Exploring Non-Medication Treatments for Tic Disorders: Magnesium, Vitamin B6, and L-Theanine

Tic disorders can deeply impact daily life, especially in children and adolescents. At Alpine Psychiatry, we understand how disruptive motor and vocal tics can be—and how frustrating it can be when standard medication options come with challenging side effects or limited efficacy. That’s why we take an integrative, evidence-based approach to care, exploring non-pharmacologic treatments that can provide meaningful relief.

This article explores three promising nutritional supplements—magnesium, vitamin B6, and L-theanine—that may help manage tic symptoms. These treatments have been highlighted in recent studies and are part of our personalized, whole-person care model.

What Are Tics?

Tics are sudden, involuntary movements or sounds that occur repeatedly. They are most commonly associated with tic disorders such as:

• Tourette Syndrome (TS): Both motor and vocal tics are present for more than a year.

• Persistent (Chronic) Motor or Vocal Tic Disorder: Only one type of tic persists for over a year.

• Provisional Tic Disorder: Tics are present for less than a year.

These conditions frequently begin in childhood and often co-occur with ADHD, OCD, and anxiety. While some individuals experience spontaneous improvement, many benefit from supportive care.

Traditional medications for tics, such as antipsychotics and alpha-2 agonists, can be effective but are not always well-tolerated. This has led to growing interest in safer, non-medication treatments.

Why Consider Nutritional Supplements?

Nutritional therapies aim to address neurochemical imbalances that contribute to tics. Supplements like magnesium, vitamin B6, and L-theanine support the nervous system, enhance neurotransmitter function, and promote calm and focus—without the side effects of traditional medications.

Magnesium and Vitamin B6: A Clinically Studied Combination

How They Work

• Magnesium supports nerve function, muscle relaxation, and neurotransmitter regulation.

• Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) is essential for synthesizing dopamine, serotonin, and GABA—key neurotransmitters involved in movement and mood.

What the Research Shows

A double-blind, placebo-controlled study explored magnesium (0.5 mEq/kg) and vitamin B6 (2 mg/kg) supplementation in children with Tourette Syndrome. Over three months, the group receiving supplements experienced a 50% reduction in tic severity scores, compared to minimal change in the placebo group.

• Dosing: Magnesium pidolate + pyridoxine alpha-ketoglutarate

• Safety: Well-tolerated with no significant adverse effects reported

L-Theanine and Vitamin B6: A Natural Way to Calm the Mind

How They Work

• L-Theanine is an amino acid found in green tea. It promotes relaxation without sedation and may improve focus.

• When paired with vitamin B6, it can support dopamine and serotonin levels to help modulate tics and anxiety.

Clinical Insights

In a pilot study involving children with Tourette Syndrome and co-occurring anxiety, those receiving L-theanine (200 mg/day) and vitamin B6 (2.8 mg/day) showed a 43.5% improvement in tic severity, compared to an 18.3% reduction in a psychoeducation-only group.

• Effectiveness: Particularly helpful for tics; less pronounced effect on anxiety

• Tolerance: No significant side effects reported

Where to Start

At Alpine Psychiatry, we often begin with magnesium and vitamin B6, especially when symptoms include tics, anxiety, or sleep disruption. This combination supports a wide range of neurologic functions and is usually well tolerated. If patients do not respond or prefer a calming supplement, we may recommend trying L-theanine with vitamin B6.

Because supplement response can vary, our integrative treatment plans are tailored to the individual. We often combine supplements with:

• Medication management when appropriate

• Therapy and behavioral interventions

• Functional testing for nutrient imbalances or underlying biomedical issues

• Advanced treatments such as neurofeedback or Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)

Integrative Psychiatric Care at Alpine

If you or your child is navigating life with a tic disorder, we’re here to help. Our team provides compassionate, personalized support that blends the best of conventional and holistic psychiatry. Whether you’re exploring non-medication options or looking to fine-tune an existing plan, we’re committed to walking alongside you every step of the way.

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