Last update
5/7/2025

Overview

SCIENTIFIC SCORE
Possibly Effective
Based on 30 Researches
7.5
USERS' SCORE
Good
Based on 1 Review
8.5

Top Medical Research Studies

9
Folic acid alleviates postpartum anxiety
We explored how folic acid (FA) given during pregnancy influences anxiety and cognitive issues in postpartum mice. By administering FA at different doses, we observed noteworthy improvements in anxiety and cognitive performance among the mice that received a higher dosage.

Although overall development of the offspring was not marked by changes, the findings suggest that FA significantly activates brain pathways important for mood and memory. This points to potential benefits for postpartum women experiencing similar emotional challenges.
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We conducted a study to understand how high-dose vitamin D supplementation might impact anxiety levels, particularly in patients experiencing post-COVID symptoms. In our double-blind, randomized controlled trial, we enrolled 80 individuals dealing with fatigue or neuropsychiatric issues after COVID-19.

Participants were split into two groups: one received a weekly dose of 60,000 IU of vitamin D, while the other group received a placebo. Over eight weeks, we evaluated various outcomes, including anxiety levels using the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21).

The results were encouraging for the vitamin D group. We observed significant improvements in anxiety levels, with a notable reduction reported by participants. However, other measures related to sleep quality, depression, cognitive function, and inflammatory markers did not show similar significant changes.

Importantly, we found that the vitamin D group reported no serious adverse effects, indicating that this supplementation is generally safe. These findings suggest that high-dose vitamin D may offer substantial benefits for anxiety relief in patients recovering from COVID-19, albeit with limited effects on other symptoms.
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We examined if there is a connection between vitamin D levels and anxiety among US adults, utilizing data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) conducted between 2007 and 2012. The study included over 12,000 participants and employed sophisticated statistical methods to determine the relationship between serum vitamin D and anxiety.

Our analyses revealed that higher levels of serum vitamin D were associated with a lower risk of experiencing anxiety. Specifically, we found a significant inverse relationship; as vitamin D levels increased, the likelihood of anxiety decreased. This connection remained strong even after adjusting for various factors that could influence the results.

Furthermore, smooth curve fitting techniques confirmed a negative association between vitamin D and anxiety risk. Nonetheless, while these findings are promising, we emphasize the need for further prospective studies to validate these results and fully understand the implications of vitamin D on mental health.
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Most Useful Reviews

9
Astounding improvement
6 people found this helpful
I've been using Olly products for a year, and they have made an incredible difference. After switching from prescription anxiety and depression medications to Happy, my mood improved dramatically. I am very happy and will continue using these products.
Read More

Medical Researches

SCIENTIFIC SCORE
Possibly Effective
Based on 30 Researches
7.5
  • All Researches
9
Folic acid alleviates postpartum anxiety
We explored how folic acid (FA) given during pregnancy influences anxiety and cognitive issues in postpartum mice. By administering FA at different doses, we observed noteworthy improvements in anxiety and cognitive performance among the mice that received a higher dosage.

Although overall development of the offspring was not marked by changes, the findings suggest that FA significantly activates brain pathways important for mood and memory. This points to potential benefits for postpartum women experiencing similar emotional challenges.
Read More
9
DHA reduces anxiety risk
We explored the potential benefits of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in reducing anxiety among middle-aged and elderly adults. This was part of a larger study involving over 102,000 participants, where we assessed the impact of various polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) on mental health conditions, including anxiety and depression.

Our findings indicated that higher plasma levels of DHA, as well as omega-3 PUFAs in general, were linked to a lower risk of developing anxiety disorders. Specifically, we noted that participants in the highest quartile of PUFA levels, including DHA, showed a 14% reduction in the hazard of incident anxiety compared to those in the lowest quartile.

Further analysis of psychological symptoms revealed that those with elevated omega-3 PUFA levels, prominently DHA, experienced fewer adverse mental health issues. While we also considered white matter microstructures through neuroimaging with a subgroup of participants, the specific mechanisms behind DHA's positive effects on anxiety remain an area for future research.
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We investigated the effects of omega-3 fatty acids, particularly docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), on anxiety-like behaviors in juvenile mice subjected to a stress model. By exposing one-month-old C57/BL6 mice to alternating ultrasound frequencies designed to induce stress, we could observe the behavioral changes that occurred.

Mice were divided into two groups: one received a food supplement containing DHA and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), while the other group was given a placebo. After three weeks, we found that the stressed mice treated with the omega-3 supplement showed significant improvement. They displayed less anxiety-like behavior and did not show the typical signs of depression, such as decreased interest in sweet foods, which reflects anhedonia.

Interestingly, our analysis revealed that omega-3 supplementation seemed to counteract the negative effects induced by stress, likely due to its anti-inflammatory properties. In non-stressed mice, DHA also helped minimize anxiety symptoms, suggesting that these benefits could extend beyond just those experiencing stress. Overall, these findings suggest that omega-3 fatty acids like DHA may hold promise as a treatment approach for anxiety, particularly in vulnerable young individuals.
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We examined the effects of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), found in fish oil, on anxiety and mood in mice fed a high-fat diet. In our study, male C57Bl/6J mice were divided into groups, with some receiving a standard diet and others consuming a saturated high-fat diet (HFD) for 20 weeks. Over the last five weeks, half of the mice received daily doses of fish oil, while the others received a control corn oil.

What we discovered was quite revealing. The supplementation of fish oil rich in DHA—and another fatty acid, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)—not only reduced food intake and corrected glucose intolerance but also significantly improved anxiety and depressive-like behaviors in the mice. This was assessed through various behavioral tests that highlight changes in activity and mood.

Beyond the behavioral improvements, we observed that these dietary changes influenced brain chemistry as well. Fish oil supplementation promoted healthier brain lipid profiles and reduced markers of inflammation and microglial activation, which are known to be linked with a state of anxiety and depression.

These compelling findings suggest that incorporating DHA, alongside EPA, into our diets could potentially provide a natural way to alleviate mood and metabolic disorders triggered by obesity.
Read More
We conducted a study to understand how high-dose vitamin D supplementation might impact anxiety levels, particularly in patients experiencing post-COVID symptoms. In our double-blind, randomized controlled trial, we enrolled 80 individuals dealing with fatigue or neuropsychiatric issues after COVID-19.

Participants were split into two groups: one received a weekly dose of 60,000 IU of vitamin D, while the other group received a placebo. Over eight weeks, we evaluated various outcomes, including anxiety levels using the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21).

The results were encouraging for the vitamin D group. We observed significant improvements in anxiety levels, with a notable reduction reported by participants. However, other measures related to sleep quality, depression, cognitive function, and inflammatory markers did not show similar significant changes.

Importantly, we found that the vitamin D group reported no serious adverse effects, indicating that this supplementation is generally safe. These findings suggest that high-dose vitamin D may offer substantial benefits for anxiety relief in patients recovering from COVID-19, albeit with limited effects on other symptoms.
Read More

User Reviews

USERS' SCORE
Good
Based on 1 Review
8.5
  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Negative Reviews
9
Astounding improvement
6 people found this helpful
I've been using Olly products for a year, and they have made an incredible difference. After switching from prescription anxiety and depression medications to Happy, my mood improved dramatically. I am very happy and will continue using these products.
Read More

Frequently Asked Questions

No FAQs are available for this product and symptom.

References

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  2. Yin H, Zhang J, Chen Y, Guo J, Li Q, et al. Placenta-specific CYP11A1 overexpression lead to autism-like symptom in offspring with altered steroid hormone biosynthesis in the placenta-brain axis and rescued by vitamin D intervention. Brain Behav Immun. 2024;121:13. 10.1016/j.bbi.2024.07.012
  3. Domacassé D, de Rooij SR, Vrijkotte T, de Jonge A, Henrichs J. Associations Between Early-Pregnancy Vitamin D Status and Postpartum Depressive and Anxiety Symptoms. Psychosom Med. 2024;86:648. 10.1097/PSY.0000000000001328
  4. Wen Z, Bai L, Wu S, Chen J, Jama HA, et al. Association of serum vitamin D with anxiety in US adults: a cross-sectional study. Front Nutr. 2024;11:1371170. 10.3389/fnut.2024.1371170
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  7. Renteria KM, Constantine E, Teoh CM, Cooper A, Lozano N, et al. Combination of vitamin D and fructooligosaccharides upregulates colonic vitamin D receptor in C57BL/6J mice and affects anxiety-related behavior in a sex-specific manner. Nutr Res. 2024;125:16. 10.1016/j.nutres.2024.02.003
  8. Gammoh O, Ibrahim A, Yehya A, Alqudah A, Qnais E, et al. Exploring the Roles of Vitamins C and D and Etifoxine in Combination with Citalopram in Depression/Anxiety Model: A Focus on ICAM-1, SIRT1 and Nitric Oxide. Int J Mol Sci. 2024;25. 10.3390/ijms25041960
  9. Ni WH, Wang K, Wang Y, Lu J, Lu CT, et al. Long-term folic acid treatment relieves chronic inflammatory pain and pain-induced anxiety by reducing MMP2 expression in rats. Neuropharmacology. 2025;269:110352. 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2025.110352
  10. Marinina KS, Bezprozvanny IB, Egorova PA. A combination of chlorzoxazone and folic acid improves recognition memory, anxiety and depression in SCA3-84Q mice. Hum Mol Genet. 2024;33:1406. 10.1093/hmg/ddae079
  11. Rezaei Moghadam M, Khoshrou A, Kakhki S, Hosseini SH, Shirinzadeh Feizabadi A, et al. Folic Acid Ameliorates Anxiety- and Depressive-Like Behavior Induced by Nicotine Withdrawal Through Restoration of Behavioral and Biochemical Alterations in Adolescent Male Rats. Nicotine Tob Res. 2024;26:733. 10.1093/ntr/ntad227
  12. Marengo L, Barey A, Salguero A, Fabio MC, Cendán CM, et al. Neurobehavioral alterations induced by third-trimester gestation-equivalent ethanol exposure are inhibited by folate administration. Dev Psychobiol. 2023;65:e22426. 10.1002/dev.22426
  13. Kakhki S, Goodarzi M, Abbaszade-Cheragheali A, Rajabi M, Masoumipour AH, et al. Folic acid supplementation improved cognitive deficits associated with lithium administration during pregnancy in rat offspring. Int J Dev Neurosci. 2023;83:615. 10.1002/jdn.10289
  14. Shemirani F, Titcomb TJ, Saxby SM, Eyck PT, Rubenstein LM, et al. Association of serum homocysteine, folate, and vitamin B and mood following the Swank and Wahls elimination dietary interventions in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis: Secondary analysis of the WAVES trial. Mult Scler Relat Disord. 2023;75:104743. 10.1016/j.msard.2023.104743
  15. Zhang Q, Wei Z, Weng H, Chen Y, Zhang J, et al. Folic Acid Preconditioning Alleviated Radiation-Induced Ovarian Dysfunction in Female Mice. Front Nutr. 2022;9:854655. 10.3389/fnut.2022.854655
  16. Ono T, Hino K, Kimura T, Uchimura Y, Ashihara T, et al. Excessive folic acid intake combined with undernutrition during gestation alters offspring behavior and brain monoamine profiles. Congenit Anom (Kyoto). 2022;62:169. 10.1111/cga.12472
  17. Zhao T, Wu D, Du J, Liu G, Ji G, et al. Folic Acid Attenuates Glial Activation in Neonatal Mice and Improves Adult Mood Disorders Through Epigenetic Regulation. Front Pharmacol. 2022;13:818423. 10.3389/fphar.2022.818423
  18. Eszlari N, Bruncsics B, Millinghoffer A, Hullam G, Petschner P, et al. Biology of Perseverative Negative Thinking: The Role of Timing and Folate Intake. Nutrients. 2021;13. 10.3390/nu13124396
  19. Zhang Q, Huang Q, Yao L, Liu W, Ruan J, et al. Gestational Folic Acid Administration Alleviated Maternal Postpartum Emotional and Cognitive Dysfunction in Mice. Front Pharmacol. 2021;12:701009. 10.3389/fphar.2021.701009
  20. Mahdavifar B, Hosseinzadeh M, Salehi-Abargouei A, Mirzaei M, Vafa M. Dietary intake of B vitamins and their association with depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms: A cross-sectional, population-based survey. J Affect Disord. 2021;288:92. 10.1016/j.jad.2021.03.055
  21. Li Y, Hua L, Ran Q, Gu J, Bao Y, et al. Plasma Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Levels and Mental Health in Middle-Aged and Elderly Adults. Nutrients. 2024;16. 10.3390/nu16234065
  22. Gajdošová L, Katrenčíková B, Borbélyová V, Muchová J. The Effect of Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation and Exercise on Locomotor Activity, Exploratory Activity, and Anxiety-Like Behavior in Adult and Aged Rats. Physiol Res. 2024;73:461.
  23. Strekalova T, Radford-Smith D, Dunstan IK, Gorlova A, Svirin E, et al. Omega-3 alleviates behavioral and molecular changes in a mouse model of stress-induced juvenile depression. Neurobiol Stress. 2024;31:100646. 10.1016/j.ynstr.2024.100646
  24. Chang CH, Wu HC, Hsieh YR, Lai WD, Tung TH, et al. Modulatory effect of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on depressive-like behaviors in rats with chronic sleep deprivation: potential involvement of melatonin receptor pathway and brain lipidome. Food Funct. 2023;14:5977. 10.1039/d3fo01452e
  25. Mengelberg A, Leathem J, Podd J, Hill S, Conlon C. The effects of docosahexaenoic acid supplementation on cognition and well-being in mild cognitive impairment: A 12-month randomised controlled trial. Int J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2022;37. 10.1002/gps.5707
  26. Zambrano E, Rodríguez-González GL, Reyes-Castro LA, Bautista CJ, Castro-Rodríguez DC, et al. DHA Supplementation of Obese Rats throughout Pregnancy and Lactation Modifies Milk Composition and Anxiety Behavior of Offspring. Nutrients. 2021;13. 10.3390/nu13124243
  27. Tang Q, Li S, Fang C, Yu H. Evaluating the reparative effects and the mechanism of action of docosahexaenoic acid on azithromycin-induced lipid metabolism dysfunction. Food Chem Toxicol. 2022;159:112699. 10.1016/j.fct.2021.112699
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  29. Ponomarenko AI, Tyrtyshnaia AA, Pislyagin EA, Dyuizen IV, Sultanov RM, et al. N-docosahexaenoylethanolamine reduces neuroinflammation and cognitive impairment after mild traumatic brain injury in rats. Sci Rep. 2021;11:756. 10.1038/s41598-020-80818-9
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