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?
Question posted by Foxxii on 21 Jan 2014
Last updated on 5 December 2022 (9 weeks ago) by Jruerph1
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."
88 Answers
I'm a pharmacist and had this happen to me taking a Super B complex once daily for 3 months. Prior I had never had an panic or anxiety attack. It took me about a week to return to baseline BUT be aware that certain stimulant foods can push over the edge into another panic/anxiety attack for several months after returning to baseline. Personally I found caffeine is to be avoided. Dark chocolates (caffeine and theobromine), meat based broths/soups (tyramine) and aged cheeses (tyramine and histamine) have been food culprits that have potentiated me having an attack despite stopping the b vitamins. It may take a couple months for the excess b12 to be eliminated below the threshold causing hypersensitivity to stimulants. Maintaining daily hydration with 1-2L of water daily will help dilute the vitamin concentration and flush them out your system.
Based on my personal experience while going through this detoxification you should avoid foods such aged cheeses, dark chocolates and caffeine because they can exacerbate your panic/anxiety symptoms.
Hello.
So a long story short, I broke up with my ex at the end of February, which caused a bit of anxiety ect. I’ve always taken supplements throughout my life on and off just to keep ‘healthy’.
So after this break up I was looking around (as you do
"Vitamin and mineral supplements are frequently misused and taken without professional advice. They are often used as a form of medicine to treat ailments such as colds, or to counteract lifestyle issues such as stress and anxiety."
Contrary to popular belief, vitamins aren’t drugs or miracle cures. They are organic compounds that participate in various metabolic functions. High-dose supplements should not be taken unless recommended under medical advice."
" My time working in medical pharmacology has led me to the conclusion that certain vitamins you'll find in vitamin B complex (i.e., vitamin B6, folate, and other nutrient stimulants) can lead to a similar state of worry, fear, and anxiety.
This is due to the fact that many popular vitamin supplements affect the same metabolic pathways that stimulants like caffeine do. Here are a few that could potentially cause unpleasant side effects like anxiety."
"High doses of vitamin supplements are unsafe
Such as: Vitamins A, D, E and K are fat soluble, which means they are stored in the body and if taken in high doses can be toxic. High doses of some water-soluble vitamins, such as vitamin B6, can also become toxic. Large folate intakes can hide vitamin B12 deficiencies."
Herbal, vitamin supplements, and "natural" remedies can and do cause serious side effects when taken without medical supervision. Doctors and pharmacists are trained in this area and are far more knowledgeable than the non-professional advice one might get on the internet.
@wildcatvet , Thank you so much for your answer. Yes its exactly that, I even said to the ER Dr that i felt like i had drunk 10 espressos! I will desist from the home remedy and stick to healthy eating .
Your experience has been very helpful .
You're welcome!
I wish more people would realize that everything including supplements can come with a price tag. I learned that lesson very quickly with Valerian and St. John's Wort.
The same applies to disrupting your metabolism with vitamins.
WC
WC out of interest , what happened with valerian? I understood this to be as safe as houses !
WC out of interest , what happened with valerian? I understood this to be as safe as houses !
I took Valerian for about two weeks as a sleep aid and had some headaches which I attributed to stressful events and lack of sleep.
I then developed other symptoms and ended up in the hospital with early liver failure. Fortunately, it was caught in time and I recovered after several weeks. This won't happen to everyone but it just goes to show that taking supplements can have serious consequences.
https://www.drugs.com/sfx/valerian-side-effects.html
WC
Whoa ! I’m sorry to hear that . I wish you well
Thanks, sweetie! Take care!
WC
Foxxi, I have just stumbled upon your question ... long story bear with me. My Dr changed my contraception and it resulted in a few days of broken sleep-v unusual for me. I was then put on Zopiclone... I mean just don't , after speaking with my GP i went back on my old pill and thought all would be well, it wasn't and I have been given anti anxiety meds Mirtazapine for anxiety, panic attacks and palpitations. 2 days ago I collapsed outside of our hospital with panic attacks and I thought I was having a heart attack, i was hypoxic and bpm 120! Consultant called it adrenal fatigue.
Now , my pill was changed as I was thought to be perimenopausal so I had read up and saw the benefits of b12 and complex b vits, I have been taking them since restarting my old pill- what a coincidence!.I have anxiety and PTSD but it is controlled with minimal stimulants and CBD oil at night. I am now convinced the B complex is to blame. I have jitters, I cant sleep , huge palpitations,when its morning I can still carry on, I cant remember when I last felt sleepy, I am wired 24/7, I have never in my life suffered panic attacks this is a whole new ball game! The feeling of fear at night and sheer dread, feeling jumpy and this odd fuzzy feeling in my hands and feet nausea and no appetite oh and urinating like 50 times a day!
I am convinced this is why even Zopiclone didnt work. As a side point I also started taking the amino acid GABA... i had 2 Niacin flushes which are awful, niacin is of course a B vit!
I also want to point out that Mirtazapine is not working for me currently, I feel wired all of the time, I am now sure its the b's.
I cant say how long it will take for the B vits to get out of your system but I wanted to share because you are not alone in this and maybe I can help someone else. I have disposed of all vitamins and I am going back to eating well.
x
Foxxii added their own answer:
"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 benign."
Believe it or not. vitamins, herbals, and nutritional supplements can and do have side effects and interactions with other medications. If you're smart enough you'll do your own research first before putting anything in your mouth. Even easier... ask your doctor or pharmacist/chemist.
Wildcat
Hey I am so relieved to read I am not the only one this has happened to. I started taking sublingual vitamin B12 and had a week of severe anxiety and panic. I was gutted because I heard it can really help mood and the illness I have. I actually thought I was nuts but even at the smallest amounts of B12 pills I felt anxious. I also had insomnia and I am talking about tiny doses too!
Horrendous isn't it ?? I hope you can find an alternative , I have been like it for 2 weeks... I thought I was having a breakdown.
I added a b complex to my regimen and immediately noticed my anxiety attacked and was in full swing. I hadn't had to take my meds in 6 months since taking passion flower for sleep. I didn't enjoy it at all. It stopped within a day of discontinued usage of the b vitamins.
No B vitamins do not cause panic attacks nor anxiety. The studies on B vitamins have shown just the opposite. B vitamins induce a calming effect. The majority of supplements that target stress have high doses of B vitamins for that very reason. Studies indicate the higher the dose the more of a calming effect. On the other hand insufficient levels of B12 can cause a slew of symptoms such as anemia, becoming easily irritated and possibly depression, etc... The only reason you would have had the reaction you had is if there was added components to the B vitamins such as herbs, spices and unnatural ratio of minerals. Also supplements are not regulated by the FDA so there could be ingredients in the complex not listed that could be the culprit. I would suspect an ingredient not listed in the supplement such as an herb that caused your palpitations. Try to find a complex without proprietary formulation. -- Pharmacist in Dallas
Oh okay, thank you for that. I feel calm when I take it and after reading that, I started feeling some type of way. So thank you... for your response.
Oh okay, thank you for that. I feel calm when I take it and after reading that, I started feeling some type of way. So thank you... for your response.
No, it can go either way depending on the individual's response. Peer reviewed and published studies do in fact conclude that B vitamins, especially B12, in the high doses contained in many OTC products can induce anxiety and/or panic attacks in some users.
The point being that all vitamins, "natural" and herbal preparations, and any other OTC products can and often do cause side effects and interactions.
Consult with a professional for advice or at least do some research before putting these things in your mouth.
Wildcat
The original question was written by a person who did experience an adverse reaction.
No that is incorrect. The original writer reported just the opposite. Reread the writers post in sequence as they were experienced.
@ wildcat -- published studies indicate just the opposite. Studies indicate high dose vitamin b12 induces calm. B12 does not cause anxiety or any other psychiatric symptom. Proof of this is even physician line pharmaceutical grade stress formulas are extremely high in b12. In fact b12 is the highest of all the b vitamins in a stress formula. These are formulated by physicians. I agree with you to do research before you put something in your mouth and that includes prescription drugs as well, not just safe OTC. -- pharmacist in Dallas
The points, nonetheless, are that individual will respond differently. Foxxii obviously had an adverse reaction and did the appropriate research as demonstrated by the excerpt she posted:
""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."
Formulated by doctors or not OTC's are not safe for all people and should not be promoted as "safe". Look at aspirin and St. John's Wort.
Did you read Foxxii's original question?
Truth is offensive:
What studies, specifically, indicate B vitamins have a "calming effect"?
B vitamins, particularly B12, are in a host of energy drinks and supplements. Why would manufacturers put calming ingredients in an energy drink they're marketing?
--Non-pharmacist in Oregon
Excellent point, methyl-head! Thanks for posting.
Wildcat
@ methyl head :
It's easy to point out one specific item in order to try to prove a point but when you look at the entire picture it's not so easy to do. That being said you point out that b vitamins are in energy drinks but you left out the other ingredients that are put in energy drinks that are proven stimulatory ingredients and wildcat knows this truth as well but refuses to admit the truth backed by science
Yes! And B12 is the most common culprit.
"B12 Causes Psychiatric Symptoms: B12 deficiency can cause almost any psychiatric symptom, from anxiety, and panic to depression and hallucinations. This is because B12 deficiencies trigger symptoms in the nervous system and red blood cells."
"Most people associate B12 with health, energy, and vitality, so it's another vitamin found in high concentrations in many energy formulas. Like B6, high doses of B12 increase neurotransmitter levels, and as a result, have stimulating properties. This can be beneficial for people experiencing mood disorders like depression, though it can sometimes result in an "overshoot" and cause restlessness, anxiety, worry, and difficulty sleeping."
"Evidence points to a link between Vitamin B12 deficiency and depression plus panic attacks."
"To a person who is ingesting significantly more B vitamins than necessary or is prone to anxiety, that stimulation can cause physical symptoms such as heart palpitations and could result in severe anxiety and panic issues"
"There are many reasons for severe anxiousness in some people. Usually, it is due to certain mental conditions, but studies show that having too much vitamin B12 can also lead to feelings of anxiety. Of course, this is not the case for some people. If are taking vitamin B12 supplements and find yourself feeling anxious for no obvious reason, it could be a symptom of vitamin b12 toxicity."
Wildcat
I totally agree with you. Most store bought vitamin b12 or complex are normally high doses(over the daily value). Users who are taking vitamin b12 need to keep in mind that the liver can store the remains for a long period of time. So it’s possible to easily overdose on b12.
@Tyrese.
Good point!
A friend told me B complex will make you calm. So I took it and I did feel calm. However, everyone is different and B12 give you energy I thought.
Yes you are correct -- Pharmacist in Dallas
BDone:
Hearing your comments/feedback always gives me hope! It's true... I mean, I keep reinforcing that to myself that it would naturally take a bit longer for my body to heal itself with the prolonged use of B Vitamins, but sometimes you lose sight of it when you don't see the desired results. I'm trying to hang in there!
methyl-head:
Thanks for the detailed response! I'm with you in that I too have predisposed anxiety issues that started since 2014, so this along with the pandemic doesn't really help with anxiety in general, which then makes it even tougher for me to gauge whether or not i'm recovering from this whole B Complex fiasco. But I agree that it seems like our bodies are locked in to the anxious state that the B Complex put us in, and that almost became our baseline function.
I tried looking up more info about this with no avail, and I too am tired of explaining this to practitioners, docs, etc., and getting the same eye rolling response (on the flip side, if I was them I'd probably think the same without having experienced it myself).
I'm hopeful but it gets tougher and tougher when you have so much time on your hands in isolation, not to think that something else is wrong with you.
Happy Friday everyone!
It's been 3 months since I stopped taking B Complex entirely, and I still have that floaty feeling (now, I've been told that this could also be attributed to muscle tension being in fight or flight mode most of the time, especially with the pandemic adding fuel). Anybody else still have symptoms after 3 months? Mind you, I was taking multivitamins since May 2019 (Centrum for Men) which had a lot of Vitamin B in it, until beginning of July 2020. I began taking B Complex from end of May 2020, stopped mid July, then tried again for a week first week of August.
toretto:
Totally had anxiety symptoms for many months (and still do). The anxiety I experience now is so FAR diminished than early onset, and I am very functional (unfortunately/fortunately with help of SSRI). So anyone read this who's having negative symptoms from excess vitamin doses related to B vitamins, please know it gets better. I had a baseline anxiety before taking vitamins, so I feel those predisposed will leave worse symptoms. I could not attribute B12 "hypervitaminosis" symptoms going past approximately 5 weeks; rather the negative symptoms I experienced anxiety-wise was related to the deteriorating mental state the excess B12 put me in during the first few weeks (lack of sleep, always on edge, thinking I'll never come down, etc.). From there, my body was encoded to be revved up and anxious.
I cannot stress enough the anxiety I experienced during this period was 9/10 bad, anything more and I was seriously going to have end it. I thought I was literally going crazy.. working myself up into depersonalization / derealization, having urgent care visit say I was "manic" (I'm not), etc.
I'm a lot better now but I am very jaded there's not more medical information about negative symptoms with B12. It didn't feel good going for doctor visits claiming "B12 made me crazy" getting blank stares in return, with the typical response of it's "water soluble."
At the end of the day I don't know if B12 was the genesis of my sudden anxiety trip, but I have my suspicions just like you. There was no possible internal way I could end up in the mental state, I am only left to believe there was an external factor and B12 was the only remarkable thing I consumed when I started having symptoms.
3 months is a long time taking B vitamins when they react the way they do for you. It does not surprise me that 3 months on you still have symptoms. Hang in there. You will get better! The more B's you take, the longer you take them, the longer it will take for you to feel better. But don't worry you will feel better. The brain heals remarkably very well. It's been 1 year and 5 months since I took b vitamins and I am completely healed from it.
I've always had a heart like chest pain with vitamins, strange;
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