica
Centella triterpenes
chamomile
Chinese raisintree
Chinese salvia root
chrysanthemum
Cinnamomum
citron
Clary sage
Clerodendrum indicum
Clostridium butyricum
clove
cocoa
Convolvulus pluricaulis
Convolvulus prostratus
cordyceps
cowslip
Curcuma
curcumin
Cymbopogon martini
damiana
DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)
dodeca-2E, 4E-dienoic acid isobutylamide
dragonhead
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
Erythrina
essential oil blend
eugenol
fatty acids
fennel
Ficus religiosa
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fungus
ganoderma
gardenia
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gastrodin
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geranium
ginkgo biloba
ginseng
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guayusa
heal-all
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hyperforin
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Hyperoside
Ilex
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inositol
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Jatamansi
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jujubosides
kanna
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Kefir
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Lactobacillus paracasei
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Lactucarium
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lavender
lemon balm
lemongrass
ligustilides
limonene
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lingzhi
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Litsea
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lotus
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Lycopodium
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Nymphaea nouchali
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oolong tea
oriental arborvitae
Oroxylum indicum
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Oxindole alkaloids
paeoniflorin
passionflower
Passionfruit
Patchouli oil
peony
Petiveria
Phellodendron
phellodendron amurense
Phenylpropanoids
phosphatidylserine
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