Inositol

Both support calm and relaxation

Enhanced anxiety relief

⟡ L-Theanine

Different mechanisms for anxiety reduction

Comprehensive anxiety support

Top studies from 38+ peer-reviewed papers

📚meta-analysisn=1319

Motuhifonua SK et al. • The Cochrane database of systematic reviews (2023)

“Evidence from seven studies shows that antenatal dietary supplementation with myo-inositol during pregnancy may reduce the incidence of gestational diabetes, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and preterm birth.”

Key Findings:

For the primary neonatal outcomes, only one study measured the risk of a large-for-gestational-age infant and found myo-inositol was associated with both appreciable benefit and harm (RR 1.40, 95% CI 0.65 to 3.02; 1 study, 234 infants; low-certainty evidence).
Further, myo-inositol may result in little to no difference in caesarean section (RR 0.91, 95% CI 0.77 to 1.07; 4 studies, 829 women; low-certainty evidence).
For the secondary neonatal outcomes, meta-analysis showed no neonatal hypoglycaemia (RR 3.07, 95% CI 0.90 to 10.52; 4 studies; 671 infants; very low-certainty evidence).
However, myo-inositol may be associated with a reduction in the incidence of preterm birth (RR 0.35, 95% CI 0.17 to 0.70; 4 studies; 829 infants).

📚meta-analysisn=1321

Wei J et al. • Nutrients (2022)

“In conclusion, 4 g MI nutritional supplementation per day during early pregnancy may reduce GDM incidence and severity, therefore may be a practical and safe approach for the prevention of GDM.”

Key Findings:

Pooled results were expressed as relative risk (RR) or mean difference (MD) with a 95% confidence interval (95% CI).
Compared with the control group, 4 g myo-inositol (MI) supplementation per day significantly decreased the incidence of GDM (RR = 0.30, 95% CI (0.18, 0.49), p < 0.00001).
It also decreased the need of insulin treatment, and reduced the incidence of preterm delivery and neonatal hypoglycemia.
However, no difference was observed between 1.1 g MI per day plus 27.6 mg D-chiro-inositol (DCI) per day and the control group regarding all evaluated results.

📚meta-analysisn=7760

Showell MG et al. • The Cochrane database of systematic reviews (2020)

“In this review, there was low- to very low-quality evidence to show that taking an antioxidant may benefit subfertile women.”

Key Findings:

Due to the very low-quality of the evidence we are uncertain whether antioxidants improve live birth rate compared with placebo or no treatment/standard treatment (odds ratio (OR) 1.81, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.36 to 2.43; P < 0.001, I2 = 29%; 13 RCTs, 1227 women).
This suggests that among subfertile women with an expected live birth rate of 19%, the rate among women using antioxidants would be between 24% and 36%.
Low-quality evidence suggests that antioxidants may improve clinical pregnancy rate compared with placebo or no treatment/standard treatment (OR 1.65, 95% CI 1.43 to 1.89; P < 0.001, I2 = 63%; 35 RCTs, 5165 women).
This suggests that among subfertile women with an expected clinical pregnancy rate of 19%, the rate among women using antioxidants would be between 25% and 30%.

📚meta-analysisn=4451

Morley LC et al. • The Cochrane database of systematic reviews (2017)

“Our updated review suggests that metformin alone may be beneficial over placebo for live birth, although the evidence quality was low.”

Key Findings:

Metformin versus placebo or no treatmentThe evidence suggests that metformin may improve live birth rates compared with placebo (OR 1.59, 95% CI 1.00 to 2.51, 4 studies, 435 women, I2 = 0%, low-quality evidence).
There was no clear evidence of a difference in miscarriage rates (OR 1.08, 95% CI 0.50 to 2.35, 4 studies, 748 women, I2 = 0%, low-quality evidence).
However, the combined therapy group had higher rates of clinical pregnancy (OR 1.59, 95% CI 1.27 to 1.99, 16 studies, 1529 women, I2 = 33%, moderate-quality evidence) and ovulation (OR 1.57, 95% CI 1.28 to 1.92, 21 studies, 1624 women, I2 = 64%, moderate-quality evidence).
Metformin versus clomiphene citrateWhen all studies were combined, findings for live birth were inconclusive and inconsistent (OR 0.71, 95% CI 0.49 to 1.01, 5 studies, 741 women, I2 = 86%, very low-quality evidence).

📊rctn=464

Compare with Others Find Based on Your Goals

van der Wel AWT et al. • JAMA (2025)

“Myo-inositol supplementation during pregnancy did not reduce the incidence of a composite of gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, or preterm birth in patients with PCOS.”

Key Findings:

Among 464 participants, the mean (SD) age was 31.5 (3.8) years; 18 participants (3.9%) reported Asian race and 395 (86.1%) reported White race.
The prevalence of biochemical hyperandrogenism was higher at baseline in the myo-inositol group than the placebo group (29.0% [53 of 180] vs 18.5% [37 of 193]).
A primary outcome event occurred in 25.0% (n = 56) of participants in the myo-inositol group and 26.8% (n = 61) in the placebo group (relative risk, 0.93 [95% CI, 0.68-1.28]; P = .67).

View all 38+ studies

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Inositol

vitamin

Myo-Inositol

Vitamin-like compound that supports mood, sleep, and hormonal balance, with strong evidence for anxiety, OCD, and PCOS.

mentalbodyanxietyOCDmoodPCOS

38+ studies

Evidence

Reviewed 19 days ago

high

Safety

2-4g for general anxiety; 12-18g for OCD/panic

Dose

4-12 weeks

Time to Effect

Myo-inositol powder (most economical for higher doses)

Best Form

Mechanisms of Action

🧠

Serotonin Signaling

Supports serotonin receptor function

📊

Insulin Signaling

Supports insulin sensitivity

📡

Cell Signaling

Critical for cellular communication

Biological PathwayBeta

How Inositol works — from molecular targets to health outcomes. Click an edge to see supporting research.This visualization is in beta — pathways are being refined and expanded.

Supplement

Molecular Target

Biological Process

Health Outcome

Strong

Moderate

Emerging

strong

moderate

emerging

Tap node to isolate • Pinch to zoom • Tap edge for research

Recommended Dose

2-4g for general anxiety; 12-18g for OCD/panic

2000mg18000mg

Optimal Timing

Divided into 2-3 doses
With or without food

Can be taken without food

Available Forms

Form	Type
🧪Myo-inositol powder (most economical for higher doses)	Recommended
💊Capsules	Alternative
💊D-chiro-inositol (for PCOS, in 40:1 ratio with myo)	Alternative

Powder dissolves well and tastes slightly sweet. For PCOS, combination of myo-inositol and D-chiro-inositol in 40:1 ratio is optimal.

Duration

Minimum: 4 weeks

Optimal: 12 weeks

Cycling: Not required

Note: Higher doses (12-18g) for OCD/panic need to be split throughout the day. For sleep, take portion before bed.

😌

Reduced Anxiety

Significant decrease in anxiety symptoms

⏱️ 4-6 weeks

65% of users notice thispositive

🔄

OCD Symptom Improvement

Reduced obsessive thoughts and compulsions

⏱️ 6-12 weeks

55% of users notice thispositive

⚖️

Hormonal Balance (PCOS)

Improved ovulation and metabolic markers

📅 3-6 months

60% of users notice thispositive

🤢

GI Effects

Nausea or loose stools at high doses

⏱️ First 1-2 weeks

25% of users notice thistrade-off

High SafetyMax safe dose: Up to 18g/day used in clinical trials

🟢

Pregnant/nursing

Used in PCOS fertility treatment; generally considered safe

🟡

Bipolar disorder

Use with caution; may trigger manic episodes

Who Should NOT Take This

Bipolar disorder (may trigger mania at high doses)

Drug Interactions

SSRIsmild

May have additive serotonin effects; often combined safely under supervision

Lithiummoderate

Lithium may reduce inositol levels; supplementation may be beneficial

Possible Side Effects

Nausea

mildcommon

Tip: Start low and increase gradually; take with food

Diarrhea

milduncommon

Tip: Reduce dose

Headache

milduncommon

Tip: Usually resolves with continued use

Warnings

High doses needed for OCD/panic — start low and titrate up
GI side effects common initially but usually improve
May trigger mania in bipolar disorder

⟡ Magnesium

Both support calm and relaxation

Enhanced anxiety relief

⟡ L-Theanine

Different mechanisms for anxiety reduction

Comprehensive anxiety support

Top studies from 38+ peer-reviewed papers

📚meta-analysisn=1319

Motuhifonua SK et al. • The Cochrane database of systematic reviews (2023)

“Evidence from seven studies shows that antenatal dietary supplementation with myo-inositol during pregnancy may reduce the incidence of gestational diabetes, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and preterm birth.”

Key Findings:

For the primary neonatal outcomes, only one study measured the risk of a large-for-gestational-age infant and found myo-inositol was associated with both appreciable benefit and harm (RR 1.40, 95% CI 0.65 to 3.02; 1 study, 234 infants; low-certainty evidence).
Further, myo-inositol may result in little to no difference in caesarean section (RR 0.91, 95% CI 0.77 to 1.07; 4 studies, 829 women; low-certainty evidence).
For the secondary neonatal outcomes, meta-analysis showed no neonatal hypoglycaemia (RR 3.07, 95% CI 0.90 to 10.52; 4 studies; 671 infants; very low-certainty evidence).
However, myo-inositol may be associated with a reduction in the incidence of preterm birth (RR 0.35, 95% CI 0.17 to 0.70; 4 studies; 829 infants).

📚meta-analysisn=1321

Wei J et al. • Nutrients (2022)

“In conclusion, 4 g MI nutritional supplementation per day during early pregnancy may reduce GDM incidence and severity, therefore may be a practical and safe approach for the prevention of GDM.”

Key Findings:

Pooled results were expressed as relative risk (RR) or mean difference (MD) with a 95% confidence interval (95% CI).
Compared with the control group, 4 g myo-inositol (MI) supplementation per day significantly decreased the incidence of GDM (RR = 0.30, 95% CI (0.18, 0.49), p < 0.00001).
It also decreased the need of insulin treatment, and reduced the incidence of preterm delivery and neonatal hypoglycemia.
However, no difference was observed between 1.1 g MI per day plus 27.6 mg D-chiro-inositol (DCI) per day and the control group regarding all evaluated results.

📚meta-analysisn=7760

Showell MG et al. • The Cochrane database of systematic reviews (2020)

“In this review, there was low- to very low-quality evidence to show that taking an antioxidant may benefit subfertile women.”

Key Findings:

Due to the very low-quality of the evidence we are uncertain whether antioxidants improve live birth rate compared with placebo or no treatment/standard treatment (odds ratio (OR) 1.81, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.36 to 2.43; P < 0.001, I2 = 29%; 13 RCTs, 1227 women).
This suggests that among subfertile women with an expected live birth rate of 19%, the rate among women using antioxidants would be between 24% and 36%.
Low-quality evidence suggests that antioxidants may improve clinical pregnancy rate compared with placebo or no treatment/standard treatment (OR 1.65, 95% CI 1.43 to 1.89; P < 0.001, I2 = 63%; 35 RCTs, 5165 women).
This suggests that among subfertile women with an expected clinical pregnancy rate of 19%, the rate among women using antioxidants would be between 25% and 30%.

📚meta-analysisn=4451

Morley LC et al. • The Cochrane database of systematic reviews (2017)

“Our updated review suggests that metformin alone may be beneficial over placebo for live birth, although the evidence quality was low.”

Key Findings:

Metformin versus placebo or no treatmentThe evidence suggests that metformin may improve live birth rates compared with placebo (OR 1.59, 95% CI 1.00 to 2.51, 4 studies, 435 women, I2 = 0%, low-quality evidence).
There was no clear evidence of a difference in miscarriage rates (OR 1.08, 95% CI 0.50 to 2.35, 4 studies, 748 women, I2 = 0%, low-quality evidence).
However, the combined therapy group had higher rates of clinical pregnancy (OR 1.59, 95% CI 1.27 to 1.99, 16 studies, 1529 women, I2 = 33%, moderate-quality evidence) and ovulation (OR 1.57, 95% CI 1.28 to 1.92, 21 studies, 1624 women, I2 = 64%, moderate-quality evidence).
Metformin versus clomiphene citrateWhen all studies were combined, findings for live birth were inconclusive and inconsistent (OR 0.71, 95% CI 0.49 to 1.01, 5 studies, 741 women, I2 = 86%, very low-quality evidence).

📊rctn=464

Compare with Others Find Based on Your Goals

van der Wel AWT et al. • JAMA (2025)

“Myo-inositol supplementation during pregnancy did not reduce the incidence of a composite of gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, or preterm birth in patients with PCOS.”

Key Findings:

Among 464 participants, the mean (SD) age was 31.5 (3.8) years; 18 participants (3.9%) reported Asian race and 395 (86.1%) reported White race.
The prevalence of biochemical hyperandrogenism was higher at baseline in the myo-inositol group than the placebo group (29.0% [53 of 180] vs 18.5% [37 of 193]).
A primary outcome event occurred in 25.0% (n = 56) of participants in the myo-inositol group and 26.8% (n = 61) in the placebo group (relative risk, 0.93 [95% CI, 0.68-1.28]; P = .67).

View all 38+ studies

What would you like to do next?

Related Supplements

Ash7.5

Ashwagandha

7.5/10

Reduces cortisol and anxiety while improving sleep quality and physical recovery in stressed adults.

Mi9.0

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First-line natural treatment for PCOS that improves insulin sensitivity and ovulation — also reduces anxiety, panic, and OCD symptoms.

Lth9.0

L-Theanine