Vitamin B6 & Your Brain

Have you ever experienced that wonderful feeling when you taste your favorite food? Or engage in a beloved hobby? That's dopamine and other neurotransmitters being released.

But how exactly do they work? And what's the link between these neurotransmitters and Vitamin B6? Well, it's a beautiful science, really! Dopamine, Serotonin, GABA, Tryptophan, and Norepinephrine are all either metabolized or formed by enzymes that rely on the active form of Vitamin B6 (Coenzyme Pyridoxal Phosphate, or PLP).

Here's what you need to know:

What is dopamine and what's the role of Vitamin B6 in supporting mood?

Dopamine, a neurotransmitter, is synthesized through complex processes that require several nutrients, including Vitamin B6.*¹

Simply put, Vitamin B6 can help your body produce dopamine. In turn, dopamine is used by your entire nervous system to send messages (to communicate) between nerve cells. It's the reason why dopamine is often viewed as a 'chemical messenger.'*

You probably also heard or read about dopamine as one of the 'feel-good hormones,' as it plays a role in all your three brain's reward systems. That's because dopamine is commonly associated with feeling good and joyful. It can be 'boosted' naturally by doing things you enjoy, such as listening to music, exercising, and sleeping well!*

Did you know?

Enteric Nervous System (ENS): Often referred to as the "3rd brain," the gut contains dopamine-producing cells. The Enteric Nervous System, which governs the gastrointestinal system, produces a substantial amount of the body's dopamine. This dopamine influences gut motility, secretion, and the gut-brain axis, affecting overall mood and cognitive functions.* 

How about serotonin?

Vitamin B6 is also essential in the production of serotonin—another neurotransmitter extensively studied for its potential role in mood regulation.*

In addition to mood regulation, serotonin plays a crucial role in regulating sleep. It contributes to the body's sleep-wake cycle, helping to establish a regular sleep pattern.*

And when serotonin levels go down? According to research, imbalances in serotonin levels may lead to trouble falling and staying asleep and poor sleep quality.*²

Vitamin B6 also contributes to Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA) synthesis.*

Typically, when we talk about nootropics, we also talk a lot about GABA and how important this neurotransmitter can be for your cognitive health.*

GABA works by inhibiting specific nerve activity. In simpler terms, it can act as a 'brake' for the head-brain, slowing down nerve activity when things get too hectic.*

What’s really interesting is how ongoing research shows how a B6 deficiency could lead to a decrease in GABA concentration in the brain. In other words, it may become more difficult for your body to control mood, sleep, and cortisol levels when B6 levels are low.*^3,4

There is a growing interest in how Vitamin B6 may benefit our entire head-heart-gut axis.

A considerable amount of research suggests that enough Vitamin B6 may boost memory and help keep our Head [1st Brain] sharp as we age. And while most studies so far focused on the link between Vitamin B6 levels and potential cognitive benefits, the more recent research may have found that Vitamin B6 could, in fact, support our entire brain network:*

Head [1st Brain]

As explained before, Vitamin B6 can be crucial to your head-brain health (our Mental Intelligence Center responsible for 'Logic & Intellect') due to its role in neurotransmitter synthesis. Adequate levels of Vitamin B6 have been associated with improved memory performance and reduced risk of cognitive decline, particularly in seniors. Studies have shown that Vitamin B6 supplementation may help support cognitive health and neuroplasticity—the brain's ability to adapt and reorganize itself.*^5,6

Heart [2nd Brain]

Vitamin B6 contributes to heart health (our Emotional Intelligence Center responsible for 'Emotions & Feelings') by regulating Homocysteine levels. High Homocysteine levels may be linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular challenges. Vitamin B6 (along with other B vitamins like B12 and Folate) can help convert Homocysteine to Methionine, lowering blood levels. Therefore, research seems to indicate that adequate intake of Vitamin B6 may reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular challenges by maintaining healthy Homocysteine levels and supporting overall heart health.*^7,8,9,10

Gut [3rd Brain]

The gut-brain axis is a complex communication network that links your gastrointestinal system (our Physical Intelligence Center responsible for 'Instinct & Intuition') with the central nervous system. Vitamin B6 may play a role in this axis by influencing gut health and function. It is involved in the production of neurotransmitters that affect gut motility and digestive processes. Furthermore, Vitamin B6 supports the synthesis of hemoglobin (needed for oxygen transport and energy metabolism in the gut).*^11,12

B6 deficiency? Yes, it can be avoided.

A Vitamin B6 deficiency can have a significant impact on your brain health.

Luckily, deficiencies are uncommon in some countries. Still, certain groups of people can still be at risk.

So, what can cause a Vitamin B6 deficiency? Well, there are a few culprits.

→ For example, those with poor intestinal absorption. People taking non-natural substances may also struggle with nutrient absorption.*

→ Tension, mental load, and lack of sleep can also contribute to a deficiency. When you're under constant pressure or not getting enough sleep, your body may need more of this nutrient to compensate.

→ Plus, many deficiencies in Vitamin B6 are typically associated with low levels of other B vitamins, such as Vitamin B12 and Folate.*

And in case of deficiency, it's not just your cognitive ability that may be affected. Your immune system may also be weakened, making you more susceptible to health challenges.*

And for those looking to fill the gaps, our HCF® advanced nootropics can be an excellent choice to complement your dietary intake.