Evidence supporting the use of: Thiamin (vitamin B1)
For the health condition: Nervous Exhaustion

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Synopsis

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

Thiamin (vitamin B1) is essential for energy metabolism and nervous system function. Its use in "nervous exhaustion"—a historical term encompassing symptoms like fatigue, irritability, and mental weariness—has both scientific and traditional roots. Scientifically, thiamin deficiency is well known to cause neurological symptoms, most notably in conditions such as beriberi and Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, where severe deficiency leads to profound neurological and psychiatric disturbances. Thiamin is a cofactor in the metabolism of glucose, which is particularly critical for nervous system function since neurons rely heavily on glucose for energy.

While clinical deficiency states clearly demonstrate the importance of thiamin for nervous system health, there is limited direct evidence that supplemental thiamin benefits individuals with symptoms of "nervous exhaustion" who do not have a deficiency. Several small studies and case reports have observed improvement in mood and cognitive function with thiamin supplementation, especially in populations at risk for deficiency (such as the elderly, those with poor diets, or chronic alcohol users). However, large-scale trials in otherwise healthy individuals with fatigue or "nervous exhaustion" are lacking. Thus, while thiamin is critical for nervous system function and correcting deficiency can reverse related symptoms, evidence supporting its use for general nervous exhaustion in the absence of deficiency is weak, justifying a moderate-low evidence rating.

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