PlainPill

B Vitamins

People mainly take B Vitamins for energy, anxiety, focus. Based on 71 first-hand reports and 107 meta-analyses & systematic reviews in the medical literature. Ranked #286 of 1,974 overall.

35
User score
Mostly positive
27% positive8% mixed7% negative58% unclear

Of reports that state an outcome, 64% are positive.

Clinical research
AStrong research base
107
meta-analyses
248
RCTs
3,452
papers

What B Vitamins does, according to users

Of the people who reported each effect, the share who said it got better.

What the research says

Systematic reviews and meta-analyses from PubMed, with their published conclusions.

AStrong research base

3+ meta-analyses or systematic reviews and 10+ randomized controlled trials in humans. The grade measures how much human research exists — read the conclusions below for what it found.

Eur J Neurol · 2021 · Meta-analysis / systematic review
Association between neuropathy and B-vitamins: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Conclusion: PN is associated with lowered plasma vitamin B12 and elevated methylmalonic acid and homocysteine. Overall, interventional studies have suggested that B-vitamins could improve symptoms of PN. Available trials have limitations and generally did not investigate vitamin status prior to treatment. Well-designed studies, especially in non-diabetes PN, are needed. This meta-analysis is registered at PROSPERO (ID: CRD42020144917).

PubMed 33619867 ↗
Nutr Rev · 2022 · Meta-analysis / systematic review
B vitamins and prevention of cognitive decline and incident dementia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Conclusion: This meta-analysis suggests that B vitamin supplementation is associated with slowing of cognitive decline, especially in populations who received early intervention and intervention of long duration; the study also indicates that higher intake of dietary folate, but not B12 or B6, is associated with a reduced risk of incident dementia in non-dementia aged population. Given the prevalence of dementia cases in many countries with aging populations, public health policies should be introduced to ensure that subgroups of the population at risk have an adequate B vitamin status.

PubMed 34432056 ↗
Arch Gynecol Obstet · 2024 · Meta-analysis / systematic review
A systematic review on the impact of nutrition and possible supplementation on the deficiency of vitamin complexes, iron, omega-3-fatty acids, and lycopene in relation to increased morbidity in women after menopause

Conclusion: In conclusion, maintaining optimum serum levels of nutrients and vitamins, either through a balanced and healthy diet consuming fresh fruits, vegetables, and fats or by taking appropriate supplementation, is essential in maintaining optimal health-related quality of life and reducing the risk for women during the menopausal transition and after menopause. Nevertheless, more recent studies need to be assessed to formulate adequate recommendations to achieve positive clinical outcomes.

PubMed 38935105 ↗
Nutrients · 2019 · Meta-analysis / systematic review
A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of B Vitamin Supplementation on Depressive Symptoms, Anxiety, and Stress: Effects on Healthy and 'At-Risk' Individuals

Conclusion: The review provides evidence for the benefit of B vitamin supplementation in healthy and at-risk populations for stress, but not for depressive symptoms or anxiety. B vitamin supplementation may particularly benefit populations who are at risk due to (1) poor nutrient status or (2) poor mood status.

PubMed 31527485 ↗

Dosage people report

As stated by users — not a recommendation. Follow the label or your doctor.

dailyas reported
before bed and morning afteras reported
high amounts (unspecified)as reported
1000 ugdaily
45-30 mins before liftingas reported
AMas reported

Reported side effects

How often each side effect came up across all reports.

anxiety ×3jitteriness ×1overmethylation ×1keep awake ×1b6 toxicity ×1headache ×1nausea ×1deja vu ×1

What users say

Verbatim quotes, shortened only — each links to the original discussion.

“B6 (P5P), B2 and B12 are all important for nerve health.”
Source discussion ↗
“i believe k2, B vitamins, and amino acids L carnitine and glutamine made a difference in my skin.”
Source discussion ↗
“a thyroid supplement and some b vitamins”
Source discussion ↗
“I take Tyrosine, B Vitamins, general, fish oil, probiotics and a few other things.”
Source discussion ↗
“something like l-tyrosine and b vitamins to help encourage dopamine and norepinephrine production”
Source discussion ↗
Top discussions (5)

Other options for energy

User data from public discussions; research from PubMed. Information only, not medical advice — talk to a doctor before starting, stopping or combining anything. Data updated October 2, 2026. How we rate