Anxiety and mood disorders are seen in people of all ages. Constantly feeling sad and anxious which disrupts your life may be an anxiety disorder. There are several types of disorders that fall under the umbrella of anxiety. Disorders such as Panic Attacks, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and Social Anxiety Disorder falls under the same. Psychologists and psychiatrists largely use therapy along with medication to resolve this problem. Along with this, a nutrient-rich diet is encouraged.
A study was conducted to see the effects of taking Vitamin B6 on the level of anxiety. The researchers recruited an initial group of 478 participants who had self-reported anxiety and/or depression. They were randomly chosen to receive vitamin B6, vitamin B12, or a placebo.
“The functioning of the brain relies on a delicate balance between the excitatory neurons that carry information around and inhibitory ones, which prevent runaway activity,” says Prof. David Field, lead author of the study. The imbalance between these is linked to anxiety, depression, and schizophrenia.
According to the authors, “Vitamin B6 is involved in several other pathways that are likely to reduce neural excitation.” Vitamin B12 shares two of the same pathways, so the researchers wanted to test it as well to see what effect it would have.
The Verdict
The participants were screened for anxiety and depression before and after the vitamin or placebo regimens using the Screen For Adult Anxiety Related Disorders (SCAARED) and Mood and Feelings Questionnaire (MFQ).
The researchers had the participants complete visual and tactile tests at the end of the trial.
The study results indicated that vitamin B6 can help reduce anxiety and depression symptoms. The B6 participants saw a significant reduction in their SCAARED and MFQ tests compared to the placebo group.
Thus, B6 proved to have a significant effect on anxiety levels, which makes it a useful supplement to be taken alongside treatment. It is also an optimum choice because it is readily available as an over-the-counter medicine
So, even those who are not willing to opt for treatment may benefit from this vitamin. This research has proven to be beneficial for such disorders because the vitamin may be able to decrease anxiety levels and also avoid the side effects of prolonged use of certain medications.
However, we will still suggest you to visit your doctor for a more accurate diagnosis and treatment.