About B6ICK
About B6ICK
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Check for B6, or B-SICK
Check for B6, or B-SICK
We're B6ICK (pronounced "be sick") - a student-led awareness campaign an overlooked health risk hiding in plain sight: vitamin B6 toxicity.
Who we are
Who we are
We are a group of third-year Medical Science students at the University of Sydney undertaking a interdisciplinary project focused on science communication and changing lifestyle habits.
Jessica
Becky
Flynn
Helen
Chang
Aoibh
What began as a university science-communication project quickly became something bigger — a mission to change how young Australians think about supplements and their energy drinks.
Our Mission
Our Mission
"Empowering young Australians to make informed decisions about supplements and energy drinks by raising awareness of hidden vitamin B6 toxicity - because prevention starts with knowledge, not a prescription."
Why B6ICK?
Why B6ICK?
In 2024, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) warned that vitamin B6 has no known safe lower limit for supplementation.
Soon after, ABC News reported rising cases linked to everyday multivitamins and energy drinks.
TGA - Vitamin B6 Safety Update
ABC Article on VItamin B6 Toxicity
Article from the Royal College of Australian GPs
It hit close to home.
We’d all used these products — “healthy” multivitamins, pre-workouts, and exam-season energy drinks — without realizing we could be slowly damaging our nerves.
Amongst ourselves, those of us working medical practices, hearing about patients diagnosed with toxicity from ordinary supplements made one thing clear:
people need to know.
Our mission is simple: Make young Australians aware that the supplements and energy drinks they trust might contain dangerous levels of vitamin B6.
Our mission is simple: Make young Australians aware that the supplements and energy drinks they trust might contain dangerous levels of vitamin B6.
We’re not here to give medical advice — just the knowledge and motivation to:
Know the symptoms
Know the symptoms
Tingling hands, numbness, nerve pain aren't always "just from the gym" or "too much caffeine"
Check your labels
Check your labels
Your pre-workout, multivitamin, energy drink, and protein powder might be stacking up to toxic levels
Talk to your GP
Talk to your GP
Early detection prevents permanent nerve damage
We're targeting the groups most at risk
We're targeting the groups most at risk
Students
Students
running on caffeine and energy drinks during exams
Athletes and gym-goers
Athletes and gym-goers
stacking supplements
Health-conscious consumers
Health-conscious consumers
taking multiple products “for wellness”
These are the people most likely to exceed safe intake — and least likely to suspect it.
These are the people most likely to exceed safe intake — and least likely to suspect it.
Why Trust us?
Why Trust us?
No sponsors, no sales, no agenda. We’re not selling alternatives or products.
Research-based. We’ve reviewed clinical literature, consulted GPs, and analysed TGA data.
Firsthand experience. We’ve seen the real-world cases that statistics only hint at.
In a world full of health misinformation, we’re committed to clear, evidence-based communication that points people toward proper medical care.
How you can help
How you can help
Watch and share our content on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook.
Check your labels — how much B6 are you really consuming?
Take our short survey — your responses show whether our campaign is making a difference.
Our success isn’t measured in likes, but in conversations with doctors and changed habits.
The Bigger Picture
The Bigger Picture
B6 toxicity isn’t just a student project — it’s a public-health blind spot.
If our campaign sparks broader awareness, better regulation, or clearer supplement labelling, we’ll have achieved more than any assignment could.
For now, we’re six students with a simple message:
Don't be sick, just check for B6.
Get Involved
Get Involved
B6ICK is a student project at the University of Sydney. Any information, content or opinions shared do not represent those of the university.
We are not medical professionals. If you have concerns about B6 toxicity, please consult your GP or healthcare provider.
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