Andrew Huberman on Vitamin B6 (P-5-P)
4 episodes · 7 references · 2021–2023
- Huberman views vitamin B6 (P-5-P) primarily as a prolactin inhibitor that indirectly boosts dopamine, discussing it across multiple episodes - He has personally used ~200mg after major events to offset post-dopamine crashes - No best-practice or dosing protocol discussed beyond his own use; cautions about peripheral neuropathy at excessive doses
Consumption
- Huberman reports taking "a couple hundred milligrams" of vitamin B6 after major events to offset dopamine crashes - Used situationally rather than as a daily supplement - Specifically targets the post-event prolactin spike that causes low mood
Benefits
- Vitamin B6 is a potent prolactin inhibitor; by suppressing prolactin, it indirectly increases dopamine levels - P-5-P (active B6 metabolite) is explored as a way to buffer the dopamine crash after intense experiences - Some people use B6 to reduce the refractory period by lowering prolactin
Cautions
- Excessive B6 supplementation can cause peripheral neuropathy, a well-documented risk - People with diabetic neuropathy should be especially careful as B6 may exacerbate their condition - Huberman emphasizes avoiding "excessively high levels" without specifying an upper threshold
“After some major event, I would take a couple hundred milligrams of vitamin B6 to kind of offset some of that low.”
How to Increase Motivation & Drive
“B vitamins, in particular B6 or vitamin B6, can potently reduce prolactin levels. Prolactin and dopamine tend to work in kind of push-pull fashion.”
Optimize & Control Your Brain Chemistry to Improve Health & Performance | Huberman Lab Podcast #80
“Vitamin B6 is a fairly potent prolactin inhibitor. By way of inhibiting prolactin, it increases dopamine.”
How to Increase Motivation & Drive
“People have started to explore the use of things like P5P, which is essentially a metabolite of vitamin B6, which is known to suppress prolactin as a way to try and buffer some of that crash.”
The Science of MDMA & Its Therapeutic Uses: Benefits & Risks | Huberman Lab Podcast
“Some people take vitamin B6 in order to reduce prolactin levels and thereby reduce the duration of the refractory period.”
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