Evidence supporting the use of: Thiamin
For the health condition: Mental Illness

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3

Thiamin (vitamin B1) has a scientifically validated role in certain mental health conditions, particularly those linked to thiamin deficiency. The most well-established connection is with Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, a neuropsychiatric disorder most commonly seen in chronic alcoholism but also in other conditions leading to severe thiamin deficiency. Wernicke’s encephalopathy presents with confusion, ataxia, and ophthalmoplegia; if untreated, it can progress to Korsakoff’s psychosis, characterized by profound memory impairment and confabulation. Thiamin supplementation is the primary treatment and can reverse or prevent progression if administered promptly. Beyond deficiency states, some research has explored thiamin’s possible roles in mood disorders, cognitive function, and even schizophrenia. However, the evidence is limited: most studies are small, observational, or have methodological flaws. While low thiamin status has been correlated with depression and cognitive decline in elderly populations, causality is not established, and supplementation does not consistently result in clinical improvement in non-deficient individuals. In summary, thiamin’s use in mental illness is scientifically justified in the context of deficiency-related neuropsychiatric syndromes, but broader applications in mental health lack strong evidence. Routine supplementation for mental illness without documented thiamin deficiency is not currently supported by robust clinical trials.

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Products containing Thiamin

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