Vitamin B8 (Inositol, cyclohexanehexol) is a sugar alcohol and isomer of glucose. As a nootropic, inositol is involved in brain cell signaling, and is a component of cell membranes.
Vitamin B8 is no longer considered a ‘true’ B-Vitamin because your body can make inositol on its own. A “true vitamin” is either essential for life and/or cannot be made by the human body. So inositol no longer qualifies.
Inositol is used in your brain as a “secondary messenger”. It facilitates communication between brain cells. All of your major neurotransmitters need inositol to relay messages.
Inositol is also a component making up the phospholipid ‘shell’ encasing each brain cell. Once again, inositol acts as a messenger of sorts by assisting in the transport of amino acids, proteins and neurotransmitters across and into the brain cell.
Inositol is a ‘group’ of 9 molecules called ‘stereoisomers’. Myo-inositol is the most abundant stereoisomer, making up 90-95% of the total free inositol in your body.
As a nootropic, Vitamin B8 (Inositol) can be used to treat panic attacks and anxiety, depression, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), bulimia, depression in bipolar disorder and mood swings.
Vitamin B8 (Inositol) helps:
- Brain Optimization: Inositol helps boost serotonin and dopamine receptor density. Improving the effectiveness of serotonin, GABA, glutamate and dopamine neurotransmitters in your brain.
- Neurotransmitters: Inositol improves the effectiveness of major neurotransmitters in your brain. Boosting alertness, concentration, focus, motivation and memory.
- Mood: Inositol is often used along with popular antidepressant medications improving their effectiveness. Or sometimes even replacing SSRI’s in the treatment of depression, anxiety, panic attacks and OCD.
Table of Contents
Overview
Vitamin B8 (Inositol, cyclohexanehexol) is a sugar alcohol and isomer of glucose found in nearly all animals and plants.
Inositol is a group of 9 molecules called stereoisomers. In this article we’re talking primarily about myo-inositol which accounts for up to 95% of the inositol in your body.
Vitamin B8 is no longer considered a ‘true’ vitamin because our body makes inositol. And we can get it from most types of food.
Myo-inositol is involved in cell-signaling. In the simplest terms, myo-inositol hears from the first neuron that it’s about to fire over a neurotransmitter. And passes that information on to the receiving neuron. Not enough inositol and the neurotransmitter can’t do its job.
Inositol is one busy molecule in your body:
- Myo-inositol affects mRNA which regulates cell volume.[i]
- Phosphatidylinositol signaling pathways control signals inside and outside of brain cells.[ii]
- Inositol plays a role in DNA repair[iii]
- Inositol affects long-term potentiation[iv]
- Myo-inositol is a component of cell membranes
- Myo-inositol regulates cell metabolism
- Myo-inositol regulates cell energy consumption
How does Vitamin B8 (Inositol) work in the Brain?
Vitamin B8 (Inositol) boosts brain health and function in several ways. But two in particular stand out.
- Inositol influences neuroplasticity and neurotransmitters. Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) has been used to treat depression, Parkinson’s Disease, stroke and pain. But the maximum effect of tDCS in the brain was not until several minutes after treatment. Which indicates the effects of tDCS is not by direct neurotransmitter action like you would expect for example if you were using a nootropic.[v]
Researchers concluded the effect of tDCS was best explained by the activation of a ‘secondary messenger system’, and modulation of brain cell membrane proteins.
Neurotransmitters, neuromodulators and hormones have been shown to exert their action via an intracellular (inside the cell) secondary messenger system in which the activated neuroreceptor stimulates the turnover of inositol phospholipids.[vi]
Clinical studies have found that low levels of inositol are present in patients with anorexia, brain disorders and depression.[vii] And abnormal levels of myo-inositol in middle-aged adults can signal the initial stages of cognitive decline such as Alzheimer’s and dementia.[viii]
- Inositol helps reduce anxiety and depression. Long-term potentiation needed for encoding long-term memories, and long-term depression, rely on neural signal transmission and synaptic plasticity. And both are strongly influenced by the myo-inositol and phosphoinositide pathway.[ix]
A meta-analysis and systematic review of clinical studies were evaluated comparing inositol for depression and anxiety disorders. The researchers concluded that inositol was beneficial for treating depression and anxiety.[x]
How things go bad
Inositol is an important component of brain cell membranes. And is critical as a secondary messenger for both intra- and extra-cellular signaling.
Low inositol levels have been found in those with major depressive disorder, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and other neurodegenerative diseases. Science does not yet know if low inositol is a result of, or contributes to these diseases.
↓ Inositol levels decline
↓ Serotonin and dopamine receptor density declines
↓ Anxiety and depression get worse
↓ Concentration, cognition and memory decline
↑ LDL-cholesterol (bad) and triglycerides increase
↓ HDL-cholesterol (good) levels decline
↑ Inflammation and oxidative stress damage neurons
Vitamin B8 supplementation can help increase the density of serotonin and dopamine receptors in your brain. And improve neurotransmitter signaling. Helping you to cope with stress, lessen depression and improve memory.
Vitamin B8 (Inositol) Benefits
Myo-inositol enhances serotonin neuroreceptor sensitivity.[xi] And several studies have proposed a SSRI-like role for myo-inositol. Researchers believe inositol works as a SSRI because it is a secondary messenger of serotonin.
In other words, inositol gets a message from the 1st neuron that says it wants to send over a serotonin molecule. Inositol picks up that message and lets the receiving neuroreceptor know there’s an incoming serotonin molecule. Serotonin signaling is fixed and depression goes away.[xii]
In some regions of your brain, serotonin acts more like a “neuromodulator” rather than a “classic” neurotransmitter. And can affect glutamate and GABA as well.[xiii]
As a secondary messenger, inositol is an integral part of neuroplasticity and neurotransmitter signaling. Affecting anxiety, alertness, concentration, cognition, depression and all forms of memory.
A large percentage of patients do not respond to SSRI’s when used to treat depression or anxiety. The problem could be depression not related to serotonin or GABA deficiency (they could have a dopamine problem instead).
But if it is serotonin-related depression and there is no response to SSRI’s, inositol may help. Myo-inositol helps relay the messages sent and received by serotonin receptors.
Another problem with SSRI’s like lithium is Serotonin Syndrome. Too much serotonin can be released in the brain which can be toxic and deadly. Or the SSRI can deplete stores of inositol which raises serotonin levels too high.
Once again, inositol comes to the rescue. Researchers found that myo-inositol + lithium alleviated Serotonin Syndrome.[xiv]
Myo-inositol regulates blood sodium levels which helps in the maintenance of healthy myelin sheaths that protect neurons.
Myo-inositol protects your brain from a leaky blood-brain barrier that if left unchecked, would allow toxins produced in your liver to enter your brain.[xv]
Inositol can relieve anxiety and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Myo-inositol can reduce panic attacks. And inositol can reduce mood swings.
Studies show that inositol is as effective as SSRI’s in treating the symptoms of bulimia and binge eating.[xvi]
Inositol can protect against lung cancer caused by smoking.[xvii]
Myo-inositol increases sperm concentration, total sperm count, and re-balanced follicle stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone in infertile males.[xviii]
Myo-inositol can help lower LDL-cholesterol (bad-cholesterol), C-reactive protein and blood glucose levels while increasing HDL-cholesterol (good cholesterol).[xix]
Inositol reduces inflammation. Phosphatidylinositol reduces pro-inflammatory cytokines.[xx] And D-chiro-inositol decreases the mRNA expression and secretion of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin 6 (IL-6).[xxi]
D-chiro-inositol has anti-aging properties and can extend lifespan.[xxii]
The bottom-line is inositol is a potent pseudo-vitamin and can be a great compliment to any nootropic stack.
How does Vitamin B8 (Inositol) feel?
Inositol makes it easier to fall asleep. Unlike other sleep-inducing nootropics or sleep meds, it doesn’t “knock you out”. Falling asleep is just effortless.
Inositol increases serotonin and dopamine receptor densities. So damage that you may have done to dopamine receptors are repaired (particularly an issue with ADHD stimulant meds). And serotonin is simply more effective. Anxiety decreases, motivation goes up and depression goes away.
Inositol is great for social occasions because anxiety levels decrease. In fact, inositol outperformed fluoxetine (Prozac®) at reducing panic attacks and can become effective in just a few days. With no side effects.
Some neurohackers feel that supplementing with inositol is the best anti-depressant they’ve every used. The real beauty of inositol is you can safely combine it with the current antidepressant (i.e. SSRI) medication you currently take. Your antidepressant meds may work better!
Inositol is a proven remedy for treating the symptoms of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). You should feel a noticeable reduction in negative thoughts. Some things just won’t bother you as much. And won’t dominate your thoughts so easily.
And inositol is an effective method of taming panic attacks.
Vitamin B8 (Inositol) Clinical Research
Inositol to Treat Panic Attacks
Estimates are that only about 70% of patients respond to standard drug treatments for panic disorder. And many often discontinue the drugs because of negative side effects.
Israeli researchers decided to compare inositol with the SSRI fluvoxamine (Luvox®) for panic disorder. In this double-blind, controlled, random-order crossover study 20 patients completed 1 month of 18 grams per day of inositol and 1 month of 150 mg per day of fluvoxamine.
In the first month, inositol reduced the number of panic attacks per week by 4 compared to only 2.4 for fluvoxamine. Nausea and fatigue were noted with those using Luvox® but not with inositol.
The natural compound inositol was more effective than a SSRI for treating panic disorder.[xxiii]
Vitamin B8 (Inositol) for Depression
A study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry noted that levels of inositol in depressed patients were lower than normal. In this trial, the authors administered 12 grams per day of inositol or a placebo to depressed patients for 4 weeks.
The overall improvement in depression scores was significantly greater than placebo by week 4. And no side effects were noted.
The researchers commented that “this is the first time a precursor strategy for a secondary messenger rather a neurotransmitter” was used in treating depression.
The authors concluded that “inositol had a significant antidepressant effect”.[xxiv]
Another study tried using inositol to treat Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD). PMDD is a particularly nasty form of PMS. It’s a condition in which a woman has severe depression, irritability and tension before menstruation.
Scientists don’t really know what causes PMDD except it has something to do with serotonin. Serotonin is the “calming neurotransmitter”. When it fails for any reason you get depressed, irritable, obsessive, negative and worried.
In this 2-phase clinical trial, PMDD patients were given myo-inositol in powder form, or a soft-gel capsule equivalent to 2 grams of myo-inositol.
The results showed a significant improvement on 3 different scales of measuring depression. Inositol significantly improved PMDD and associated depression, irritability and tension.[xxv]
Vitamin B8 (Inositol) for OCD
Inositol is good for treating Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). OCD is a type of anxiety characterized by unwanted, recurring thoughts and behaviors.
One double-blind, controlled crossover trial treated 13 OCD patients with 18 grams per day of inositol for 6 weeks.
The OCD patients had significantly lower scores on the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale when taking inositol than when taking placebo.
The authors concluded that “inositol is effective in depression, panic, and obsessive-compulsive disorder, a spectrum of disorders responsive to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI’s)”.[xxvi]
Vitamin B8 (Inositol) Recommended Dosage
Recommended dosage for inositol is up to 3 grams per day. Typically split into 3-doses of 1 gram each. One in the morning, one at noon, and your final dose before bedtime.
Clinically effective dosage for depression and anxiety is up to 12 grams per day. Split your dose into 3-times per day. 4 grams in the morning, 4 grams at noon and 4 grams prior to bedtime.
Clinically effective dosage for OCD is up to 18 grams per day. Split into 3 equal doses of 6 grams each.
The clinical dosages mentioned here are the ones used in clinical trials. Most people experienced relief of symptoms within 3 months. Some people showed improvements within a week or sooner.
Important note: It may not be necessary for you to go as high as 12 or 18 grams per day. Inositol could be just as effective for you in much smaller doses.
Most neurohackers notice benefits when taking 3 – 4 grams per day or less.
Vitamin B8 (Inositol) Side Effects
Vitamin B8 (Inositol) is non-toxic. So is considered well-tolerated and safe.
Higher doses like those used in clinical trials could result in flatulence, stomach upset, nausea, diarrhea, increased mood swings for bipolar or psychosis patients.
If you’ve been diagnosed with bipolar or bipolar-spectrum disorder, please consult a pharmacist or your doctor before using inositol.
Studies have shown and neurohackers verify that inositol supplementation may reduce testosterone levels and libido. Most of the Low-T reports were by woman but I’ve heard a few men reporting Low-T and libido from inositol as well.
Types of Vitamin B8 (Inositol) to Buy
Inositol is available in capsules, softgels, and in powder form.
Inositol powder is the least expensive way to supplement with this nootropic. Inositol is basically a sugar so it tastes sweet. Not as sweet as sugar but it tastes good on its own. Or mixed in your favorite beverage.
Lecithin is comprised of both inositol and choline. So lecithin as a supplement will provide you with inositol.
Inositol is often supplied by supplement manufacturers as “inositol + choline”. The thinking behind this combined supplement is that inositol compliments the effects of choline.
When inositol and choline are used together, they are supposed to improve nerve function and help you metabolize cholesterol.
But high doses of choline can leave you depressed and sleepy. So if you want to add inositol to your nootropic stack, I suggest you avoid the combination and go with straight inositol.
Some multivitamins also include some form of Vitamin B8 (Inositol) in their formula. But many of these multis don’t contain enough for optimum health. And many have an isolated or synthetic version of this nutrient.
The Performance Lab® NutriGenesis Multi offers a nature-identical form of Vitamin B8 (Inositol) 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.
Nootropics Expert Recommendation
Vitamin B8 (Inositol) up to 3 grams per day
I recommend using Vitamin B8 (Inositol) as a nootropic supplement.
Your body does make Vitamin B8 on its own. And you get it from food. So it is unlikely that you are inositol deficient. But if you want to try inositol for its anti-anxiety and antidepressant benefits, you must take it as a supplement.
Inositol is especially helpful for those suffering from anxiety, depression, panic attacks, or OCD.
Experience shows Inositol helps stop and reverse the symptoms associated with high cholesterol levels. B8 will lower ‘bad’ LDL-cholesterol as well as raise ‘good” HDL-cholesterol.
Vitamin B8 is also particularly helpful to quell anxiety caused by social situations.
Vitamin B8 can help you get a good night’s sleep. Many find it more effective than sleep meds and other nootropics used for sleep. You’ll awaken feeling refreshed and calm. Ready to start your day.
The recommended dosage of Vitamin B8 (Inositol) is up to 3 grams per day. But start at a gram or less, and work your way up depending on how you feel. Clinical doses of 12 or 18 gram are usually not needed for most people.
At the very minimum every neurohacker should be using a multivitamin every day that includes Vitamin B8 (Inositol). The best multi I’ve found and use every day is the Performance Lab® NutriGenesis Multi for men or women.
[i] Wiese T.J., Dunlap J.A., Conner C.E., Grzybowski J.A., Lowe W.L. Jr., Yorek M.A. “Osmotic regulation of Na-myo-inositol cotransporter mRNA level and activity in endothelial and neural cells.” American Journal of Physiology. 1996 Apr;270(4 Pt 1):C990-7. (source)
[ii] Majerus P.W., Ross T.S., Cunningham T.W., Caldwell K.K., Jefferson A.B., Bansal V.S. “Recent insights in phosphatidylinositol signaling.” Cell. 1990 Nov 2;63(3):459-65. (source)
[iii] Fisher S.K., Novak J.E., Agranoff B.W. “Inositol and higher inositol phosphates in neural tissues: homeostasis, metabolism and functional significance.” Journal of Neurochemistry. 2002 Aug;82(4):736-54. (source)
[iv] Nishiyama M., Hong K., Mikoshiba K., Poo M.M., Kato K. “Calcium stores regulate the polarity and input specificity of synaptic modification.” Nature. 2000 Nov 30;408(6812):584-8. (source)
[v] Siegel G., Agranoff B., Albers R., Molinoff P. Basic neurochemistry. New York: Raven Press; 1994.
[vi] Gamper N., Shapiro M.S. “Regulation of ion transport proteins by membrane phosphoinositides.” Nature Reviews: Neuroscience. 2007 Dec;8(12):921-34. (source)
[vii] Rango M., Cogiamanian F., Marceglia S., Barberis B. “Myoinositol content in the human brain is modified by transcranial direct current stimulation in a matter of minutes: A 1H-MRS study” Magnetic Resonance in Medicine Volume 60, Issue 4 October 2008 Pages 782–789 (source)
[viii] Eagen D.E., et. Al. “Elevated Serum C-Reactive Protein Relates to Increased Cerebral Myoinositol Levels in Middle-Aged Adults” Cardiovascular Psychiatry and Neurology. 2012; 2012: 120540. (source)
[ix] Nishiyama M., Hong K., Mikoshiba K., Poo M.M., Kato K. “Calcium stores regulate the polarity and input specificity of synaptic modification.” Nature. 2000 Nov 30;408(6812):584-8. (source)
[x] Mukai T., Kishi T., Matsuda Y., Iwata N. “A meta-analysis of inositol for depression and anxiety disorders.” Human Psychopharmacology. 2014 Jan;29(1):55-63 (source)
[xi] Rahman S., Neuman R.S. “Myo-inositol reduces serotonin (5-HT2) receptor induced homologous and heterologous desensitization.” Brain Research. 1993 Dec 24;631(2):349-51. (source)
[xii] Gianfranco C., Vittorio U., Silvia B., Francesco D. “Myo-inositol in the treatment of premenstrual dysphoric disorder.” Human Psychopharmacology. 2011 Oct;26(7):526-30. (source)
[xiii] Ciranna L. “Serotonin as a Modulator of Glutamate- and GABA-Mediated Neurotransmission: Implications in Physiological Functions and in Pathology” Current Neuropharmacology. 2006 Apr; 4(2): 101–114. (source)
[xiv] Kofman O., Levin U. “Myo-inositol attenuates the enhancement of the serotonin syndrome by lithium.” Psychopharmacology (Berlin). 1995 Mar;118(2):213-8. (source)
[xv] Herman-Sucharska I., Grzybek M., Grochowska A., Karcz P., Urbanik A. article in Polish “[Myoinositol trends in HMRS brain spectrum of patients with hepatic encephalopathy].” Przegl Lek. 2010;67(4):247-50. (source)
[xvi] Gelber D., Levine J., Belmaker R.H. “Effect of inositol on bulimia nervosa and binge eating.” International Journal of Eating Disorders. 2001 Apr;29(3):345-8. (source)
[xvii] Han W., et. Al. “The Chemopreventive Agent Myoinositol Inhibits Akt and Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinase in Bronchial Lesions from Heavy Smokers” Cancer Prevention Research US National Library of Medicine 2013 Jul 18 (source)
[xviii] Calogero A.E., et. Al. “Myoinositol improves sperm parameters and serum reproductive hormones in patients with idiopathic infertility: a prospective double-blind randomized placebo-controlled study” Andrology Volume 3, Issue 3 May 2015 Pages 491–495 (source)
[xix] Maeba R., Hara H., Ishikawa H., Hayashi S., Yoshimura N., Kusano J., Takeoka Y., Yasuda D., Okazaki T., Kinoshita M., Teramoto T. “Myo-inositol treatment increases serum plasmalogens and decreases small dense LDL, particularly in hyperlipidemic subjects with metabolic syndrome.” Journal of Nutritional Science and Vitaminology (Tokyo). 2008 Jun;54(3):196-202. (source)
[xx] Inafuku M., Nagao K., Inafuku A., Yanagita T., Taira N., Toda T., Oku H. “Dietary phosphatidylinositol protects C57BL/6 mice from concanavalin A-induced liver injury by modulating immune cell functions.” Molecular Nutrition and Food Research. 2013 Sep;57(9):1671-9 (source)
[xxi] Fortis-Barrera Á., Alarcón-Aguilar F.J., Banderas-Dorantes T., Díaz-Flores M., Román-Ramos R., Cruz M., García-Macedo R. “Cucurbita ficifolia Bouché (Cucurbitaceae) and D-chiro-inositol modulate the redox state and inflammation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.” Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology. 2013 Oct;65(10):1563-76 (source)
[xxii] Hada B., Yoo M.R., Seong K.M., Jin Y.W., Myeong H.K., Min K.J. “D-chiro-inositol and pinitol extend the life span of Drosophila melanogaster.” Journal of Gerontology. Series A, Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences. 2013 Mar;68(3):226-34. (source)
[xxiii] Palatnik A., Frolov K., Fux M., Benjamin J. “Double-blind, controlled, crossover trial of inositol versus fluvoxamine for the treatment of panic disorder.” Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology. 2001 Jun;21(3):335-9. (source)
[xxiv] Levine J., Barak Y., Gonzalves M., Szor H., Elizur A., Kofman O., Belmaker R.H. “Double-blind, controlled trial of inositol treatment of depression.” American Journal of Psychiatry. 1995 May;152(5):792-4. (source)
[xxv] Carlomagno G., Unfer F., Buffo S., D’Ambrosio F. “Myo-inositol in the treatment of premenstrual dysphoric disorder” Human Psychopharmacology Volume 26, Issue 7 October 2011 Pages 526–530 (source)
[xxvi] Fux M., Levine J., Aviv A., Belmaker R.H. “Inositol treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder.” American Journal of Psychiatry. 1996 Sep;153(9):1219-21. (source)
This article may contain affiliate links for which I receive a small commission and you are doing your part to support the work of Nootropics Expert.
Should I cycle this?, like take for 7 days then a short break for say 3 days, and then back into it? or does this not matter, like can it have negative side effects just stopping it like that of an ssri or benzo because they cause brain dependency
like, do levels build up in the brain?
cheers
Jesse, there is no need to take an Inositol holiday for 3 days as long as you are using the dose that works for you and you are not experiencing any side effects. It does not “build up in the brain”, and you do not ‘detox’ when you quit using it. This is NOT a benzo or SSRI.
Hi David,
Inositol has been on my radar for quite some time. I’m ready to try it out as an adjunct to Adderall XR or Vyvanse 20 mg. I’m thinking of starting with 1-3 g at first to gauge the response. Have you any experience combining Inositol with a stimulant? Would like any feedback that you can provide.
Ayaz, Inositol boosts dopamine receptor density so it may improve the effectiveness of stimulants.
Hallow, what is the mechanism of action of inositol, is it a re-up take inhibitor or how does the antidepressants effect come into being? How does it increase serotonin in the brain…. Thanks
Inositol works as a “secondary messenger”. It facilitates communication between brain cells. All of your major neurotransmitters need inositol to relay messages. It is NOT a reuptake inhibitor. And Inositol increases serotonin and dopamine receptor density. It does not increase serotonin in your brain but with more receptors makes serotonin more effective.
And yes, you can use Inositol with a choline supplement.
Thanks David tomen…
Does this mean it’s safe to mix with serotonergic drugs? Or any drug for that matter? I can’t seem to find any data about interactions for it
Aryeh, there is no contraindication with drugs that affect serotonin and Inositol as far as I can tell from the published research.
David can you combine inositol with choline supplement
Excellent – what doses would you recommend of both with 18g of inositol? It’s a high dose, but what I seem to need to settle the anxiety. 1g ltrytophan and 1g lysine?
Meant
L-Tyrosine
Tom, 18 grams of Inositol was used in some clinical studies when they needed a result fast. You do not need nearly that much. I would not use any more than 2 – 3 grams per day of Inositol.
And 1 gram of L-Tryptophan may be safe. I find that I cannot use any more than 500 mg per day but each of us is different. 1 gram of Lysine sounds reasonable.
What about also taking ltrytophan with inositol? This way you have seratonin production as well as increasing receptors?
That sounds like a synergistic combo to me. And L-Tyrosine for dopamine to accommodate the new dopamine receptors when using Inositol.
Last question – Can you stack these amino acids and take at the same time? Or best to take each on empty stomach and spread out?
Don’t make things more complicated than they already are. If they are water soluble (most amino acids are) you can take them anytime. I personally have success with a stack at 8 am, noon and late afternoon and each stack includes several amino acids as well as the rest of the supplements I use at that time of day.
Hi David,
If I just want to take Inositol to help me sleep, can I just take it before bed rather than multiple times throughout the day?
What is a good dosage to take before bed?
Thank you!
Pan, try 1,000 mg.
Hi, I wanted to say thank you for creating this website with all this information! I was on an SSRI for decades and came off it 6 months ago. I am struggling with low serotonin now. I tried 750mg of Inositol this morning and I feel like my old self! My question is can you take this everyday long term, will it lose its potency? Also do you have to take it three times a day or will once a day last throughout the day? Does the effects wear off quickly is that why you have to take it 3 times a day?
Shay, you can use Inositol long-term and as long as you are careful with dosing you should not grow tolerant.
You’ll need to experiment with timing and see what works for you. Most use Inositol 3-times per day: morning, noon and later in the day. But you may be able to get the benefit you need using it only once or twice per day.
Hi David,
I have OCD and am considering taking inositol. Are you aware of it causing any side effects like weight gain?
Thanks, Saraya
Saraya, these are all the known side effects I am aware of for Inositol: https://nootropicsexpert.com/vitamin-b8-inositol/#side-effects
Hi David, I hope I’m wrong on this because most of your advice is spot on from what I’ve researched and also experimented with. However, you seem to contradict yourself on this one regarding Inositol since you advocate against using multivitamins that contain pixie dusting of vitamins/minerals. NutriGenesis® Multi for Men contains 25mg of Inositol while the dose needed for effects are over 100X that amount. Would you agree then that this is useless in the NutriGenesis® Multi similar the same as how low amounts of let’s say choline are just thrown in “other” popular whole food vitamins as sort of a gimmick? Honestly, I think the only multivitamin I have found that doesn’t contain useless amounts of anything is Legion Triumph… which is surprisingly a bodybuilding multi.
Joe, good call and observation.
The only problem when making this kind of call on Performance Lab supplements is there is usually a reason they use a particular dosage for an ingredient. And it is often because users of these supplements stack several supplements.
The formulator of these supplements is attempting to accommodate using more than one or two products in this lineup. And to keep dosages of each ingredient within useable and safe limits without overdosing an ingredient.
One more thing … The “form” of these ingredients are much more bioavailable than what you normally find in these types of supplements. And often work in synergy with other ingredients in the supplement which means you can use lower dosages of certain ingredients.
That said, Inositol has no recommended RDA as far as I know. It is used as a secondary messenger and is part of cell membranes among other jobs it undertakes. Some would say the lowest effective dose is at least 1,000 mg. But that is using it for a specific therapeutic purpose.
How much Inositol does our body and brain use every day? I haven’t seen a definitive answer to that question.
I have decided to change my stack a bit
in the morning when I wake up
DHA -1000MG
curcumin – bmc 95
Inositol – 1 gram
Vit D 2000 daily unless it’s sunny outside then I don’t take any
2-3 boil eggs
magnesium 400MG
In the evening before bed
lemon balm 450mg an hour before bed
Ashwagandha 300MG
not sure if taking inositol 1 gram before bed is okay?
L-theanine 400MG
just checking with you if this is alright making sure nothing will impact sleep or will conflict with each other
Thank you
Andy, I see no conflicts here as long as they work for you. And nothing before bed that would interfere with sleep.
David would like to know which of the three forms of potassium works best as a supplement, please, Potassium Gluconate, Potassium Citrate or Potassium Chloride? It is to complement a diet low in potassium, I have seen that you recommend Potassium Gluconate, from Now foods, in other comments but I read that it has a very low absorption rate compared to Potassium Chloride
Nancy, I suggested Potassium Gluconate because studies show it has over a 94% absorption rate: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27413123/
Hi david
I am currently on Performance Lab multi vitamins. I would like to add on some Inositol for reducing inflammation. Any recommended links which i can support you? Thanks.
Wong, that is very thoughtful of you and I thank you.
You need a combo of Myo-Inositol and D-Chiro-Inositol to fight inflammation. And I happen to like and use this company’s products: https://amzn.to/2Zf13kC
Hi David, wanted to know please if Inositol is fat soluble or water soluble? and also
– I like you to help me Please, I wake up always in the middle of the night
My stack is:
Before sleep: Glycine 3 grams, Taurine 1 gram, Magnesium Glycinate 400 mg, Inositol 2.5 grams, 500 mg Tryptofan
And
In the day: Two per Day Life Extension, DHA 1 Gram, vitamin K2 100 Mg, 500 mg Tyrosine
But none of this works for me, I can sleep quickly but I wake up at 4 in the morning very tired but I can’t go back to sleep
i beg for your help David i am desperate
Bilma, inositol is water soluble.
For sleep, please see my article here: https://nootropicsexpert.com/best-nootropics-for-sleep/ and here: https://nootropicsexpert.com/best-sleep-supplements-to-buy/
Try taking your Inositol during the day instead of before bed. You can also add 200 mg L-Theanine, 200 mg Lemon Balm, and if you still need help staying asleep try 20 mg CBD Oil (https://nootropicsexpert.com/cbd-oil/).
I personally use the Charlotte’s Web “Calm” gummies and have a link near the end of that CBD Oil review. They also have a “Sleep” gummy which I avoid because it contains synthetic melatonin. The Calm gummies work better for sleep in my opinion.
hello bilma, i had the same problem, what i understand is that it is caused my anxiety or a worry which you may not be aware of. I used all, homeopathy tincture of coffee cruda( made from coffee actually helps you sleep ) 200 potency, 2 drops in day , 2 before sleep. and i was able to sleep. do try, also make sure you arent having sleep apnea or snoring issue, cause that too wakes u up. For if u want to try homeopathy, go to a doctor, 200 is a dangerous potency, so use 30 , 2 drops 3 times a day.
Hello, Im taking Alpha gpc, can I take inositol with it??
I see you mention something about it.
Thank you !!
Christian, I’d like you to read my review for Alpha GPC and Inositol. Open each review in a tab side-by-side on a PC or tablet so you can easily compare the two supplements.
Compare how each one works in your brain then decide if they would compliment each other.
It’s easy for me to say yes or no but that will not help you understand why or how these supplements are benefiting you.
Hi Dave,
I currently take 8 grams a day for my OCD and panic attacks and it has helped me so much. Just worried if this is safe to take long term with my current dosage?
Chris, as long as it works for you it should not be a problem. There is no evidence that long-term supplementation of Inositol is anything but beneficial for many people.
Please do a page on Silexan!
Thanks
Abdul, great idea and I’ll add it to my list. Good find. Thanks.
Inositol has been suggested to my husband to help him with fatigue, tremors, restless legs, feelings of wanting to escape/explode and nightmares. Suggested dose is 1000 mg TID. From this article it looks like you recommend it more for mental health problems like depression and anxiety. What do you think of this recommendation for him?
Sharon, you didn’t mention who recommended Inositol to your husband. But it is certainly worth trying. The only downside he may not like is the potential for lowering libido in men. This side effect does not affect everyone.
I suggest you carefully read through this entire review from top to bottom and consider all the clinical evidence. As well as what people are saying about how they feel when they use Inositol. The only way you’ll know if it works or not is to try it.
David could you tell me please according to your experience in which cases it is more advisable to supplement with Taurine than with Inositol?, Since they share the effects of anti anxiety and both help sleep … I consume 100 Mg of Inositol in my Life Extension B Complex but I do not supplement with taurine
Nancy, Inositol is very different than Taurine in how it works in your brain. And both are necessary.
Look at the “Overview” section of each supplement. And then the “To The Rescue” sections. There are several very specific reasons why you would use Inositol including anxiety, OCD, depression, and to support SSRI use.
Taurine is more of a longevity/anti-aging supplement and used by many for energy and combating chronic fatigue among many other issues.
But to get the benefit for each you need to use recommended dosages. For Myo-inositol it’s up to 3 grams per day. And for Taurine it’s 500 mg – 2 grams per day.
I suggest experimenting with recommended dosages for both. Test them separately to make sure you don’t have a bad reaction. And if both work well for you then use both.
Thanks For Andwer me David, I take Ibuprofen to combat headaches due to lack of sleep, I use it twice or sometimes three days a week and it is very effective for me, does that have serious consequences for my health? Paracetamol is just as bad?
Nancy, the side effects for both of these drugs are serious and worth taking into consideration. I’m not a doctor and cannot advise you if you should use them or not. That is entirely up to you.
But I highly recommend carefully reading through the entire list of potential side effects for each drug. One site I find trustworthy is drugs.com which was founded by two New Zealand pharmacists. They have good descriptions for both drugs including side effects and contraindications with other drugs and supplements.
Does inositol lower blood sugar? Can I take it with “neem” a herb that supposedly lowers blood sugar as well
Shawn, Myo-inositol can help lower LDL-cholesterol (bad-cholesterol), C-reactive protein and blood glucose levels while increasing HDL-cholesterol (good cholesterol). You could use it with another blood sugar lowering supplement. But be careful you don’t lower it too much.
Hi David,
I appreciate your help in answering all of my questions on other articles! You say that it impacts libido by lowering T levels. I am buying this nice B-complex with only 300 mg of Myo-inositol per serving. Should I be worried about lower T levels and lower libido? Or is that such a small dose per day that it won’t do anything like that?
Thank you!
Rifat
Rifat, it’s highly unlikely you need to worry about 300 mg of myo-inositol affecting T-levels. It’s when you start using 3 grams per day that there “may” be some concern.