Inositol for Anxiety
Sugar alcohol, not a true vitamin, involved in insulin signal transduction and cell membrane structure; myo-inositol is well studied for improving insulin sensitivity and ovulation in PCOS, and for reducing panic and anxiety symptoms.
Inositol for Anxiety
0 of 2 results reported a benefit, from 1 published study.
1 review of trials · the chart counts everything measured
- 2 no clear benefit
Colour keyReported a benefitNo clear benefitUnclearPossible harmAmber is for highlights, such as where the most research is. It never means a result was good.
- Anxiety and OCD symptomsNo clear benefit foundmeasurement not reportedInositol did not significantly improve anxiety or obsessive-compulsive symptoms compared to placebo.1 review of trials2014 study ↗
Also measured in these studies (1)
These were measured alongside, but they are not what this condition is about.
- Depression symptomsNo clear benefit foundmeasurement not reportedInositol did not significantly improve depressive symptoms compared to placebo.1 review of trials2014 study ↗
Side effects: measured in 1 result. No result reported more side effects than the comparison group.
These are the figures the studies reported, not a prediction for any one person. Where several studies measured the same thing in the same unit, we show a simple average and say so. Every result is listed below.
See every resultThe connection
Generalised anxiety, social anxiety and panic disorder.
Also known as: Myo-inositol, D-Chiro-inositol
Inositol × Anxiety: at a glance
Every published result for this pair, extracted and audited.
These charts count reported findings from published studies, grouped by reported benefit and study design. Study design is not a certainty grade.
Inositol / Anxiety: reported findings; one study may contribute several findings.
What the evidence shows
What this means: Counts describe research quantity, not treatment effectiveness or certainty.
| Category | Findings (count) |
|---|---|
| No benefit | 3 |
Study designs behind these findings
What this means: Counts describe research quantity, not treatment effectiveness or certainty.
| Category | Findings (count) |
|---|---|
| Meta-analysis | 3 |
- Studies
- 1
| Study | Outcome | Reported result | Uncertainty (as reported) | Study duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A meta-analysis of inositol for depression and anxiety disorders. (PMID 24424706) | Anxiety and obsessive-compulsive symptoms | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported |
| A meta-analysis of inositol for depression and anxiety disorders. (PMID 24424706) | Depressive symptoms | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported |
| A meta-analysis of inositol for depression and anxiety disorders. (PMID 24424706) | Treatment discontinuation | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported |
Study results, as reported by the publications
Every measured outcome, one row per finding - numbers exactly as reported. Units are preserved where supplied; missing units are not inferred.
| Study and type | Reported sample and duration | Outcome measured | Reported result | What studies found |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PMID 24424706 2014 Meta-analysis | Sample (as reported): Not reportedDuration: Not reported | Anxiety and obsessive-compulsive symptoms | Not reported | No benefit |
| PMID 24424706 2014 Meta-analysis | Sample (as reported): Not reportedDuration: Not reported | Depressive symptoms | Not reported | No benefit |
| PMID 24424706 2014 Meta-analysis | Sample (as reported): Not reportedDuration: Not reported | Treatment discontinuation | Not reported | No benefit |
Inositol × Anxiety: the evidence base
Hand-selected PubMed studies, linked to the originals.
Ordered by strength of evidence, then result direction.
01Comparison of metformin with inositol versus metformin alone in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trialsKelly FA, et al. · Endocrine · 2025PMID 39331347 ↗02Transdiagnostic reduction in cortical choline-containing compounds in anxiety disorders: a (1)H-magnetic resonance spectroscopy meta-analysisMaddock RJ, et al. · Molecular psychiatry · 2025PMID 40913113 ↗03Effects of Different Cannabinoid Formulations on Anxiety-Related Disorders, and Tourette Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-AnalysisRaminelli AO, et al. · Cannabis and cannabinoid research · 2025PMID 40956670 ↗04Effectiveness of Cannabidiol to Manage Chronic Pain: A Systematic ReviewMohammed SYM, et al. · Pain management nursing : official journal of the American Society of Pain Management Nurses · 2024PMID 37953193 ↗05Inositol for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis to Inform the 2023 Update of the International Evidence-based PCOS GuidelinesFitz V, et al. · The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism · 2024PMID 38163998 ↗06Psychosocial and medication interventions to stop or reduce alcohol consumption during pregnancyMinozzi S, et al. · The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · 2024PMID 38682758 ↗Community experiences
Contributors volunteered; this does not establish treatment effectiveness or population incidence.
Reported changes
No publishable community breakdown is available. This does not establish that no reports exist.