Inositol Side Effects, Safety Warnings & Contraindications

Are Inositol side effects significant enough to cause concern?

This popular and common mental health supplement is purported to be a gentle and natural way to lift mood.

Inositol is naturally produced in the body and is supplied by many staple food products, but in recent years Inositol supplements have become a go-to remedy for quick relaxation.

This pseudovitamin has been used for anxiety, panic attacks, depression, and generally elevating the mood. Not only that, but research has shown that in the body inositol lowers cholesterol levels, helps burn fat, plays a role in hair growth, and improves lithium-induced side effects.

But is there a downside? Let’s take a look at the chemistry and benefits of this natural mood lifter, as well as any possible side effects of supplementation, and some common Inositol stacks.

Inositol

Nutrient Supplement

Brain Health

Mood

Weight Loss

How It Works:

• Supports brain & liver health
• Involved in mood regulation & nerve signalling
• Improves insulin sensitivity for PCOS, fertility & weight loss

Dosage:

Between 500 mg - 18 g per day

Safety:

Rated Possibly Safe

Top Inositol Products* ❯

View User Ratings* ❯

Why Do People Take Inositol?

Inositol is frequently taken as a part of daily regimen to keep anxious thoughts at bay, while making daily activities energetic, engaging, and fun.

Taking Inositiol may enhance natural energy, especially when taken just before any activity that will subject the body and mind to stress. This can include both physical exercise and social situations, such as an important business function or party.

Work stress and social anxiety may be improved with Inositol supplements, while any related Inositol side effects seem to be either very limited or non-existent. A common practice is to carry some Inositol pills in a purse or backpack, and whenever unexpected stress arises in a given day, a small dosage of the supplement will immediately mitigate feelings of tension.

To a lesser extent, some people also take Inositol for its effect on metabolism and weight loss. In addition to the mental energy the supplement proves, it also mildly acts as a fat burner. For this reason, Inositol is frequently recommended on health and fitness websites as a strategy to improve focus while maximizing workout gains.

Do We Know How Inositol Works?

Inositol, when taken in the form of a supplement or non-grain food sources, is readily available to the blood. Once there it plays several vital roles, strengthening cell walls, breaking down excess fats, and transporting lipids.

It also unlocks calcium in the brain, triggering the activity of neurotransmitters like Serotonin. Inositol fosters the growth of neural structures. Then, it becomes an important facilitator for gene expression and signaling.

Our bodies have been tuned to use this compound from food sources over thousands of generations of evolution. As such, almost no immediate Inositol side effects seem to arise from taking this nutrient, such as headaches or hyperactive thoughts.

Just the opposite – Inositol’s action in the brain can reduce feelings of stress. To this end, it is believed that Inositol also activates GABAergic receptor sites, initiating the same inhibitory stress-relieving response that the natural neurochemical GABA does.

Because the body can make inositol under normal circumstances, deficiencies are rare, but in certain situations (such as prolonged antibiotic or lithium use) can occur. Inositol deficiencies have been linked to some cases of bipolar disorder and depression.

In less severe cases, low Inositol can simply result in feeling poor energy, negativity, and low mood. You are more likely to incur side effects like these by not having enough Inositol as opposed to any negative reactions connected to its use. It is a critical component of a healthy neural landscape.

The Natural Medicines database has rated Inositol as Possibly Effective for improving lithium-induced side effects, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder, polycystic ovary syndrome, and respiratory distress syndrome in premature infants. Research on supplemental Inositol has been promising, however more large-scale studies are still needed to confirm the results of smaller studies.

At this time, the FDA has not approved Inositol as a drug to prevent or treat any conditions. Inositol is available as a dietary supplement only.

Inositol Side Effects and Risks

The good news about supplementing with Inositol is that it has very few side effects if any at all. Orally, inositol is generally well tolerated. The most common Inositol adverse effects that have been documented are nausea, tiredness, headache, dizziness, and diarrhea, but these effects are normally only seen in the case of massive doses.

Inositol is water soluble, which means that body is able to expel any excess amount before it can achieve levels of toxicity. Given Inositol’s prevalence in common human food sources, you have likely consumed many kilograms of this nutrient in the past without experiencing any dangerous effects.

Can Inositol Be Safely Combined With Other Supplements?

There are currently no known interactions with Inositol and any medications, supplements, or herbs. Inositol is not only safe to take with other supplements, it actually makes the perfect complement in a variety of nootropic stacks. Perhaps the most common combination is pairing Inositol with any Choline supplement, such as Alpha GPC or CDP Choline.

Choline is the precursor for Acetylcholine, the neurotransmitter which generates a full range of cognitive enhancements such as improved memory and learning abilities. When combined with Inositol, Choline supplements work to create a high-functioning mental environment where thoughts are sharp and clear. They also work together to enhance the mood and eliminate stress.

Other common Inositol stacks include: Inositol with Aniracetam and Sulbutiamine for depression; Inositol and caffeine for weight loss; and the pairing of Inositol with Choline Bitartrate and Biotin for healthy liver function. No additional Inositol side effects are generated by these stacks, though individual sensitivities to the other nootropic components included should be noted and respected.

Overall, Inositol has been used safely and effectively for decades as a calming, brain-enhancing supplement. But the real proof of its safety is the thousands of years of effective use from food sources we all enjoy.

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