Andrew Huberman on Inositol
13 episodes · 32 references · 2021–2025
- Huberman takes 900mg myo-inositol every third night for sleep and considers it a significant addition to his sleep stack - He discusses inositol extensively for anxiety reduction (on par with prescription antidepressants), sleep quality, fertility/PCOS support, and OCD symptom relief - No evidence of him recommending against inositol; cautions are limited to high-dose GI discomfort and avoiding use before exposure therapy sessions
Consumption
- Takes 900mg myo-inositol every third night before sleep as part of his sleep stack - Reports remarkably deep sleep and easier return to sleep after middle-of-night waking - Notes it is especially effective when eating fewer carbohydrates
Benefits
- Anxiety reduction at high doses (10-18g) shown to be on par with prescription antidepressants; partial OCD symptom relief in as little as two weeks - Enhances slow-wave sleep depth and architecture at 900mg; Huberman reports improved daytime focus and alertness - Myo-inositol (1-5g/day) improves egg and sperm quality via insulin sensitivity; D-chiro-inositol helps balance androgens in PCOS
Best Practices
- For sleep: 900mg myo-inositol before bed, particularly effective on low-carb diets - For anxiety: 12-18g daily for a full month, based on clinical study dosing - For fertility: myo-inositol 1-5g/day; D-chiro-inositol at 1/25th to 1/40th of the myo-inositol dose
Cautions
- High doses (10-18g) can cause significant gastric discomfort - Avoid taking before exposure therapy sessions where anxiety amplification is the therapeutic goal - No other safety concerns or contraindications discussed
“I personally take inositol at 900 mg of myo-inositol every third night or so in order to improve my sleep. It also seems to have a fairly potent anti-anxiety effect during the day.”
The Science & Treatment of Bipolar Disorder | Huberman Lab Essentials
“I find that if I wake up in the middle of the night and I've taken 900 milligrams of myo-inositol before initially falling asleep, I fall back asleep much more easily. It is especially effective for enhancing sleep when ingesting fewer carbohydrates.”
Dr. Andy Galpin: Optimal Nutrition & Supplementation for Fitness | Huberman Lab Guest Series
“I've been taking 900 milligrams of inositol as an addition to my existing toolkit for sleep.”
The Science & Treatment of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
“I personally take inositol not because I have bipolar disorder, but I take inositol, a 900 milligrams of myo-inositol every third night or so in order to improve my sleep.”
The Science & Treatment of Bipolar Disorder
“The sleep I've been getting on inositol is extremely deep and does seem to lead to enhanced levels of focus and alertness during the day.”
The Science & Treatment of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
“...900 milligrams of Inositol can improve sleep and can reduce anxiety perhaps when taken at that dosage or higher dosages.”
The Science & Treatment of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) | Huberman Lab Essentials
“Inositol has been shown to create a very notable decrease in anxiety symptoms, with a potency on par with many prescription antidepressants.”
Erasing Fears & Traumas Using Modern Neuroscience | Huberman Lab Essentials
“Myo-inositol has been studied in many cases for its role in controlling anxiety, that is for reducing anxiety.”
AMA #2: Improve Sleep, Reduce Sugar Cravings, Optimal Protein Intake, Stretching Frequency & More
“Eighteen grams of inositol taken for a full month is the dose used in studies, and it does take some time for these symptoms of anxiety to be improved.”
Erasing Fears & Traumas Using Modern Neuroscience | Huberman Lab Essentials
“Myoinositol at dosages of 1 to 5 grams per day... has been suggested to improve egg quality and sperm quality.”
How to Optimize Fertility in Males & Females
“The dosages of D-chiro-inositol that are recommended tend to be 1/25th to 1/40th of the myoinositol dose.”
How to Optimize Fertility in Males & Females
“Inositol is known to be pretty effective in reducing anxiety, but when taken at very high dosages... like even 10 or 12 grams per day.”
The Science & Treatment of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
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