Lewis Alan Opler

Can too much vitamin B12 cause insomnia?

I have seen several patients who take vitamin B12 as a supplement who have developed insomnia. I am trying to find evidence supporting causality.

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This can happen on the day they take methylcobalamine, specially if the take it late in the afternoon. Injections with hydoxycobalamine don't give this reaction.

Also, if they use b12 (all kinds) without the other b vitamins, they create a deficiency in the latter. That also can cause insomnia.

All Answers (13)

International Center of Revitalization and Rejuvenation LLC "La Lik

Yes, when using excessive doses of vitamins of group B is the development of intoxication of the human body. Hypervitaminosis of vitamins B1, B2 and B6, can cause fatty liver. Among the elements of group B are the most toxic B6 and B12. Allergic reactions are observed, mainly, the overabundance of vitamins B1, B2, B6 and B12.

When taking large amounts of b vitamins may develop intoxication in the form of General excitement, insomnia, increased frequency of pulse, headache, dizziness, sometimes develop seizures.

From insomnia work well melaxen along with glycine.

Üsküdar University, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

If tehere is a vit B12 deficiency in your body taking B12 preperats help to insomnia, but if there is high B12 level in serum, taking B12 cause insomnia. Because of intoxication generally causes ajitation and so insomnia.

Ministry of Health (Israel)

I agree that unnecessary doses of vitamins of B-group may cause insomnia because of the extra-stimulating effect on the CNS.

International Center of Revitalization and Rejuvenation LLC "La Lik

Hypothesis: if added to TOO MUCH VITAMIN B12, SAMe will exacerbate adverse effects of hypervitaminosis including insomnia, anxiety, frequent urinatiion.

QUESTION: IS THERE ANY EVIDENCE, CLINICAL OR PRECLINICAL, SUPPORTING OR REFUTING THIS HYPOTHESIS?????

Centre Hospitalier Emile Mayrisch

As far as I know, no consistent data exist on B12 hypervitaminosis. It might well be that chronic overdose leads to toxic effects as described, but as well that people are taking vitamins to do themselves something good when in depressed and anxious mood.

Dirk

Vitamins if taken in too high doses for too long can cause problems

Lew

Dear Lew,

papers on this issue:

The Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine

I understand that I am an "n of 1", but I had normal serum vitamin B12 and got a B12 injection to help a friend with graduation requirements yesterday. Last night I experienced extreme restlessness, increased urination and am feeling slightly anxious today which is very unlike me. It is incredibly hard to find literature on the topic but I cannot attribute this to anything else.

I've noticed insomnia by some people using methyl b12, but not by people using hydroxocobalamine.

I always advice to take it together with methylfolate or folinic acid and a b-complex.

Universidad Tecnológica de Pereira

The world of micronutrients still has many gaps, and the specific case of vitamin b12 is particularly complex given the clinical importance of its levels, which are low, but also high. In this sense, in complement to the debate question, I want to share with you the following manuscript detailing the aspects associated with high levels of vitamin b12.

Universidad Tecnológica de Pereira

The world of micronutrients still has many gaps, and the specific case of vitamin b12 is particularly complex given the clinical importance of its levels, which are low, but also high. In this sense, in complement to the debate question, I want to share with you the following manuscript detailing the aspects associated with high levels of vitamin b12.

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