RecruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

The Effects of High-dose Vitamin B6 on Depression and Anxiety Symptoms

This research is investigating if taking a high-dose Vitamin B6 supplement can help people who are experiencing anxiety and depression. The study aims to understand how Vitamin B6 might affect brain activity, specifically if it helps to calm the brain. They will compare participants taking Vitamin B6 with a group taking a dummy pill (placebo). Researchers are also interested in whether Vitamin B6 can directly reduce anxiety and depression symptoms, and if people with lower natural levels of B6 respond better. There's even a small question about whether it might improve hand grip strength, based on earlier findings. The study is for people aged 18 to 41 who have mild to moderate anxiety or depression.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

University of Reading

Enrolment target

Start

01 May 2026

Estimated completion

01 Nov 2026

Neural Inhibition Anxiety Depression

What is this study about?

This study is designed to explore how Vitamin B6 might influence your brain and mood. Many people experience feelings of anxiety and depression, and researchers are always looking for new ways to understand and help manage these conditions. This particular study focuses on Vitamin B6 because it's known to play a role in brain health, and there's a theory that it might help balance brain activity in a way that reduces feelings of anxiousness or low mood.

The main idea is to see if a high dose of Vitamin B6 can help adjust the 'balance' in your brain towards a more settled state. Imagine your brain having a natural buzz – sometimes it might be a bit too excited, and Vitamin B6 might help to calm that down. We'll measure this using a special technique called an electroencephalogram (EEG), which painlessly records brainwave activity through sensors placed on your scalp. We also want to know if, alongside any changes in brain activity, people actually feel better in their day-to-day lives.

Beyond just brain activity and mood, we're also curious if your natural Vitamin B6 levels make a difference. If you have less B6 to start with, might you see a bigger improvement? And in a slightly different area, we're also checking hand grip strength. This might seem a bit unusual, but previous research has hinted that Vitamin B6 could have a role in muscle function, so we're exploring that connection too. All these insights help doctors and scientists better understand how vitamins can affect our brain and body health.

Key takeaways

Researches if high-dose Vitamin B6 can help anxiety and depression symptoms.
Aims to understand how B6 affects brain activity.
Compares B6 to a dummy pill (placebo).
For adults aged 18-41 with mild to moderate anxiety/depression.
Involves questionnaires, blood tests, and EEG brain scans.
Participation could help future understanding of mental health.

Who may be eligible?

To join this study, you need to be an adult between 18 and 41 years old. It's for people who are currently experiencing mild to moderate levels of anxiety and/or depression. You'll also need to have normal eyesight, or wear glasses or contact lenses that correct your vision to normal.

There are a few reasons you might not be able to take part. For example, you shouldn't be currently taking a daily vitamin supplement that has more than 2mg of Vitamin B6 in it. Also, if you're pregnant, have a history of epilepsy, nerve damage (peripheral neuropathy), or certain types of brain injury, this study wouldn't be suitable for you. We also need to check that you're not taking certain medications or antibiotics, as these could affect the study results.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you between 18 and 41 years old?
Do you currently experience mild to moderate anxiety or depression?
Do you NOT take any daily supplement with more than 2mg of Vitamin B6?
Are you NOT pregnant and do NOT have a history of epilepsy or serious head injury?
Are you NOT taking certain medications as advised by the research team?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part, you would be asked to attend a few clinic visits where we would explain everything in more detail and carry out some assessments. These would include filling out questionnaires about your mood and undergoing an EEG, which uses sensors on your scalp to measure brain activity. We would also take a blood sample to check your current Vitamin B6 levels. You would be given either a high-dose Vitamin B6 supplement or a dummy pill (placebo) to take daily for a period. Throughout the study, you would continue to complete questionnaires to track any changes in your symptoms. The exact number of visits, tests, and the total duration would be fully explained to you before you commit, but typically these types of studies involve several clinic visits over a few weeks or months.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this study could offer several potential benefits. While we can't guarantee any specific outcome, you might find that the Vitamin B6 supplement helps improve your symptoms of anxiety and depression. Even if you receive the placebo, you'll be contributing to important scientific research that could help many people in the future. As with any study, there are some potential risks. High doses of certain vitamins can sometimes cause side effects, though Vitamin B6 is generally considered safe. Any potential side effects would be closely monitored. You will be given a complete list of possible side effects before you agree to take part, and you are free to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your medical care.

Locations (1)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

Harry Pitt Building
Verified postcode
Reading, United Kingdom· Recruiting

Common questions

What is Vitamin B6 and why is it important?

Vitamin B6 is a nutrient found in food that's important for many body functions, especially for your brain and nerves. It helps your body make chemicals that affect your mood.

What is a placebo?

A placebo is a 'dummy pill' that looks exactly like the real supplement but contains no active ingredients. It helps researchers compare how well the actual supplement works.

What is an EEG and will it hurt?

An EEG (electroencephalogram) is a simple, painless test that measures the electrical activity in your brain. Small sensors are placed on your scalp, and it's completely safe.

Will I know if I'm taking Vitamin B6 or the placebo?

No, to ensure fair results, neither you nor the research team will know who is getting the active supplement and who is getting the placebo until the study is over. This is called 'blinding'.

How long will I need to take the supplements for?

The exact duration will be explained during your initial visit, but typically these studies involve taking the supplement daily for several weeks or a few months.

How to find out more

Alex Cameron

a.cameron@pgr.reading.ac.uk 0118 378 6803 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.