Does Vitamin B6 Actually Help with Nausea? The Science and Safety Explained

October 11, 2025 •

3 min read

According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), vitamin B6 is often recommended as a first-line treatment for morning sickness, a condition affecting up to 70% of pregnant people. For those experiencing queasiness, the question remains: Does vitamin B6 actually help with nausea?

Quick Summary

Studies show vitamin B6, or pyridoxine, is effective in reducing pregnancy-related nausea by regulating key neurotransmitters in the central nervous system. Its mechanism involves influencing brain chemicals that trigger the nausea reflex, offering gradual relief for mild-to-moderate symptoms.

Key Points

Effective for Pregnancy-Related Nausea: Clinical evidence and recommendations from health organizations confirm that vitamin B6 is an effective first-line treatment for morning sickness.
Balances Neurotransmitters: Vitamin B6 helps alleviate nausea by regulating brain chemicals like serotonin and dopamine that control the body's nausea reflex.
Proper Usage is Crucial for Safety: Adhere to recommended usage to avoid potential side effects, such as nerve damage, which can occur with excessively high intake.
Often Combined with Doxylamine: For more severe pregnancy nausea, vitamin B6 is frequently used in combination with doxylamine (e.g., Unisom) to enhance its antiemetic effects.
Food Sources are a Great Option: Incorporating vitamin B6-rich foods like chickpeas, bananas, and poultry into your diet is a safe way to support your body's needs.
Effectiveness Varies for Other Nausea Types: While effective for pregnancy nausea, evidence is less conclusive for other causes, like general or motion sickness.

The Science Behind Vitamin B6 and Nausea

Vitamin B6, also known as pyridoxine, is a water-soluble vitamin vital for various bodily functions, including metabolism and nervous system health. Its anti-nausea properties are linked to its role in producing key neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, which regulate the body's nausea response. By influencing these brain chemicals, B6 can help manage signals that cause nausea. This effect is most notable for pregnancy-related nausea and vomiting (NVP), also called morning sickness.

Vitamin B6 for Morning Sickness

Numerous studies support vitamin B6 as a treatment for morning sickness. The ACOG recommends it as a primary therapy for mild to moderate NVP. It's often combined with doxylamine, an antihistamine, for enhanced relief, a combination available in prescription and over-the-counter medications. Research indicates that pregnant women with morning sickness may have lower B6 levels, suggesting a connection between deficiency and symptom severity. While B6 helps reduce nausea, it may be less effective for vomiting, especially in severe cases.

Potential for Other Causes of Nausea

While strongly supported for pregnancy, B6's effectiveness for other nausea types varies. Some studies suggest benefits for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) in pediatric patients. However, evidence for nausea caused by oral contraceptives is less conclusive, with some research suggesting a potential placebo effect. For general nausea, the evidence is not as robust. Consult a healthcare provider before using B6 for non-pregnancy-related nausea.

Safety, Usage, and Side Effects

Vitamin B6 is safe at recommended dietary intakes and therapeutic uses under medical guidance. Always consult a healthcare provider for personalized guidance, particularly during pregnancy. Side effects are rare at standard usage, but prolonged high intake can cause nerve damage (neuropathy). Other potential effects include stomach upset, headache, and skin issues. High B6 intake should only be used under strict medical supervision.

Dietary Sources of Vitamin B6

A balanced diet is a good source of B6. Foods rich in this vitamin include:

Poultry: Chicken and turkey are good options.
Fish: Tuna and salmon are high in B6.
Chickpeas and Lentils: Excellent plant-based sources.
Potatoes and Sweet Potatoes: Provide significant B6.
Bananas: An easily digestible source.
Fortified Cereals: Many cereals are enriched with B vitamins.

Vitamin B6 vs. Other Nausea Remedies

Comparing B6 to other remedies highlights its specific uses.


Feature	Vitamin B6	Ginger	Dimenhydrinate (Dramamine)
Primary Use	Pregnancy-related nausea, some chemotherapy-induced nausea	Pregnancy-related nausea, motion sickness	Motion sickness, general nausea
Mechanism	Regulates neurotransmitter synthesis (serotonin, dopamine)	Multiple mechanisms, including potential GI tract effects	Blocks histamine H1 receptors in the brain
Effectiveness for NVP	Proven effective, especially for mild-to-moderate symptoms	Comparable to B6 for some symptoms, possibly better for nausea severity in some studies	Shown effective, though can cause significant drowsiness
Safety in Pregnancy	Considered safe at recommended usage	Generally considered safe, but consultation advised	Pregnancy category B, often used with B6
Common Side Effects	Minimal at therapeutic usage; nerve damage at high usage	Mild heartburn, gas	Drowsiness, dry mouth

Conclusion: How to Approach B6 for Nausea

To answer the question, Does vitamin B6 actually help with nausea?, the evidence strongly supports its use for mild-to-moderate pregnancy-related nausea, making it a safe and recommended first-line treatment. It works by influencing neurotransmitter activity to regulate the body's nausea response. While its efficacy for other types of nausea is less certain, it may be useful in specific cases like CINV. Proper usage is critical, as excessive intake can cause serious side effects. If experiencing persistent nausea, especially during pregnancy, consult a healthcare provider for personalized advice and to determine if combination therapy is needed. For more information on pregnancy care, refer to the guidelines from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG).

Frequently Asked Questions

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) often recommends vitamin B6 as a treatment for morning sickness. It's important to consult with a healthcare provider for personalized guidance on using vitamin B6 during pregnancy.

Vitamin B6 helps by assisting in the synthesis of neurotransmitters in the brain, like serotonin and dopamine, which are involved in regulating the body's nausea and vomiting reflexes.

Yes, when used according to recommendations and under a healthcare provider's supervision, vitamin B6 is considered a safe and effective treatment for morning sickness during pregnancy.

Yes, high intake can cause nerve damage, a condition known as neuropathy, leading to pain or numbness. It's crucial to follow guidance from a healthcare professional.

Vitamin B6 does not provide instant relief. It typically requires several days of consistent use to experience the full benefits for nausea.

Excellent food sources of vitamin B6 include chickpeas, fish (like tuna and salmon), poultry, potatoes, bananas, and fortified cereals.

The strongest evidence for vitamin B6's effectiveness is for pregnancy-related nausea. Its benefit for other types, such as motion sickness or general queasiness, is not as consistently supported by research.