Take vitamin B6 to feel better? In any case, this is what a recent study reveals. In the UK, researchers at the University of Reading measured the impact of high doses of vitamin B6 on young adults. They found that they felt less anxious and depressed after taking the supplements every day for a month. These findings (source 1) were published in the journal Human Psychopharmacology: Clinical and Experimental.
“The functioning of the brain depends on a delicate balance between excitatory neurons, which carry information, and inhibitory neurons, which prevent runaway,” said Dr. David Field, lead author from the School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences at the University of Reading.
A calming effect
This new study analyzed the potential role of vitamin B6, known to increase the body’s production of GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid). “Vitamin B6 helps the body produce a specific chemical messenger that inhibits impulses in the brain, and our study links this calming effect to reduced anxiety in participants,” Dr. David Field detailed.
During this study, more than 300 participants were randomly given vitamin B6 or B12 supplements well above the recommended daily allowance or a placebo. Elevated GABA levels in participants who took vitamin B6 supplements were confirmed by visual tests. “Many foods, including tuna, chickpeas and many fruits and vegetables, contain vitamin B6. However, the high doses used in this trial suggest that supplements would be needed to have a positive effect on mood,” says Dr. Field.
