Can You Take Mucuna Pruriens and Vitamin B6 Together?

Dose or timing may matter

The short answer

Mucuna pruriens contains L-DOPA, and vitamin B6 accelerates L-DOPA's peripheral conversion to dopamine, reducing the amount available to reach the brain. This antagonizes mucuna's intended neurological and mood-enhancing effects.

How to arrange timing

Separate mucuna from high-dose B6 supplements; low dietary B6 levels are generally not a concern.

Reference

Reference noted for this combination: Katzenschlager R et al. Mucuna pruriens in Parkinson's disease. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2004;75(12):1672-1677

Important context

Whether supplements suit you together also depends on dose, product formulation, health conditions, and medication use. Ask a doctor or pharmacist first if you take medication, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have a chronic condition.