Has a multivitamin cured my procrastination issues?

October 24, 2018 1:53 AM

I started taking a decent quality lady-formula multivitamin a couple of weeks ago. No previous supplements taken. Now, with no other changes in diet, routine or exercise habits, some dire and longstanding procrastination problems just aren't an issue any more. I decide to do a task, do it and it's done. This is unheard of for me. Is something in the vitamins causing this or just a coincidence? Obviously I want these effects to continue!
posted by doornoise to Health & Fitness (10 answers total)

Best answer: Does the multivit contain iron? It’s possible you were anemic. When I was pregnant I was found to be severely anemic and after a week or so on iron supplements I felt like superwoman.
posted by pintapicasso at 2:20 AM on October 24, 2018 [2 favorites]

Best answer: Maybe the B complex vitamins (B6 and B12 particularly). When I am low on B vitamins, a supplement always perks me up and helps me get shit done.
posted by Thella at 2:31 AM on October 24, 2018 [4 favorites]

Best answer: D3 deficiency can also have this effect.
posted by I claim sanctuary at 4:49 AM on October 24, 2018 [5 favorites]

Best answer: There is some peer-reviewed data that finds that micro-nutrient levels are "significantly altered" in kids with ADHD, and there has been some success with treating ADHD symptoms by addressing these nutritional deficiencies. I'm not saying you have ADHD, but addressing vitamin deficines is certainly part of the overall current regimen for treating ADHD, which often has procrastination as one associated behavior.
posted by anastasiav at 6:31 AM on October 24, 2018 [1 favorite]

Best answer: Another vote for B vitamins.

I've commented several times on AskMe that I have a relatively common B vitamin deficiency - I don't want to call it a disorder, but I suppose one would. It's called MTHFR, it's diagnosed via blood test from your GP, and it supposedly affects about 45% of the population. In simple terms it means that the person does not metabolize B vitamins well. Supplementing has worked wonders for my mental health, which translates into the motivation to follow through on things.
posted by vignettist at 7:53 AM on October 24, 2018 [4 favorites]

It's also possible that your vitamin contains caffeine. I was rather horrified to discover that in the ingredients list of a lady-formula vitamin I was considering buying.
posted by wyzewoman at 11:05 AM on October 24, 2018 [1 favorite]

Out of curiosity, mind sharing with us what formulation it is you're taking ? Also, happy for you that something - whatever it may be - has made things better.
posted by elgee at 11:47 AM on October 24, 2018 [5 favorites]

Best answer: Another vote for the D3. If you're missing it, and you get it, it sorta makes a noticeable difference that isn't just more energy or bettersleep, but at least a bit of changing up the game in a mental way that you can't quite put a finger on.
posted by zengargoyle at 2:31 AM on October 25, 2018

Response by poster: No problem elgee, just didn't want to look like I was shilling for them. It's these Swisse multivitamins.

Yes, they have a dose of caffeine, yet since I'm fairly caffeinated generally I don't feel like this would have made as much difference as perhaps the rest of the formulation.

Thanks for the pointers, all. I'll have to do some extra reading.
posted by doornoise at 4:44 AM on October 28, 2018

I was kind of inspired and kind of intrigued by this and so I picked up a vitamin B supplemental. Whoa boy, was that a big mistake. It made me so aggressive and irritable!
posted by dotparker at 8:39 AM on October 30, 2018