Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition where people get stuck in repetitive thoughts and behaviors. Standard treatments don’t always work completely for everyone. Scientists are planning to review all the research studies about whether vitamins, minerals, and other supplements might help treat OCD alongside regular treatments. This review will look at studies that tested these supplements to see if they actually improve symptoms, thinking ability, and quality of life. The researchers expect to finish their review by the end of 2025, which could help doctors decide whether to recommend supplements as part of OCD treatment.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether nutritional supplements (like vitamins and minerals) can help reduce OCD symptoms when used along with regular treatments like therapy and medication
  • Who participated: This is a plan to review existing research studies—not a study with actual participants yet. The final review will look at all randomized controlled trials (the gold-standard type of study) that tested supplements for OCD
  • Key finding: This is a research protocol (a plan), not completed research yet. The team will search for and analyze studies about supplements and OCD to see what the evidence shows. Results are expected in December 2025
  • What it means for you: If you have OCD, this review may eventually help your doctor understand whether adding supplements to your treatment plan could help. However, don’t start taking supplements without talking to your doctor first, as this review hasn’t been completed yet

The Research Details

This is a systematic review protocol, which is like a detailed blueprint for how researchers will search through and analyze existing studies. The team will look for randomized controlled trials—the most reliable type of study—that tested nutritional supplements against standard OCD treatments (medication and therapy). They’ll search major medical databases like MEDLINE and Embase from the very beginning of these databases up to now. Two researchers will independently review each study to make sure they’re looking at the same information and to reduce mistakes. The researchers will evaluate how well each study was done and look for patterns across different studies.

By systematically reviewing all available research instead of just looking at a few studies, scientists can get a clearer picture of whether supplements actually help OCD. This approach prevents researchers from accidentally picking only studies that support their beliefs. It also helps identify which supplements might work best and for which people

This is a protocol (a plan) rather than completed research, so there are no results yet. The strength of the final review will depend on how many good-quality studies exist about supplements and OCD. The researchers are using established methods for systematic reviews, which increases the reliability of their eventual findings. The fact that two independent researchers will review each study helps prevent bias

What the Results Show

This is a protocol paper, not a completed study, so there are no results yet. The researchers are planning to look at three main outcomes: whether supplements improve thinking and memory, whether they improve quality of life, and whether they reduce OCD symptoms like obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors. They will search for studies that compared supplements directly to standard treatments (medication, therapy, or both) to see which approach works better. The team expects to have their analysis completed by December 2025, at which point they will report what the evidence shows about supplement effectiveness for OCD.

The researchers will also look at whether supplements affect other health conditions that often happen alongside OCD, such as metabolic syndrome (a group of health problems including high blood pressure and weight gain). They’ll examine whether certain supplements work better for people with specific types of OCD or other mental health conditions. This broader view helps doctors understand the full impact of supplements, not just their effect on OCD symptoms alone

Currently, there’s growing interest in whether supplements might help OCD because some research suggests they could affect brain chemicals and reduce inflammation. However, there hasn’t been a thorough review of all the evidence yet. This systematic review will be the first comprehensive look at what randomized controlled trials (the most reliable studies) actually show about supplements for OCD. This fills an important gap because doctors need solid evidence before recommending supplements to patients

This is a protocol, so the actual limitations of the research will only be known once the review is complete. Potential limitations may include: not finding many high-quality studies about supplements and OCD, studies testing different supplements making it hard to compare results, and studies using different measures of improvement making it difficult to combine findings. The quality of the final review depends on the quality of the studies that exist

The Bottom Line

Wait for the completed review (expected December 2025) before making decisions about supplements for OCD. If you have OCD and are interested in supplements, talk to your doctor or psychiatrist first. Don’t replace proven treatments (medication and therapy) with supplements without medical guidance. Current evidence is still being gathered, so recommendations cannot be made yet

This research matters for people with OCD who aren’t getting enough relief from standard treatments, doctors treating OCD patients, mental health researchers, and anyone interested in how nutrition affects mental health. It may be less relevant for people whose OCD is well-controlled with current treatments, though they might still find it interesting. People considering supplements should definitely pay attention once results are available

The research team is currently collecting and reviewing studies, with final results expected in December 2025. Once published, it may take several months for doctors to incorporate findings into their practice. If supplements are found to be helpful, it could take 6-12 weeks of consistent use to notice improvements in OCD symptoms, similar to how long medication takes to work

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Once the review is complete and if you discuss supplements with your doctor, track your OCD symptoms daily using a simple 1-10 scale (1=barely noticeable, 10=severely interfering with life). Also note which supplement you’re taking and when. This helps you and your doctor see if anything is actually helping
  • If your doctor approves, you could set a daily reminder to take any recommended supplement at the same time each day. Use the app to log when you take it and note any changes in your obsessive thoughts or compulsive behaviors over the following weeks
  • Create a monthly check-in where you review your symptom scores and compare them to previous months. Track not just OCD symptoms but also sleep quality, anxiety levels, and overall mood, as supplements might affect these too. Share this data with your doctor at regular appointments to make informed decisions about whether to continue, adjust, or stop supplements

This article describes a research protocol (a plan for a study) that has not yet been completed. No results or recommendations can be made until the systematic review is finished in December 2025. If you have OCD, do not start taking any supplements without first consulting your doctor or psychiatrist. Supplements should never replace proven OCD treatments like medication and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Some supplements can interact with OCD medications or cause side effects. Always inform your healthcare provider about any supplements you’re considering or taking. This information is for educational purposes only and should not be used to make medical decisions.