Thread: B6 effectiveness

Ive been taking B6 for weeks and I've only had one vivid dream that I can remember, and that was the first time I took it. Does B6 lose effectiveness the mroe you guys take it and you kinda have to rest for awhile? Or does it depend on how much sleep you get which determines whether it will be effective or not? I really need to know because this is really discouraging me....

It works more effectively if you only take it once in a while. Make sure you are getting all of your B vitamins on a regular basis, then occasionally take some extra B6 before you go to bed, on a night that you know you will get a good night's sleep.

Originally Posted by azureone

Ive been taking B6 for weeks and I've only had one vivid dream that I can remember, and that was the first time I took it. Does B6 lose effectiveness the mroe you guys take it and you kinda have to rest for awhile? Or does it depend on how much sleep you get which determines whether it will be effective or not? I really need to know because this is really discouraging me....

A scientific study of B6 and dreams showed that B6 had no effect on dreams at dosage levels of 100mg. At 250mg there was a significant effect on vividness, bizarreness, emotionality, and color (though nothing was said about lucidity). On the other hand, the tolerable upper intake level for B6 is 100mg per day. Taken together, these two facts mean that B6 is a poor choice for a lucidity inducing substance.

If you are interested in substances that are safer and more effective, I would recommend "Advanced Lucid Dreaming" by Thomas Yuschak. He also has some freely available information on his website Advanced LD.

I made a post, which is actually at the top of this page, about B6 to help people use it more effectively.

Originally Posted by ExoByte

I made a post, which is actually at the top of this page, about B6 to help people use it more effectively.

According to your theory, B6 works because it leads to increased production of serotonin. Well, serotonin actually suppresses REM sleep, so the only mechanism by which it could induce lucid dreams is via REM rebound. But if it is REM rebound you want, 5-HTP or even melatonin would be vastly more effective, not to mention safer.

Would eatting a bananna and peanuts be an effective source of B6 if taken befiore bed?

and.....clementines

Originally Posted by Thor

According to your theory, B6 works because it leads to increased production of serotonin. Well, serotonin actually suppresses REM sleep, so the only mechanism by which it could induce lucid dreams is via REM rebound. But if it is REM rebound you want, 5-HTP or even melatonin would be vastly more effective, not to mention safer.

5-HTP is serotonin. What do you mean serotonin suppresses REM sleep..? Where are you getting this from..?
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Originally Posted by O'nus

5-HTP is serotonin. What do you mean serotonin suppresses REM sleep..? Where are you getting this from..?
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Actually, 5-HTP is a precursor to serotonin. And I got all of this from Thomas Yuschak who researched it and wrote a book about it.

Originally Posted by O'nus

5-HTP is serotonin. What do you mean serotonin suppresses REM sleep..? Where are you getting this from..?
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Just to follow up a bit on this. I did a search on Google, and I found this article: "Biogenic Amines and the States of Sleep", Michel Jouvet, Science 163 (862) pages : 32-41 (1969). A couple of relevant quotes from the article (my emphasis):

"In birds, whose blood brain barrier is permeable, intravenous injection of serotonin or noradrenalin leads to slow-wave sleep, as indicated by hehavior and by electroencephalographic recording (25)."

"The increase of cerebral serotonin (through intravenous or intraperitoneal injection of its precursor 5-hydroxytryptophan (5 HTP)) leads first to a state which resembles slow-wave sleep (28). However, this drug leads to a suppression of paradoxical sleep for 5 to 6 hours; the suppression is followed by a secondary rebound (29)"

Note that "paradoxical sleep" is better known today as REM sleep.

Originally Posted by Thor

A scientific study of B6 and dreams showed that B6 had no effect on dreams at dosage levels of 100mg. At 250mg there was a significant effect on vividness, bizarreness, emotionality, and color (though nothing was said about lucidity). On the other hand, the tolerable upper intake level for B6 is 100mg per day. Taken together, these two facts mean that B6 is a poor choice for a lucidity inducing substance.

If you are interested in substances that are safer and more effective, I would recommend "Advanced Lucid Dreaming" by Thomas Yuschak. He also has some freely available information on his website Advanced LD.

I searched 4 nationally peer-reviewed databases and failed to find a study similar to what you are talking about. Where is it? Is it recognized by the APA?
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Originally Posted by O'nus

I searched 4 nationally peer-reviewed databases and failed to find a study similar to what you are talking about. Where is it? Is it recognized by the APA?
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The paper is "Effects of pyridoxine on dreaming: a preliminary study." by Ebben, Matthew : Lequerica, Anthony : Spielman, Arthur. The full paper used to be available on the web, but I can't find it any longer. However, the abstract is available.

Originally Posted by Thor

The paper is "Effects of pyridoxine on dreaming: a preliminary study." by Ebben, Matthew : Lequerica, Anthony : Spielman, Arthur. The full paper used to be available on the web, but I can't find it any longer. However, the abstract is available.

So, Thomas Yuschak referenced this paper..? He's not involved with this specific study..?

Very interesting though. I will try to get this article for myself. The fact is I searched these databases and I found no publications involving vitamin b6 and dreaming. Thus, I think you may have shown me a promising opportunity for research!

For those still curious, I have done several studies with b6 (100mg) myself and have not felt it had any significant effect. However, this did not use the scientific method so there is possible bias (although, I am not inclined to either side). Same with melatonin - although it did help me sleep.

Thanks for sharing Thor!
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Originally Posted by O'nus

So, Thomas Yuschak referenced this paper..? He's not involved with this specific study..?

No, actually I don't think he mentioned that one. I found it myself while trying to "research" whether there was any point in trying B6, and I concluded that it wasn't. Yuschak seems to indirectly confirm this, since he seems to place very low emphasis on vitamins beyond the recommended daily allowance.