Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)

Vitamin B₆ (Pyridoxine, Pyridoxal, Pyridoxamine) is one of 8 B-vitamins. B₆ is water-soluble and found in every single cell in your body.

Vitamin B₆ a required coenzyme for the synthesis of dopamine, epinephrine, GABA, melatonin, norepinephrine, and serotonin.[i]

As a nootropic, Vitamin B₆ is crucial for the synthesis of these neurotransmitters. Even mild deficiency results in down-regulation of GABA and serotonin synthesis. Leading to poor sleep, behavior, cardiovascular function, and the loss of hypothalamus-pituitary control of hormone secretion.[ii]

Vitamin B₆ was first isolated in the 1930’s. The “6” in Vitamin B₆ refers to six common forms, namely pyridoxal, pyridoxine (pyridoxal), pyridoxamine, and their phosphorylated forms.

Pyridoxal phosphate (pyridoxal 5′-phosphate, P-5-P, PLP), the active form of Vitamin B₆ is said to be the most versatile organic cofactor in biology. More than 140 distinct enzyme activities in your body and brain depend on PLP.[iii]

The biochemical reactions in your body by PLP-dependent enzymes include the making of hemoglobin, amino acid synthesis and fatty acid metabolism.

PLP also functions as a coenzyme that catalyzes the release of glucose from stored glycogen. Turning it into the type of energy your brain cells can use for fuel.

Vitamin B₆ (Pyridoxine) helps:

• Cerebral Circulation: Vitamin B₆ is needed to regulate homocysteine. High homocysteine levels are linked to inflammation that can lead to blood vessel damage. And possible plaque buildup leading to heart attack or stroke.
• Neurotransmitters: Vitamin B₆ is a cofactor in the synthesis of neurotransmitters dopamine, epinephrine, GABA, norepinephrine, and serotonin. Affecting alertness, cognition, learning and memory and mood.
• Mood: Vitamin B₆ helps increase brain serotonin and dopamine levels. Decreasing anxiety, depression, fatigue and pain.

Overview

Vitamin B₆ (Pyridoxine, Pyridoxal, Pyridoxamine) is one of 8 water-soluble B-vitamins that are absolutely vital to the highly optimized brain. And is essential to all forms of life.

Vitamin B₆ is found in every cell in your body and brain. Vitamin B₆ is a necessary cofactor in the folate cycle. And contributes to the synthesis of neurotransmitters dopamine, GABA, melatonin, norepinephrine, and serotonin.

Vitamin B₆ has a direct effect on your immune system, gene transcription and expression. And is involved in glucose regulation.

Vitamin B₆ protects your blood-brain barrier by regulating homocysteine levels. Excess homocysteine can damage blood vessel linings and neurons, resulting in cognitive decline. B₆ also helps form myelin, the fatty sheath that surrounds and protects neurons.

Pyridoxal phosphate (pyridoxal 5′-phosphate, P-5-P, PLP), the active form of Vitamin B₆ helps control inflammation in your brain. Low levels of PLP are associated with severe inflammation in the brain.[iv] Leading to neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. And contributes to heart disease, arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease and diabetes.

Foods rich in Vitamin B₆ include bananas, beef, chickpeas, pistachios, pork, potatoes, and turkey.

Even mild Vitamin B₆ deficiency can deplete neurotransmitters which leads to cognitive decline. Resulting in brain fog, anxiety, depression and overall poor mental performance.

How does Vitamin B₆ (Pyridoxine) work in the Brain?

Vitamin B₆ (Pyridoxine) boosts brain health and function in several ways. But two in particular stand out.

1. Vitamin B₆ is a cofactor in neurotransmitter synthesis. Vitamin B₆ and its role in amino acid metabolism makes it a critical component for the synthesis of all major neurotransmitters including dopamine, GABA, melatonin, norepinephrine and serotonin.

The synthesis of these neurotransmitters is entirely dependent on B₆ levels in your brain. Even mild deficiency results in less GABA and serotonin synthesis. Resulting in poor sleep patterns, irritability, anxiety, depression, panic attacks and stress.

Low dopamine and norepinephrine levels due to lack of Vitamin B6 leads to depression and loss of memory.

B-Vitamins play a crucial role in optimized cognition. And should be part of every nootropic stack. Unfortunately, there is very little talk in nootropic circles of these vitamins.

A review of vitamin intakes in Germany, the UK, the Netherlands and the USA was conducted to compare vitamin intake to national recommendations. And the study found intake was below recommendations of even the most critical of vitamins. Including B-Vitamins.

The authors of the study noted that this gap exists in vitamin intake and national recommendations for a significant portion of the population. Even though diverse foods were available.[v]

2. Vitamin B₆ helps reduce inflammation. B₆ along with Vitamin B₁₂ and folate help control homocysteine. High levels of homocysteine have been implicated in inflammation leading to damage of blood vessels. Causing heart and neurodegenerative disease.

But homocysteine is not the bad guy when it’s in balance. We need this amino acid for the synthesis of cysteine which is a precursor to the master antioxidant glutathione.

It’s when homocysteine gets out of control that causes problems in our brain and our cardiovascular system. One of the issues with aging is brain shrinkage. Gray matter shrinkage in key areas of the brain have been identified in Alzheimer’s Disease.

Professor David Smith at Oxford University in England conducted a study with 156 elderly patients (age 70+) who were suffering mild memory loss and higher than average levels of homocysteine. High levels of homocysteine are typically the result of deficiencies in Vitamins B6, B12 and folic acid.

For 2 years, the elderly patients received 20 mg of Vitamin B₆, 0.5 mg of Vitamin B₁₂ and 0.8 mg of folic acid (folate). The findings of this study were dramatic. Those who took only placebo experienced brain atrophy of 5.6% over those 2 years. Brain shrinkage in those who took the B-Vitamins had only 0.6% brain shrinkage.

This study showed a 7-fold difference in gray matter shrinkage in just 2 years. Vitamin B₆ along with B₁₂ and folic acid helped protect brain density. And specifically in the areas of the brain vulnerable to Alzheimer’s.[vi]

How things go bad

Vitamin B₆ deficiency is a lot more common than you’d expect in our modern society. B₆ from diet alone, especially for vegetarians and the aged is not adequate to supply what our body and brain needs.

↓ Concentration, memory, learning, and recall decline

↑ Anxiety, confusion, irritability, and depression increase

↑ Homocysteine and inflammation increases

↓ Energy levels decline

Vitamin B₆ is critical for nerve function. And a deficiency can result in psychiatric disorders, seizures, migraines, chronic pain and mood disorders like depression.

Vitamin B₆ (Pyridoxine) benefits

Vitamin B₆ is involved in the regulation of cognition function and mood. B₆ is a cofactor in the neurotransmitters directly related to alertness, anxiety, attention, concentration, memory and mood.[vii]

When you add Phenylalanine to your stack to boost the neurotransmitters dopamine, epinephrine, norepinephrine and melatonin, it will not work without Vitamin B₆. B₆ is a critical cofactor in the synthesis of these neurotransmitters.

The same holds true for any nootropic you use with the intention of boosting any of the major neurotransmitters in your brain. Vitamin B₆ is absolutely required if you want them to do their job.

You need Vitamin B₆ to help control inflammation in your brain. B₆ suppresses the inflammatory cytokines interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α).[viii]

Vitamin B₆ is essential for controlling elevated homocysteine levels which can damage blood vessels crucial for optimal cerebral circulation.

A 2008 review of research in the previous 10 years covering a total of 77 studies and 34,000 subjects demonstrated the relationship between cognitive deficits and dementia and the status of folate, or vitamins B₁₂, or B₆ and homocysteine levels.[ix]

Vitamin B₆ is a coenzyme involved in the synthesis of Heme, an iron-containing component of hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is found in red blood cells and is critical to their ability to transport oxygen throughout your body and brain.

Vitamin B₆ concentrations in your brain are about 100-times higher than levels in your blood. B₆ is critical to the highly optimized brain.

How does Vitamin B₆ (Pyridoxine) feel?

Vitamin B₆ is water-soluble, and has been shown to improve energy and mood. Both men and women report a boost in libido when supplementing with B₆.

Women report that Vitamin B₆ helps control mood swings resulting from PMS.

Neurohackers report that Vitamin B₆ helps sleep and creates vivid dreams. Many prefer it over melatonin for sleep.

Those suffering with carpal tunnel syndrome have consistently found relief in symptoms by using Vitamin B₆. Many find B₆ useful for tendonitis and other joint pain.

Some report that supplementing with Vitamin B₆ helps prevent sunburn. And a few have found relief from tinnitus by using B₆.

Those dealing with ADHD have found that using Vitamin B₆ has helped reduce the reliance on ADHD meds. Likely because B₆ is a cofactor in the synthesis of dopamine and norepinephrine.

Vitamin B₆ Clinical Research

Vitamin B₆ (Pyridoxine) promotes vivid dreams

Read the reviews of those supplementing with Vitamin B₆ and you’ll come across several reports of improved sleep and vivid dreams. And we have science to back this up.

12 college students participated in a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to examine the various claims that Vitamin B₆ increase dream vividness, and the ability to recall dreams.

The students were given 100 or 250 mg of Vitamin B₆ or a placebo prior to bedtime for 5 consecutive days. Morning reports indicated a significant difference in ‘dream-salience scores’. This is a composite score measuring dream vividness, bizarreness, emotionality and color.

The study suggests that Vitamin B₆ may act by increasing arousal during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. The researchers hypothesized it had something to do with the conversion of tryptophan to serotonin.[x]

Vitamin B₆ (Pyridoxine) may prevent Parkinson’s Disease

A study out of the Netherlands suggests that Vitamin B₆ could cut the risk of Parkinson’s Disease in half.

Researchers in Rotterdam recruited 5,289 people over the age of 55 and assessed their dietary intake using food questionnaires. This study looked into reports that increased levels of the amino acid homocysteine might promote Parkinson’s Disease.

Numerous studies have reported that higher intakes of folate, Vitamin B₁₂ and Vitamin B₆ decrease blood homocysteine levels and could offer protection from Parkinson’s.

It has also been proposed that Vitamin B₆ could provide antioxidant effects. And could reduce the risk factor for Parkinson’s by a mechanism that is not related to homocysteine.

After 9.7 years of follow-up, 72 new cases of Parkinson’s Disease had been diagnosed. The average Vitamin B₆ intake was 1.63 mg per day, average B₁₂ intake was 5.3 mcg per day, and average folate intake was 218.7 mcg per day.

No significant reductions in the risk of Parkinson’s were found for folate or Vitamin B₁₂. But when the researchers limited their calculations to the 66% of participants who were smokers, they found that the protective effects of high Vitamin B₆ intake appeared limited to this group.

The researchers noted that several studies indicate the protective effects of nicotine on brain cells, and reduced the risk of Parkinson’s. Which suggests that Vitamin B₆ plus nicotine provides mutually reinforcing beneficial effects.

Since folate and Vitamin B₁₂ showed no relationship to reduced Parkinson’s, the researchers concluded it was not homocysteine that was behind the newly diagnosed patients.

The study authors said that the apparent benefits of B₆, “may point towards an alternative mechanism… because several lines of evidence suggest neuroprotective properties of Vitamin B₆ through antioxidant capacities”.

Oxidative stress has been shown to be prominent in Parkinson’s Disease, and higher Vitamin B₆ intake may reduce Parkinson’s risk through its antioxidant effects.[xi]

Vitamin B₆ (Pyridoxine) to beat Panic Attacks

Reduced serotonin levels are known as one of the causes of panic attacks and hyperventilation attacks. Serotonin is synthesized from tryptophan. And for the synthesis of serotonin, you need Vitamin B₆ and iron.

The clarify how this works, researchers at Atago Hospital in Japan checked the blood levels (vitamins B₂, B₆, and B₁₂ and iron) of patients who came into the ER with a panic attack or hyperventilation attack.

The team measured parameters in 21 patients compared to 20 healthy volunteers. The study found that both Vitamin B₆ and iron levels were significantly lower in the panic and hyperventilation attack people than in the healthy volunteers.

There was no significant difference in Vitamin B₂ or B₁₂. The study concluded that low blood concentrations of Vitamin B₆ and iron are involved in panic and hyperventilation attacks.[xii]

Vitamin B₆ recommended dosage

Recommended dosage of pyridoxal 5′-phosphate (P-5-P) form of Vitamin B₆ is up to 100 mg per day. P-5-P is the only ‘active’ form of B₆ available and preferred for nootropic usage. (see “Side Effects” for toxicity with Vitamin B₆).

The enzyme L-dopa decarboxylase depends on P-5-P to convert L-DOPA into dopamine. And is involved in the final stages of serotonin synthesis.[xiii]

An analysis of data collected in the USA in 2003-2004 indicated that Vitamin B₆ intake from food averaged about 1.9 mg per day.[xiv] The problem is some forms of Vitamin B₆ from plants (pyridoxine glucoside) are not very bioavailable.

In most cases, and certainly that of neurohackers using nootropics to boost neurotransmitters or improve mood, Vitamin B₆ from diet alone is not enough.

The study mentioned above shows that even those supplementing with 2 mg per day of Vitamin B₆ or less had blood levels of B₆ much too low.

Vitamin B₆ is water-soluble and you excrete it in urine, so supplementation daily is critical.

Women taking birth control pills, or who are menstruating are usually low in Vitamin B₆. Those following a strict vegetarian diet are also typically deficient in B₆.

Drugs like L-DOPA, anti-tuberculosis medications, metal chelators, methylxanthines to treat respiratory conditions, and long-term use of NSAIDs, anti-convulsants, and phenobarbital all inhibit Vitamin B₆ metabolism. If you are using any of these drugs you are likely low in B₆.

You can safely dose up to 100 mg per day of Vitamin B₆ with no toxic effects.

Vitamin B₆ Side Effects

Vitamin B₆ (Pyridoxine) is non-toxic at recommended doses. So is considered well-tolerated and safe.

Side effects are rare but very high single doses can include stomach upset, nausea or diarrhea.

Pyridoxine neuropathy is a form of nerve damage caused by high doses of Vitamin B₆ when taken for extended periods. Symptoms are loss of coordination, extreme skin sensitivity, bone pain, muscle weakness, and numbness.

Pyridoxine neuropathy has been reported in doses of Vitamin B₆ of 200 mg to 5 grams per day for extended periods. When dosing was stopped, symptoms usually disappeared.[xv] [xvi]

This nerve damage has been identified as the destruction of axons and neurons which is reversible at lower levels of toxicity. And irreversible at higher levels of Vitamin B₆ toxicity.[xvii] [xviii]

Type of  Vitamin B₆ to buy

Vitamin B₆ from food and supplements comes in the form of Pyridoxine, Pyridoxal, and Pyridoxamine.

These forms of B₆ are considered ‘inactive’, but are converted in your liver and intestines into the active form of Vitamin B₆ called pyridoxal 5′-phosphate (P-5-P).

For nootropic use, look for a P-5-P supplement or a B-Complex formula that uses P-5-P.

Most multivitamins also include some form of Vitamin B₆ in their formula. But many of these multis don’t contain enough for optimum health. And many have an inactive version of this nutrient.

The Performance Lab^® NutriGenesis Multi offers a nature-identical form of Vitamin B₆ and is now my favorite daily multivitamin/mineral supplement.

I prefer the Performance Lab® multi because it’s more potent, it’s biologically active and I’ve found to be a far more effective multi compared to every other multivitamin supplement I’ve ever used.

Performance Lab^® uses their own priority NutriGenesis^® vitamins and minerals which are grown on probiotic, plant and yeast cultures in a state-of-the-art lab.