Which supplements may benefit people with essential tremor, and which should be avoided?

Medically reviewed and edited by Tod Cooperman, M.D.

Written by Meredith A. Worthington, Ph.D.

Updated August 18, 2022 ⓘ

Man with essential tremor holding a cup with his right hand and bracing his wrist with his left hand

Answer:

Essential tremor or ET (previously called benign essential tremor) is a movement disorder that causes involuntary, rhythmic shaking, typically of the hands, when one moves or contracts a muscle (but not at rest). Medications can help most people, but there are still many who do not respond. There is no cure for ET.

Supplements have been used in treating symptoms of essential tremor, with generally little success. These include caprylic acid (also called octanoic acid), thiamin (vitamin B1), cannabidiol (CBD), GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid), branched-chain amino acids, magnesium and even alcohol.

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