Inositol: Benefits, Side Effects, Dosage, and Interactions

Inositol is a type of sugar that influences both the body's insulin response and several hormones associated with mood and cognition. It's often referred to as vitamin B8, but it is not actually a vitamin.

Inositol is found naturally in cantaloupe, citrus fruit, and many fiber-rich foods (such as beans, brown rice, corn, sesame seeds, and wheat bran). It is also sold in supplement form and used as a complementary therapy to treat a wide range of medical conditions, including metabolic and mood disorders.

D-chiro-inositol, inositol hexaphosphate (often referred to as "IP6"), and the compound myo-inositol are the most widely used inositol supplements. They are generally considered safe if taken appropriately.

Keep reading to learn more about the potential mental health benefits and uses of inositol. Also, learn more about the dosage, preparation, possible side effects, and interactions you should consider before taking this substance.

Potential Mental Health Benefits of Inositol

Inositol plays an important part in cell growth and functioning. Some research has found that inositol may have a number of health benefits, including relieving symptoms of depression. Some research also indicates that inositol might help relieve anxiety and symptoms of panic disorder.

It is important to note, however, that much of this research is preliminary and results are sometimes mixed. For example, one study concluded that while inositol showed some promise for panic disorder, the evidence does not support the use of inositol as a treatment.

Other Potential Health Benefits

Lowering the risk of metabolic syndrome, which is a risk factor for a number of conditions, including increased belly fat, high blood pressure, and high blood sugar

Lowering high cholesterol

Helping the body regulate and process insulin

Reducing the risk of gestational diabetes

Mental Health Uses for Inositol

What is inositol used for? Alternative health providers recommend inositol supplements for a wide range of health conditions, including mood disorders, anxiety, ADHD, and PTSD. There is some research that inositol may benefit some disorders, including mental health concerns, PCOS, and metabolic disorders.

How inositol affects mental health conditions is not clear. Some research indicates that inositol might play a part in the development of certain mental health conditions, although the exact mechanisms are not well understood and more research is needed. It has been suggested that inositol might influence depression, anxiety, and other mental disorders by impacting "feel-good" hormones serotonin and dopamine.

Several studies have investigated the use of inositol as an add-on treatment alongside selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which are used to treat a variety of depressive and anxiety disorders. However, results have not demonstrated an antidepressant effect.

Depression

Inositol may have some positive effects for depression, but it is important to note that the evidence remains inconclusive. One study found that myo-inositol concentration in blood might be a reliable marker for clinical depression.8

While an earlier double-blind study found that a daily 12-gram dose of inositol improved depression scores compared to people provided a placebo, the results have not been replicated elsewhere.9

Panic Disorder

The compound has also been investigated for its potential impact on anxiety conditions. The benefits have mostly been seen in people with panic disorder in whom depression is common. A small study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology investigated the effect of myo-inositol on 20 people with panic disorder.10

After being provided a daily 18-gram dose of myo-inositol for four weeks, the participants were given a daily 150-mg dose of Luvox (fluvoxamine)-a commonly prescribed psychiatric drug-for the four weeks. Compared to a matched set of individuals not given myo-inositol, those who were given myo-inositol had an average of 2.4 fewer panic attacks per week.

However, more research is needed to better understand the impact inositol might have on anxiety disorders.

Bipolar Disorder

While research is limited, some studies suggest that inositol might have the potential to reduce symptoms of bipolar disorder. In one study, children affected by bipolar conditions experienced fewer symptoms of depression and mania after taking inositol and omega-3 fatty acids for 12 weeks.11

The compound has also been found to reduce psoriasis symptoms in people taking lithium, a drug commonly prescribed to treat bipolar disorder, depression, schizophrenia, and eating disorders. Depending on the usage, lithium-induced psoriasis can affect anywhere from 3% to 45% of people who take lithium.