Evidence supporting the use of: Vitamin B6 (pyridoxal 5 phosphate)
For the health condition: Anxiety
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2
Vitamin B6 (pyridoxal 5'-phosphate, the active form of B6) has some scientific rationale and emerging, but still limited, evidence for its use in supporting or treating anxiety. Vitamin B6 is a cofactor in the synthesis of several neurotransmitters, including serotonin, dopamine, and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)—all of which play important roles in mood regulation and anxiety. Deficiency in B6 has been associated with neuropsychiatric symptoms, including irritability and anxiety, in observational studies.
A small number of clinical studies have examined B6 supplementation in the context of anxiety. Notably, a 2022 randomized controlled trial published in "Human Psychopharmacology" found that high-dose B6 supplementation (100 mg/day for one month) led to a statistically significant reduction in self-reported anxiety symptoms compared to placebo, though the effect size was modest and the study had several limitations, including reliance on subjective outcome measures and a relatively small sample size. Other studies have explored B6 in combination with magnesium or as part of B-vitamin complexes, but isolating the effect of B6 alone is challenging in these cases.
Overall, while there is plausible biological reasoning and some preliminary clinical evidence, the quality and quantity of research supporting B6 for anxiety is limited. Thus, the evidence is rated as 2 out of 5—insufficient for strong clinical recommendations, but suggestive enough to warrant further investigation.
More about Vitamin B6 (pyridoxal 5 phosphate)
More about Anxiety
Other ingredients used for Anxiety
5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)alpha-pinene
amino acids
ashwagandha
waterhyssop
basil
benegut perilla (proprietary)
bergamot
beta caryophyllene
bifidobacterium bifidum
bifidobacterium infantis
bifidobacterium lactis
bifidobacterium longum
black cumin
bupleurum falcatum
California poppy
cannabis sativa oil
chamomile
Chinese salvia root
citrus oil
clove
cordyceps
curcumin
damiana
DHA (docosahexaeonic acid)
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
fennel
gardenia
ginkgo biloba
ginseng
gotu kola
greek mountain tea
green tea
guayusa
hemp oil
hops
Indian tinospora
inositol
jujube
kava root
kudzu
l-glycine
l-theanine
l-tryptophan
lactium casein decapeptide
lactobacillus brevis
lactobacillus fermentum
lactobacillus gasseri
lactobacillus helveticus
lactobacillus paracasei
lactiplantibacillus plantarum
lactobacillus reuteri
lactobacillus rhamnosus
lactobacillus salivarius
lavender
lion's mane
lithium orotate
maca
magnesium
magnolia
matcha
melatonin
mint
motherwort
muira puama
n-acetyl-cysteine (NAC)
omega-3 fatty acids
passionflower
phellodendron amurense
phosphatidylserine
phytocannabinoids
polygala root
prebiotic blend (proprietary)
pregnenolone
pyridoxal-5-phosphate (P-5-P)
reishi mushroom
relora® (proprietary)
rhizome
rhodiola
rose oil
rosemary
saffron
sage
SAMe (s-adenosyl-l-methionine disulfate p-toluensulfate)
sceletium
skullcap
spearmint leaf
sphaeranthus indicus
thyme
valerian root
velvet bean
vitamin B
vitamin B12
vitamin B6
vitamin C
zinc
squawvine
catnip
gastrodia
cardamom
shen-chu
mugwort
anise
tinospora cordifolia
blackboard tree
peony
lingzhi
lemongrass
kanna
silk tree
chrysanthemum
ganoderma
sweet flag
oriental arborvitae
menthol oil
St. John's Wort
wood betony
hypothalamus
herbal blend (proprietary)
indigo leaves
cocoa
soursop
geranium
7,8-Dihydroxyflavone
Ash
Agastache
Alpha-terpineol
Ardisia
Agrimony
Apigenin
Anamu
Albizia
Aconite
Agmatine
Agarwood
Anemone
Alpha lactalbumin
Asteracea
Aniracetam
Amor seco
Betony
Black Seed
Bifidobacterium
Baikal Skullcap
Bifidobacterium adolescentis
Balsam
Bayleaf
Bacopin
Baicalein
Brahmi
Bacopa
Bee products
Bombax
Bacteria
Bifidobacteria
Bupleurum
bacoside
Baicalin
Borneol
Camellia sinensis
Centella triterpenes
Caryophyllene
Common Monkey Flower
Cinnamomum
Clary sage
Capillary Artemisia
Citron
Chinese Raisintree
Cymbopogon Martini
Calea zacatechichi
Centella asiatica
Capitate Valerian
Curcuma
Catuaba
Cowslip
Cannabidiol
Calamus
Clostridium butyricum
Convolvulus prostratus
Convolvulus Pluricaulis
Clerodendrum indicum
Canscora
Cannabigerol
Dodeca-2E, 4E-Dienoic Acid Isobutylamide
Dragonhead
Erythrina
Essential Oil Blend
Eugenol
Glycine
jasmine
Lotus
Mimosa
Poppy
Rose
Spikenard
Sandalwood
Sweet Orange alcohol
Vervain
yohimbine
Other health conditions supported by Vitamin B6 (pyridoxal 5 phosphate)
AnemiaAnxiety
Autism
Depression
Diabetes
Emotional Sensitivity
Memory and Brain Function
Migraine
Nerve Damage
Nervous Exhaustion
Nervousness
Neuralgia and Neuritis
Peripheral Neuropathy
PMS (general)
PMS Type A
PMS Type C
PMS Type D
PMS Type H
PMS Type P
PMS Type S
Pregnancy (herbs and supplements for)
Seizures
Sleep (restless and disturbed)
Stress
Worry