I am wondering if B Complex vitamins can cause someone with anxiety and panic disorders to actually get increased symptoms from this? Along with having the anxiety disorders, I am also B12 deficient, so I take a B12 Vitamin every day. I found a new B12 that I wanted to try, but it also has Super B Complex in it. I took it for 4 days and my anxiety and panic levels shot through the roof, and made me have heart palpitations. This did not happen to me when I took the Vitamin B12 alone. I'm wondering if this has anything to do with adding in the B Complex since it didn't start until I added that in? I have not taken the vitamins for 2 days now, and it seems to be getting a little better, but how long will it take for the jitters and stuff to go away now? It feels like my anxiety med is not even working right now, that's how bad it is!
Can Super B Complex cause increased anxiety and panic attacks?
- Asked
- 21 Jan 2014 by Foxxii
- Updated
- 20 December 2018 (5 weeks ago)
- Topics
- vitamins, anxiety, panic disorder, multivitamin, disorder, symptom
Added 22 Jan 2014:
Just wanted to update quick: As I was searching for the answer to this question on the web last night, I came across this post by someone and copied it. Hopefully it will help some other "unsuspecting" person that suffers from anxiety disorders, that thinks "Oh, it's just a vitamin, it can't hurt."
"Certain vitamins such as B-complex are stimulatory and will cause anxiety and even panic attacks in some people. Minerals such as copper, manganese and others are also stimulatory. Certain herbs such as ginseng and eluthero are also somewhat stimulatory and can cause anxiety. Be careful with supplements, as they are not all benign."
Responses (46)
Vitamin B reduces stress. However, Vitamin B3 (Niacin) in the B complex may cause some anxiety. Its always best to take time release niacin.
I recently started taking a B complex and noticed it helped my energy level. So for someone who has anxiety I think it may increase it just due to feeling "wired". I find that taking it with a full meal help with the shakiness. Also taking it with lunch instead if dinner helps so I am not so hyper at night and I sleep better. Just my theory.
It's possible that the vitamins are a stimulant to your body. And yes stimulants can cause or make your anxiety worse. Did a DR tell you to take this?
B12 is essential and not made in the body. Vegetarians need the supplement or they can't make needed proteins for the body. B12 is made in animals we eat. Hence vegetarians for people who restrict their protein, become ill if not careful. Most people get enough vitamins in a well balanced diet. When we are ill we eat poorly and may need a boost. I do find that either the complex or the B12 works for me. I have a problem making sufficient protein and the extra vitamins, but not too much, helps me stay healthier. If there is a boost in energy I sure would love to get it. I was told by my doctor as well to take B12.
The vitamin B pills gave me severe panic attacks. The multivitamin liquid Geritol worked just right for me.
Cool. How much of the vitamin is in this old fashioned vitamin?
I HAVE experienced EXACTLY this, or think I have. Twice now, a year apart, I started taking a broad spectrum high-potency B-complex on my doctor's advice, due to an apparent mild deficiency (I don't eat meat or cheese but I eat fish and yogurt). Both times, several days after starting the complex (and this last time after only two pills), I experienced ACUTE anxiety in the middle of the night, like nothing I've ever had before (and I've had some anxiety disorders but this was a whole new level). I thought I was going to die - I got up, woke my wife, wandered around, got dressed to go to the hospital, this went on for an hour, and all I could say out loud was just repeating that I didn't feel well at ALL - this most recent time was last night - this was scary to the point that I fear going to sleep tonight. Naturally I stopped taking the vitamins.
Hi there
I needed to respond to this.
I have been off work this week with panic attacks, mental fogging, palpitations, nausea and anxiety.
I have been trawling the net to see why I could have had an acute case of this, but I was feeling despair.
I suddenly thought to ask Google if there was any harmful effects of taking long term vitamin b complex tablets, and it said ALL of the above symptoms!!
I am feeling quite euphoric at the moment, and I am convinced that I have a toxic reaction to these. . .it is just not like anything I have EVER experienced before, and I seriously thought I was extremal Ill. . .or starting with dementia or similar!
I have just phoned my doctor who I saw 3 days ago. . I have left message for him to call back to discuss if this could be the case.
in any case, I am stopping my vit b with immediate effect!
I am convinced.
Vicki- thank you for your post! I've been having such high anxiety while taking b-12 shots and a 5000 B-12 (5000) mg.quick dissolve tablet. As of today, I. Not taking the tablets, I will let my doctor know..
I don't feel so alone right now.
Have a great day!
This same exact thing happened to me when taking B-complex or even just vitamin B12 on its own. I was once at the grocery store after taking it and I had a full blown panic attack with severe anxiety. I normally don't even have anxiety at all and this was the only thing I took so I knew it was that. I tested it a few other times and also got anxiety so I know it's from the vitamin. I have since researched this online and have read that some people do react like this to vitamin B12. I also have a friend that told me the same happened to him. I don't eat meat, but I do eat fish/seafood, dairy and eggs... however, I don't eat those things on a daily basis so I am not sure if I get enough B12 from them. The only solutions I have found so far is to drink fortified plant milks, eat cereals fortified with vitamins and also a protein shake that has vitamins in it (the brand I take is called Spirutein).
I am so glad someone posted about vitamin b complex giving anxiety. This week I bought vitamin b complex and magnesium thinking it would help my anxiety and that night my anxiety shot through the roof. My anxiety went from mild to bad! I paced the floor that night. I wondered if the vitamins caused it but wasn't sure until I came across this post. I see it bothers alot of people by the posts here. I won't take this ever again!
I have had several issues with anxiety in the past... found that i was really deficient in magnesium potassium by doing a hair sample test... doctors wanted to give me a pill..dont like medicine started giving my body magnesium and potassium. Anxiety shot thru the roof... doubled the dose and it calmed me... i have found that wen your body really needs something and u take wat it needs your body goes crazy trying to get more of it..after ups and downs my system leveled out and stayed level..your body will tell u wat it needs... u may need more temporarily untill your body feels like its getting enough if the doctors test says u need it..but one should always know before assuming if your body needs it..
I was in such a panic attack after drinking 2 bottles of ice sparkling water which contains 4 different B-vitamins and had taken my multivitamin as well, I went on line and read up on all your articles, now I have a better understanding of what not to do, thank you all for your information, opie1
I had same experience. I stopped B complex for 1 day so far, but anxiety persists. Did you finally get anxiety under control after taking vitamins?
i do suffer from anxiety symptoms , a couple of years ago i was taking B complex and also a multi vit (effervescent) and was prescribed nasonex for seasonal rhinitis, one afternoon i had an experience that was different to any id had before, almost hallucinating like, everything seemed surreal and bright and my anxiety was through the roof.
i checked the multivit and it contained guarana (stimulant energy boost) i stopped taking all three.
research on the net showed all three products i was using can cause anxiety/panic.
last year i used nasonex again , all day panic feelings , i stopped using it and found , online , that many people even without anxiety symptoms, suffered panic when using this product.
i think that anyone with anxiety should be very careful what they use as it seems we are sensitive to even seemingly small doses of stimulant.
Yes! It does. I took this for 2 months and had severe anxiety. I'll get right to the point though. It took 3 days before I felt normal again. Just stop taking it and in 3 days you'll feel better. Obviously I'm writing this for future readers as the question is a year or more old. This stupid drug needs a warning label on it.
Absolutely can..anything that affects metabolism can cause anxiety or nervousness especially if it increases circulation... which niacin is known for..u can try eating with b complex... really all depends on wats in your system already... how your metabolism was working before u started taking b complex is usually where your issue stems from... b complex is flushed out of your system regularly... and is water soluable... so continues to flush... it only changes Metabolism... anxiety is due to metabolism issues everyone has them some peoples r worse than others...
This is happening to me now.. Know this post is old but this makes me feel so much better. I have been having this constant anxiety/panic for over a week. I just noticed yesterday i was taking to many vitamins with b complex in it, including super b complex capsules, and sublingual drops. Then i just noticed my mulit- vitamin has ginseng in it!! So as of today im not taking any more and I pray that by day 3 i will feel way better!!!
Have been taking 5mg B12 tablets daily, and had become anxious quite a bit. Hawthorne & lime flower tea will remedy this on the whole.
I have been on a supplement for about three weeks now and both the morning and evening pack contain (what I think is) a pretty high amount of B vitamins:
(2 pills a day) Vitamin B-6 as pyridoxine HCL/pyridoxal-5-fosfate
25 mg 1250%DV
(2 pills a day) Vitamin B-12 on ion exchange resin
25 mcg 417% DV
(2 pills a day) Pantothenic Acid (vitamin B5) as d-calcium pantothenate
125 mg 1250% DV
(2 pills a day) Thiamine (Vitamin B-1) as thiamin HCL
25 mg 1667% DV
(2 pills a day) Riboflavin (Vitamin B-2)
13 mg 765% DV
I had a panic attack two nights ago that was the worst I've had in about 18 years. My anxiety has been high over the past week or so.
Does anyone think there might be a connection? I'm on an anti-dep for anxiety/depression and it's been pretty well controlled. I've started having more panic attacks in the past two years, but my anxiety has been up since I've started taking these supplments.
Could there be a connection?
I've stopped taking the supplements.
i read on another site that someone who has anxiety /panic for decades has been more or less cured by taking D3 FLAXSEED OIL AND MAGNESIUM chelate (important its chelate). Google that and im sure you will find the site ... anyway, i started taking 3 1200 strength omega 3 fish oil (same as flaxseedoil) 4-5 1000mg vitamin d3 and 3 magnesium chelate a day after a week i felt a fair bit better and now (two weeks ) can tell the difference... it seems anxiety is often exacerbated (as we all have and need it due to fight /flight response) by lack of vitamins... but as i posted above b complex ( with nasonex and guarana ,or whatever it was) sent my anxiety through the roof... keep googling, try vitamins and ask doctor for tests on vitamin deficiencys... also magnesium seems to help with energy levels and fatigue but also aids sleep... also google nasonex and anxiety theres a site where nasonex users have posted their findings ... its frightening what we put in our bodies... good luck ... hang in there, we are not nuts, just always ready to run when the dinosaur comes to eat us...
type in vitamin d3 cured my anxiety , im sure it will come up and type in nasonex anxiety and a site called ask patient will have the thread on ... i know you probably dont use nasonex but it just shows how seemingly innocent meds can trigger the fear
Just realized this is an older question but oh my gosh I'm really happy I stumbled across it! I've been detoxing from my Ativan and started gabapentin a month or two ago and was upping the dose feeling fine but my agoraphobia went through the roof a few weeks ago. Not until I read this did I even think about my b12... I take vitamin d due to a deficieny but my general care doc had said to also take b12 because most people feel better at higher levels. Well I've been bad about remembering but a few weeks ago I told myself to try harder and have been taking it regularly. I'm dying to know if this is related. I'll stop immediately which would be tomorrow and hope my anxiety goes down after a few days. Thanks to all for your input!
I'm still perplexed... I have no idea if this is what kicked off my anxiety and panic, but it's been helpful to read others' responses.
I'm going to give it a few days and hope for even a slight reduction. I hope you notice a change too.
In my opinion, everyone reacts to drugs, supplements, and any else over the counter. Especially when combining a cocktail of various things. Currently, I have a multi diagnoses and currently work all night shift hours, most of which are 10 hrs long. I have Severe anxiety as well as ADHD/ADD and have lots of trouble focusing and all around being able to do my job proficiently. I already take a heavy dose of a new mood stabilizer, a fairly high dose of an amphetamine for focus and alertness, and up to 2mg of xanax a day as needed. I chose to begin taking the "Balanced B-100" vitamins for energy, metabolism, heart, brain, and nervous system support. I take them only when I really need the extra boost. There have been occasions when my anxiety got a little out of control and I had to take a xanax or two but after that I would always be fine. It mostly happens when a lot of people come in to work. That is one of my triggers tho.
I've had panic disorder for almost 20 years. One of my first panic attacks came after I was taking Centrum Vitamins. Recently my bloodwork said I was B12 deficient so I bought B12 100mcg. Both times I took it I got the shakes. After reading this, I'm pretty sure my body just can't handle the B12.
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My doc told me that I could take the B12 pills instead of doing the shots due to my deficiency, but I didn't think that adding the B complex in would hurt any. BOY WAS I WRONG! I am literally in the middle of a panic attack while typing this. This is bad... NEVER again, that's all I can say!
I sure hope your anxiety and You feel much better soon... DD
Thank you Dumpster Diver. I am feeling a little better today, as of right now anyway. :)
I recently had b12 shot experiencing insomnia panic anxiety high heart rate since no drs have any advice. Usually I am relaxed and sleep plenty. Any suggestions how to flush out or counteract it? Also the dr said May last for a month I really hope that's not true. Anyone have an issue with vitb12 shot and know how long it takes to wear off?