A study led by researchers at the University of Reading has found that a daily high-dose vitamin B6 supplement could significantly reduce symptoms of depression within a month, offering a cheap and potentially side-effect-free alternative or supplement to existing treatments. This matters because depression remains one of the world's most common mental health conditions, yet many sufferers avoid conventional drug treatments due to side effects or perceived ineffectiveness, meaning an accessible, low-cost intervention could have significant public health and economic benefits.

The trial, published in the journal Depression and Anxiety, involved 268 participants who took either a 100mg tablet of B6, B12 or a placebo daily for one month. Those taking B6 who were depressed at the outset saw their symptom scores halve, an effect three times greater than the placebo group and five times greater than the B12 group; researchers believe this works by boosting mood-related brain chemicals such as dopamine, serotonin and GABA. Lead author Dr David Field called the results "a very large and robust effect" and said the findings, while only a proof of concept, justify a larger clinical trial, though he cautioned that high doses of standard pyridoxine supplements can cause nerve tingling and recommended the alternative form pyridoxal phosphate instead.