PlainPill

Thiamine vs Vitamin B Complex for energy

Short answer: For energy, more users report improvement with Thiamine — 100% of 14 reports, versus 82% of 33 for Vitamin B Complex.

Thiamine has 116 meta-analyses and 155 randomized trials on PubMed; Vitamin B Complex has 237 and 64.

Based on 81 reports about Thiamine and 212 about Vitamin B Complex. Not medical advice.

Thiamine
Supplement
Vitamin B Complex
Supplement
Users say it helped88%helped20 reports · medium confidence60%helped53 reports · medium confidence
Verdict
Mostly positive
Mostly positive
ResearchAResearch: StrongAResearch: Strong
Meta-analyses / RCTs116 / 155237 / 64
Mainly used for
Energy
% reporting improvement
100% (14)82% (33)
Mood
% reporting improvement
100% (4)69% (13)
Anxiety
% reporting improvement
100% (4)62% (8)
Focus
% reporting improvement
100% (3)83% (6)
Common side effectsparanoia, fatiguebrain fog, nerve issues, derealization, tingling and
Typical dose reported250-400 mg / daily1 capsule / every 4 hours, 4 times a day
Thiamine
Latest review conclusion

At present, it is unclear what the pathogenetic mechanisms for the development of neuropathy amongst those who chronically abuse alcohol are, and therefore, it is unknown whether it is attributed to the direct toxic effects of ethanol or another currently unidentified factor. There is presently sparse data to support a particular management strategy in alcohol-related peripheral neuropathy, but the limited data available appears to support the use of vitamin supplementation, particularly of B-vitamin regimens inclusive of thiamine.

J Neurol, 2019 ↗
What a user said
“I'll take a little extra (esp of b1) and physically feel calmer within the hour.”
Full Thiamine profile →
Vitamin B Complex
Latest review 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.

Nutr Rev, 2022 ↗
What a user said
“I also started taking B complex vitamin with the vitamin D. My energy and mood has been exceptional because of vitamin B supplement.”
Full Vitamin B Complex profile →

Related comparisons

Percentages come from first-hand user reports and are not clinical outcomes. Talk to a doctor before starting, stopping or combining anything. How we rate