Loading…
We use essential cookies (authentication, your saved goals/stack) by default. With your permission we'll also enable privacy-respecting analytics (Vercel Web Analytics, anonymous load-time metrics) and error-replay diagnostics (Sentry — DOM snapshots only when an error fires) so we can fix bugs faster. Learn more
Head-to-head evidence comparison — which supplement is right for you?
Vitamin B6 wins 2 of 3 categories. Both are solid choices — the best pick depends on your specific goals.
Verdict
Probably helps
4 of 7 studies with measurable effects showed benefit.
Top outcomes
Verdict
Likely helps
9 of 11 studies with measurable effects showed benefit.
Top outcomes
150-300mg kavalactones daily
Evening for relaxation, 30-60 minutes before stressful events, Before bed for sleep
Water-extracted root powder or capsules
25-100mg daily
Morning with food, Can take with other B vitamins
P-5-P (Pyridoxal-5-Phosphate)
30-60 minutes
30-60 minutes
30-60 minutes
1-2 hours
2-4 weeks
1-2 cycles
Months of high doses
Herbal medicines in the treatment of psychiatric disorders: 10-year updated review
Phytotherapy research : PTR (2018) · Systematic review
Other encouraging herbal medicines with preliminary evidence include Curcuma longa (turmeric) in depression, Withania somnifera (ashwagandha) in affective disorders, and Ginkgo biloba (ginkgo) as an adjunctive treatment in Schizophrenia.
GABA-modulating phytomedicines for anxiety: A systematic review of preclinical and clinical evidence
Phytotherapy research : PTR (2018) · Systematic review
An open-ended search to 5 July 2017 was conducted using MEDLINE (PubMed), Scopus, and Cochrane library online databases and performed in a stepped format from preclinical to clinical investigations.
Herbal medicine for insomnia: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Sleep medicine reviews (2015) · Meta analysis · n=1602
There was no statistically significant difference between any herbal medicine and placebo, or any herbal medicine and active control, for any of the thirteen measures of clinical efficacy.
Dosage exploration of combined B-vitamin supplementation in stroke prevention: a meta-analysis and systematic review
The American journal of clinical nutrition (2024) · Meta analysis · n=76664
In areas without and with partial folic acid fortification, combined B-vitamin supplementation significantly reduced the risk of stroke by 34% [RR: 0.66; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.50, 0.86] and 11% (RR: 0.89; 95% CI: 0.79, 1.00), respectively.
Vitamin and mineral supplementation for maintaining cognitive function in cognitively healthy people in mid and late life
The Cochrane database of systematic reviews (2018) · Meta analysis · n=83000
We found that giving B vitamin supplements to cognitively healthy adults, mainly in their 60s and 70s, probably has little or no effect on global cognitive function at any time point up to 5 years (SMD values from -0.03 to 0.06) and may also have no effect at 5-10 years (SMD -0.01).
Drug Efficacy in the Treatment of Antipsychotic-Induced Akathisia: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis
JAMA network open (2024) · Meta analysis · n=492
No association between effect sizes and psychotic severity was found.
Based on multiple meta-analyses showing efficacy vs placebo with effect size comparable to benzodiazepines for mild-moderate anxiety. WS1490 extract showed OR=3.3 vs placebo. Effectiveness limited to 60% due to mixed results in some GAD populations and study quality limitations.
Based on systematic review of nutritional interventions for PMS psychological symptoms. Evidence quality limited by study heterogeneity and need for more consistent protocols.
AI-estimated from published studies. Interpret as directional guidance.
Vitamin B6 has a higher evidence score (9/10 vs 9/10) and wins in 2 of 3 categories.
For reduce anxiety & stress, Kava has a higher relevance score (90 vs 55).
No known interactions between Kava and Vitamin B6 have been documented in our database. However, always consult a healthcare provider before combining supplements.