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
- 18 April 2021
- Topics
- vitamins, anxiety, panic disorder, multivitamin, disorder, symptom
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."
81 Answers
Vitamin B reduces stress. However, Vitamin B3 (Niacin) in the B complex may cause some anxiety. Its always best to take time release niacin.
Okay thank you for that, its so good to know!!
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?
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?
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'm a longtime vegetarian and am 74 years young. Recently, I was hospitalized for extreme body pain, and it was discovered that my HGB count was 9.5 g/dl -- normal count being 13.0 and upward. So my doctor is giving me B-12 shots on a monthly basis, and I'm also prescribed Ferrous Sulfate. FS can cause stomach upset, so I try to take it with food. I thought I'd add a Vitamin B Complex vitamin--and after 3 days I started feeling like climbing walls! So much for VB Complex! Interestingly, I take Adderall for ADHD and far from making me "wired", it gives me focus and mellows me out, so-to-speak.
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.
Naturally my doc (whom I saw this morning on an emergency basis) could find nothing wrong with me, and hasn't ever heard of a connection between B complex and panic attacks. So I'm searching the web for other accounts. I agree it takes days to feel better. Today I am not panicking, but I can feel it below the surface, and I feel quite unwell - fatigued, dizzy, slightly out of it. The whole thing is a huge shock. I'm still not sure it's the vitamin - but the coincidence is very striking - the more so because I had completely forgotten the first incident (forgotten that I had taken the B vitamins, not forgotten the anxiety attacks) when I had the second - about an hour into the attack last night my wife reminded me that we had suspected the vitamins last time, or at least wondered about them. And it was then I realized, I had taken them again, for the first time in a year, just the previous night. NOT the night I had the attack, but the day before. Very odd. Maybe just a coincidence but... when I feel fully better (have to decide whether to use meds for this, or just wait it out), I may test the vitamin B complex again, just to be 100% sure that's what it is. Can't emphasize enough how bad this attack was.
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.
it is my own fault, as I was not prescribed them, but bought them over the counter at a health store. . .and have never reduced the strength as they appeared to be helping with my migraines!
I hope I am right and that these symptoms.. Including restlessness, jumping/twitching of my body, and insomnia.
Fingers crossed I have found the cause.
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!
Hi so can I just check if this has already been resolved and if you are very sure that it's the vitamin B complex that has caused this? How long did it take for the anxiety to go off? I am currently in a fight or flight mode for a week. I thought I should take my vitamins (magnesium and Vit B complex) even more consistently. But the feeling of fear hasn't gone! My mom told me to stop all supplements and to detox the body with proper nutrition. I am desperate and hope to have an answer soonest from anyone in this thread who have successfully weaned off the vitamins and have no anxiety attacks. Thank you!
Oh yes, and my symptoms are: tingling shoulders and arms, non-stop twitching of muscles, heart pounding/feeling cold (as if I would just explode), and sleeplessness. It's a vicious cycle this entire week. I started on magnesium and Vit B complex five months ago to combat migraine and dizzy spells during my period cycle. For the first 3 months, they worked magically. Migraines and dizzy spells gone. But after 3 months, dizzy spells came back. And now... After much stress from my job, and lack of sleep due to all these, my body spiraled down to this panic mode. I am now currently on long medical leave as it's very difficult to function at work. Even at home, I feel the fear/anxiety so great. Thanks for your help anyone!
I am so glad I came across this blog. I have been taking all kinds of vitamins & supplements for the past 25 years and never suspected that they could cause me any harm as well. I was simply naive. I was taking B-12 & B-Complex on top of my stress tab daily vitamin. Last year I ran out of the them and didn't order any till couple weeks ago. Within a few days I noticed that I was experiencing and falling into a very rapid depressive moods for no apparent reason and wouldn't take much for me to go off the chart on someone. Which was very unusual for me. I was going crazy trying to find a reason for it and even started suspecting my Baby-Aspirin reg-emit that I have been on for the past 20 years. After reading these posts here, I am pretty sure now I am almost sure that I have been probably overdosing on these and no more. I am cutting all the vitamins off except Vitamin C and try to compensate for any deficiency via a good diet.
Thank you for your posts and sharing your concerns and as you said, feels a little better that I am not the only one. One more side point, I am pretty sure is not related or maybe it is, but I also started having some hives on my side and chest few weeks ago which they get fuller or lighter in color every now and then for no apparent reason. I am somehow thinking that all these supplements for these many years are finally having a negative effect on me and this is the way of my buddy telling me that.
I experienced this too. I took a vitateen, with lots of B vitamins and the following night I started getting weird thoughts, weird widespread feelings, anxiety. I have an acute anxiety problem, but it was SEVERE ONLY that night I took the vitateen and a few days following a little worse as well... Also in the past I've taken vitateens and stopped because it made my anxiety worse in the past, but I decided to try again with 1 vitateen recently. I think it's because there was just too many b vitamins in the vitamin which my body couldn't handle well.
I have same like you. If i tacke b6 vitamins i cant sleep because my panic attack.
Oh I can relate!!! Tried turmeric because they said it was good for anxiety — made it worse - B VITAMINS — horrible!! Taking magnesium !!! Let’s see if that works!!! Have no choice but to take Xanax when needed !!! Maybe they say you shouldn’t depend on them. But when your in an high anxiety state- IT HELPS!!’ Only a person who gets these attacks knows what it is like!!! My came on oct 4th and is still here nov 23— I sympathize with you!!! Vitamins are all bull !!! It’s a money making scheme!! Just like drugs!!! BUT we believe what we are told!!! ’ I THINK —
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 have even tried taking children's version of vitamins because adult ones have sooooo much in there that it's rediculous. Children's vitamins don't have more than 100% RDA so I thought it would be ok. I was ok for a few days and then started getting weirded out again so I stopped. I will not take vitamins anymore, just foods fortified with them as I dont seem to have a bad reaction to those.
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
Some people can't absorb b vitamins by digesting them... that's why some people take shots... so yes if your stomach can't digest them then it can cause anxiety...
I have had a positive experience thus far with Natures Bounty Time Release B-Complex vitamins. I do not drink milk and rarely cereal because all the sugar makes me feel unwell. I take this 1x daily with a prenatal vitamin (simply for the additional vitamins) with my doctors approval. I am going to consider upping the dose 2x per week as I have read that some individuals actually do better with higher does. I would recommend reading the Vitamin Cure. This may not work for everyone and I would highly suggest that with anxiety, depression, PTSD, etc that you work with your doctor. Some may increase anxiety, while others decrease. I personally am looking for natural alternatives to antidepressants. I have also read that B-Complex is beneficial for those with substance abuse disorders. I am a huge research advocate and google scholar can be your friend. So the short, I am finding it helpful and am considering increasing my dosage a couple of times a week. If it goes well, I may consider gradually increasing the dosage until I find what works best for me.
My comment is this I have had a severe case of anxiety disorder since 91 when my medication stop working for me I know it's time to take the B complex when I take the B complex it comes my whole body down so I can't say that B complex is bad things it because it definitely works for me
I know this is a very old post but it has helped me. I thought I was going insane. I started taking high strength vita9b complex over a week ago and since then I’ve been so anxious and panicking all the time. My whole body is shaking and I feel dreadful. I stopped taking them Saturday it’s now Wednesday. How long before they leave your system? Any help would be greatly appreciated. I’m drinking loads to try to flush it out faster.
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.
i dont recommend self diagnosis on the net , but information is better coming from other sufferers with first hand experience than textbook doctors in some instances... especially when the textbooks are often produced from big pharmaceutical companys.
i now avoid products with caffeine , only drink decaff etc. i take high dose vit c and a magnesium with zinc... all seems ok.
the only thing anyone can do is try what works for them , we may have similar issues ie anxiety , but different things work or trigger differently in all of us.
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!!!
So glad I found this post. For me it's the morning of day 2 of stopping all b complex. My heart still is pounding. I really hope day 3 is better. Thanks all
Hi took vitamin b complex on Monday felt fine then all of a sudden a major panic attack kicked in never felt so afraid it's now been 4 days and still feeling a little weird and spacey so hoping this will pass
I know this is old, but saw some newer comments. I have severe b12 deficiency so my dr put me on a high dose supplement. I took it the other day and felt fine, but then took it again this morning and about and hour later I felt really flushed , hot and then found myself in the middle of a panic attack. Felt like I couldn't breath, heart racing, etc. I take other supplements as well, an adrenal complex, multi vit, cbd, vit d. I'm wondering if the difference is that I took it with food one day but not the other.
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
I have mitral valve prolapse and never really knew why I got my anxiety attacks, however found out that millions of people have MVP (mostly women) and have no idea that they have it! Some people can go their whole lives and never find out… Unfortunately for me I suffered from bad anxiety attacks ... went to the cardiologist and that's what I found out. So with that being said ... I, like yourself, cannot use any nasal spray's except for a saline solution. Also, have a lot of symptoms from different vitamins!
Just thought I would let you know… In case you wanted to get check for MVP
I have an acute anxiety problem for 2 years and it was feeling mostly better recenty. I decided to try for the 1st time this year, a vitateen, which has many b vitamins in it. and the night on the day I took it, my anxiety got very bad, and it is still worse these few days after.
I've been suffering from GAD on and off for decades, but usually get over it in a matter of months. This time, due to some major life changes, it's been a couple of years of anxiety/depression and I'm at the end of my rope. Taking benzos without a whole lot of success in general. Seeing a psychologist as well. I usually felt better for a couple of days after a session with him, but always got back to the anxiety. My daughter, the holistic freak, suggested that I take B complex. So I did. Anxiety no better. In fact worse. Finally gave in against my better judgement and started on an antianxiety drug five days ago. We'll, the anxiety is just as bad, if not worse.. So today, saw my psych, expecting to feel better as usual. Nope. Worse than I have been in a long time. Then I thought "What am i doing different? Hmm... B Complex?" Got on this site. This could be the answer. If it is, then bless you all! Will stop taking it tomorrow and see how it goes.
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.
Did you notice a change? After stopping??? I'm in the same situation now! Anxiety is above the roof for a week now.
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 have considered lowering the levels of B vitamins I take but as I said, as long as I have an anxiety pill on hand, I know that regardless of what happens, I know I can control it. I do also try to avoid heavy amounts of sugar, caffeine, and any other things that would increase my energy when I take my ADD meds and a b vitamin of any sort. Definitely, talk with your Dr and even your pharmacist. They can offer great advice.
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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