Synopsis

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

Vitamin B6 (pyridoxal) is supported by limited scientific evidence for its use in treating or supporting anxiety. Vitamin B6 is a water-soluble vitamin involved in numerous enzymatic reactions, particularly in the synthesis of neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine, and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), all of which play roles in mood regulation. Some small clinical studies and observational research have suggested that low levels of vitamin B6 may be associated with increased symptoms of anxiety and depression. For example, a 2022 randomized controlled trial published in "Human Psychopharmacology" found that high-dose vitamin B6 supplementation (100 mg daily) over one month reduced self-reported anxiety in young adults compared to placebo, possibly by increasing GABAergic inhibitory neural influence. However, such studies are relatively few, often have small sample sizes, and sometimes use doses much higher than the recommended dietary allowance. Overall, while there is a plausible biochemical mechanism and some emerging clinical data, the body of evidence is currently limited, inconsistent, and not robust enough to make strong clinical recommendations. Major medical organizations do not currently endorse vitamin B6 supplementation as a primary treatment for anxiety. Therefore, the evidence for vitamin B6 as an anxiety treatment is rated low (2/5), reflecting preliminary scientific validation but insufficient high-quality evidence.

More about Vitamin B6 (pyridoxal)
More about Anxiety

Other ingredients used for Anxiety

Other health conditions supported by Vitamin B6 (pyridoxal)

Products containing Vitamin B6 (pyridoxal)