Niacin (or vitamin B-3) has been a long-standing known cure for chronic depression and anxiety. Unfortunately, most of us have never heard of the potential emotional benefits of Niacin. Though the reason for secrecy surrounding vitamin therapy has a complicated and deep-rooted past, a simple explanation is that natural remedies are not supported by the U.S. medical field.
A Brief Niacin History
One of the most publicized cases of Niacin used as a cure for depression surrounded Bill Wilson (the founder of AA). Bill struggled with chronic depression much of his life, and after being introduced to psychiatrists Humphrey Osmond and Abram Hoffer in the late fifties, he began participating in a study including the use of Niacin for depression.
Bill supported Niacin so strongly, that he attempted to introduce its use to the AA organization, but the idea was fully rejected by the fellowship. Bill published several articles, and detailed his experiences with depression and his cure, in the book, “Pass It On.”
Since the research in the fifties, various nutritionists (and very few enlightened doctors) have prescribed high doses of Niacin for chronic depression. Unfortunately, treatment of serious illnesses with vitamin therapy has become dangerous ground for most doctors to walk on. In fact, in the United States, it is against the law to prescribe nutrition or vitamins to treat cancer patients (promoting natural cures landed Juice Master, Jason Vale in prison).
The Myth That Vitamins Are Dangerous
OK, so this may not be a complete myth… In the “Annals of Emergency Medicine” there were 2 documented cases of serious reactions to high doses of Niacin. These patients had taken the Niacin to clear their system of Cocaine in order to pass drug tests. So how does this compare to conventional medicine? Over 783,936 people die EVERY YEAR from medical mistakes and approximately 100,000+ of those deaths are patients taking prescription drugs as directed.
Treating Depression and Anxiety Naturally
First and foremost, it is important to recognize that depression and anxiety can actually be enhanced by poor diet and stress. Niacin itself should not be the first treatment if nutrition, exercise and stress are not being addressed. Simply improving your diet, exercising regularly and taking time to meditate or relax, could greatly improve problems with depression and anxiety.
It is also important to note that many prescription medications for emotional illness have their own side effects. Taking these drugs can actually enhance emotional distress, or have other adverse effects.
If depression and anxiety are severe enough however, you should probably seek out medical care from a doctor who is familiar with natural remedies and treatments. Niacin has not been known to cause death, but should be taken in carefully managed doses and supplemented with other vitamins (especially the other B vitamins).
Most doctors will prescribe Niacin in small frequent doses, and slowly increase these doses daily. Large amounts of Niacin will cause your skin to flush, but a slight niacin flush should end in about ten minutes or so and is considered normal. A doctor will most likely suggest that Niacin be taken after each meal in a small dose (such as 25 mg), and may increase that dose each day (such as 50mg at breakfast, then 25mg for lunch and dinner). These doses will not usually exceed 3,000 to 9,000 mg a day, and will be reduced if the patient’s skin continues to flush.
Niacin not only treats depression, but has also been shown to aid with sleeping problems, addiction, arthritis, schizophrenia, and high cholesterol.
Choosing the Right Type of Niacin
Sufficient research has never been performed on the effectiveness of No-Flush and Flush-Free varieties of Niacin for depression, however research has shown that they have no impact on patients with high cholesterol (suggesting the same would be true for depression). We suggest taking pure nicotinic acid (if you cannot find this at the grocer, try your local organic store or purchase it online).
50mg capsules on Amazon.com
500mg capsules on AllStarHealth.com
1000mg capsules on AllStarHealth.com
Natural Sources of Niacin
Some foods Niacin can be found in, include almonds and seeds, wheat products, beans, rice bran, green leafy vegetables, carrots, turnips, celery, lean red meat, fish, organ meats (kidney, liver), prawns, and pork.
Credits
Annals of Emergency Medicine
www.physicalfitnessforum.com
www.health-report.co.uk
Pass It on: The Story of Bill Wilson and How the A. A. Message Reached the World by Alcoholics Anonymous
Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine, Revised Second Edition by Michael Murray and Joseph Pizzorno
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I started taking niacin a few days ago (in the form nicotinic acid) because I have acne and read somewhere that it helps. I also have depression and don’t want to have to resort to antidepressants just yet so started st john’s wort. it took the edge off slightly but the depression was still bad.
I had no idea niacin helped depression but the day after i started it (about 200g p/day spread out in 50g tablets) my depression lifted and i had enough energy to do a workout for the first time in weeks. its also warmed me up (I’m always freezing!).
I try to be healthy and eat a nutritious diet though so I don’t know how i could be deficient in niacin… hmmm. its making me think a lot about the cause of my depression.
I noticed that too! I’m glad you are trying things out on your own before resorting to meds.
I also found that eating foods with a healthy fat content like cashews and avocados (both good for niacin and other nutritional benefits) make me feel happy and optimistic. I’m not too worried about the fat content as some people will complain that its too fattening (well I’d rather be happy than skinny and sad), as long as I consume a reasonable portion. I think the natural fat helps satisfy something the body needs, and the response is pretty quick. I definitely dont feel this way when I eat sugar (which I love) or other vice snacks. This feels different, and feeling happy naturally is nice.
Right now i’m snacking on a weird combo of lightly-salted avocado mash (1/4 of one) and sliced, firm bananas. I used to hate avos, but its super yum for me now~! That. and lots of water helps me from feeling tired, and helps my headaches.
Hope we keep it up~!
I have a strange love of carrots. Lol, not really but I eat a bag of baby carrots every week. I do it as a crunchy snack to keep me away from the chips and such. It really started as a weight loss thing, but I’ve gotten to where I really like them. But, having said that, I wonder if my body really needed the niacin, therefore I crave the carrots now? I was wondering if you know how much niacin carrots have and if there is significant amount to cause me to have too much niacin if I were to start taking it as a supplement. I do take a multivitamin and a b complex, both of which have niacin. I don’t think I’ve experienced the flush, but the first night I took the vitamins I do recall feeling a little warm, but at the time didn’t know about niacin at all.
I am a recent convert to Niacin – depression has kicked in this is a result of leaky gut, fatty liver as well as many other factors – like a domonio affect, depression starts in the gut not in the mind as many people think. So if the gut is a real probelm (due to anti inflammatories and prescription drug damage ) then the gut does not absorb vital nutrients thus depression adds to these problems. I saw the Documentary Foodmatters on how Niacin helped a lady who suffered depression and was anti social due to her depression but once on Niacin she joined life once again……inspiring. We are left in the dark from the Big Medico they want us all on anti depressants as it brings in the money for Big Phama and keeps us reliant on them instead of us being in control of out own health.
I agree with you completely. I watched that same doc which was the result of me finding this site. I have suffered from depression and anxiety since my HS years and I believed that there could be natural forms to cure my issues. You are correct about depression starting in the gut. I am& 195lbs. My health is extremely poor my job is stressful and I must do better to care for me first. I am going on a juice fast taking 10 days at a time.
I am nursing a baby and have severe anxiety. I read in my medication handbook that nursing women can safely take 2,000 mg of niacin a day so that is what I have been taking for the past 3 days. I can tell you it is an amazingly different feeling of relaxation and relief from my anxiety. I took the niacinamide form of niacin 4 capsules of 500 mg all at once, but I plan on experimenting with the plain niacin for relief of some digestive issues.
I have been using propell mixed with a liter of water, one package provides 50%, daily requirement, i don’t know how that translates to mg, i’ll usually drink three of those a day. I noticed a difference as well.. probably a combination of 3 liters of water, and 150% of niacin, along with the other b vitamins in there..
Congrats to everyone that has utilized Niacin and has reaped its fantastic benefits! I suffered for MANY MANY years with addictions like smoking, alcoholism, and have suffered depression and severe anxiety and have been in and out of institutions because of it. This amazing vitamin instantly works and cured me of all of the above. If you have any doubts and want to try and start supplementing it into your diet, do some research but most importantly buy a bottle and try it for a week. My mind is more clear, my energy levels higher, I feel more alive and I’m actually enjoying my life these days! And I’m not trying to sell anything, just give the gift of knowledge I wish i had a long fu%#ing time ago ~
Dave I suffer from severe anxiety and depression. How much niacin do you take and is it tne non flush type?
I took 3000mg yesterday. I itched for hours. Took around the same dosage today, not as much itch. Definitely feel calmer and the sense of dread that depression gives you is gone.
What brand, type and dose did you take? I just bought the Spring Valley flush free kind. Please respond to Pipernsm at a o l dotcom
I try to take niacin with every meal–the flushing kind, working up to 3,000 mg a day . I take “Twinlab” 500mg two with every meal. I started with 100mg, worked up to 200 than 300, 400mg. all taking just a few doses between. Took about a week to work up to 500mg.
The flush is nice–you can feel the niacin working–not many things that are good for you work that way.
I’ve been taking it for awhile now and wouldn’t give it up for anything. It has worked miracles for my anxiety and depression.
After watching Foodmatters on Netflix 6 months ago I started taking 3000 mg of slo-niacin that I purchase from Costco. I have stopped taking Lipitor for cholesterol and have now anxiety issues in addition to sleeping like a baby. My last blood test came in with a total cholesterol of 146 vs the normal 210 plus reading even with Lipitor. Feels great to be off all medications and have no issues with anxiety!!
My dad is a doctor and he supports my self treatment plan!
Steve
I mean NO issues with anxiety…Niacin is a miracle vitamin when taken in high does o f at least 3000 mg/day. I take 1000 mg with each meal and don’t have any flushing. Only have flushing if I take it on an empty stomach.
I watched the Netflix movie Foodmatters today. What an eye opener. I have battled depression for so many yrs and have tried multiple meds but have never felt right. The notion that Niacin can offer such hope is provocative. The idea that MDs don’t tell us of this is disappointing. I am going to start Niacin therapy soon and am excited about what the future holds. If anyone has experience that they can share i would appreciate it.
This has by far been the best treatment I have ever had for depression/anxiety. You name a medication used to treat depression or anxiety disorders and I bet I could tell you I’ve been on it one time or another. Over those years I battled with a nasty alcohol and drug problem (some of which were prescriptions used to help with my anxiety.) Every time out of rehab I was put on a nice little cocktail of SSRI’s and mood-stabilizers and what not and every time they offered little relief to my symptoms and would often have some unpleasant side effects. This time I was determined not to fail so after the meds weren’t working and I was close to my breaking point I was watching a documentary on netflix called Foodmatters and they mentioned something about niacin helping with depression and I was kinda like, um yeah whatever but decided to give it a try anyway and within the first day I was already feeling better! Seriously, I didn’t really believe it but it has made a world of difference. Its not like a high or anything lol but it just kind of makes you feel like that is what you are supposed to feel like. Its like Wow! I feel kind of silly because its so easy and I dunno why it took me so long.
Yes!!!! It is amazing–you notice the improvement right away–it is a miracle and very inexpensive.
I only wish I had used this many years ago!!
Hi my name is Lena and Iam 27 years old I struggle with deppression and anxiety for years and have been on almost every medicine there is possibly out there Iam so tired of being a ginny pig to see if the right meds work which only do for about 3 mths then stop then I have to switch. I would give anything to not suffer through this horrible disease. My mother who suffers from deppression as well suggested niacin to me and Iam extremly very leary of taking it because im more so like ya right, on how a natural herb can work for you. I started out with the 500mg flush free and am hoping it will work do you have any idea of when it will start to work if its possible i can wean off my effxor with my doctor of chourse and how much I shoulkd start taking and when to up the mg of niacin. Iam so excited that there is hope please reasure me and tell me this works
How did you start with the Niacin therapy? How much and what kind? I have been struggling with depression for a long time. I have been on SSRIs for about 7 years. I do not like the side-effects and I do not like being on a long-term medication. I also saw Food Matters.
I think we all need to remember that Food Matters talks about eating good food, too! So I have been eating well.
I suffer from chronic anxiety and depression, and have for as long as I can remember. About nine months ago I had an epiphany of sorts and started researching “natural” ways to handle my symptoms. I have been antidepressant free for eight of those months now, and I document my “journey” on my ManictoMindful Blog…anyway, not meaning to advertise here…I have just been reading everyone’s comments (and this excellent blog, which I will be linking in my blog) as part of my research on Niacin & depression. Those of you who take it for depression, and who feel it works: what brands have you taken? I’m going to be purchasing soon. Honestly, my anxiety and depression are completely in control now (a true miracle) but I still have fatigue and I read that Niacin helps with this. Plus I want to be informed for all seventeen of my readers
thanks!
I have not tried the niacin yet for my depression and fatigue because I have been trying to research how much I should take. I am 95 lbs, 22, and I just got through nursing my 13 month old a few weeks ago. My hormones feel like they are getting back to normal but the depression and fatigue is still an issue. Doctoryourself.com has a kind of confusing explanation on how to increase your dosage. I understand adding 25mg a day and I understand you will feel a flush.. It just seems like a lot of build up to get to the suggested 3,000mg he talks about. I am reading that alot of other people on here are taking way less and it is working. Does anyone around my size have any dosage suggestions?
Hi Jenna,
To start try 100mg of the flushing kind before bed. Certainly that won’t be an issue. Eventually you’ll stop flushing with it. Once you stop flushing at that amount per then you can add more. Easily up to 300 mg, but others would say you could go a lot higher. Just do it in stages to start.
Everyone seems to take it thorughout the day, but that makes me tired. Only a few hundred mg at night does the trick for me! Niacin got my blood sugar under control, and that means a good nights sleep! I realise it has other benefits, but that alone is good for me!
Traditional niacin causes no liver damage. This been verified in many studies. It is perfectly safe and its dangers are promoted by the traditional medical field who know nothing about it. Some studies have shown increased liver enzymes with extended, no flush versions, but this does not necessarily indicate longer damage. Pharmaceuticals are far more toxic. I would highly recommend the book ‘Niacin: the real story’ by Abram hoffer, a true expert in the field.
Excellent book–getting the dose up is easy and not really necessary. Once you get to 500mg and your body adjusts–just a few days, you can easily take two tablets with meals.
I’ve read the post regarding niacin in high doses and liver damage, but have seen nothing to confirm it either way, so it leaves me wondering if there is a definitive answer. It was mentioned that it is the non-flush type that causes the liver damage, and I, too, remember reading something to that effect as well, but still can’t be sure.
About a year ago, I took the flush type niacin for about two or three days, but I must admit the flush scared me as I had not researched enough and began to panic, but what I recall most was how relaxed I felt during that time. I hadn’t paid it much attention as my main goal was to stop drinking alcohol and I had read that it was good for helping to quit alcohol as it is getting too expensive to drink the good wines that I prefer, too many times a week!
So now I worry that I may have a bit of paranoia thinking that perhaps my liver has been compromised already, and even though I am excited about the possibility of the niacin helping my now on-going chronic depressive state; I’m now afraid to go back on the niacin for fear of real liver damage. So my plan is to take milk thistle along with the niacin. I’ve read that milk thistle can detoxify the liver, and would like to take the two together: niacin and milk thistle.
Anyone out there have any experience or knowledge to share on this topic?
I have been taking Niacin for about one month. I have definitely seen a difference in my depression and also better sleep. I HAVE to take the flush-free Niacin. I hope that it will continue to work. I take Niacin to help lower my cholesterol along with my statin drug. I plan to pass on the helpfulness of Niacin to my friends and family who seem not to be able to quit smoking and social drinking excessively. Thank you for publishing these helpful articles.
To Jacqueline Looper – I have been taking the flush free niacin – niacinamide – for about a week (1000 mg. a day) in the hope that it will help with my depression and anxiety. I haven’t noticed any effects yet, but it’s early days. What I have read, though, is that the flush free niacin is not effective in helping lower cholesterol levels. This is not why ai am taking it so it’s not important to me, but in your case perhaps you should do a bit more research? I intend to, as i don’t know enough about it yet (and my doctor has offered no useful advice).
I have read that the flush free niacin is the one that may damage your liver. I would recommend not taking that. Otherwise taking niacin and vitamin c together seems to be working for me as far as sleeping better after less than 1 week.
I would like to say in my experiences of reading up on niacin, if you suffer from server deppression i would personally go up on the niacin now iam not a doctor but i do suffer from bad deppression and i personally started out on 500mg and giving my body a week and intend to go up on it. Ive noticed a difference within a week and have been on every medicine out there. i feel that if u have mild deppression then you would only need a low dosage, if u have server then you should be on a higher mg, from reading up on niacin including every med ive been on out there it would work the same in mg wise pending on how your niacin levels are. personally i would give it a try and not give up on a beautiful natural remedy. iam actually excited hope it works out for you and good luck
I was reading the various articles on your website . I have been taking Niacin for about a month. I have definitely seen a difference in my depression and better sleep. I am going to recommend it to my family and friends who smoke and socially drink too much. Thank you for publishing these helpful articles. By the way, I HAVE to use the flush-free Niacin.
I take niacin twice a day, 500 mg. The flushing tends to be a bit much. In which case I drink lots of water. I also have added vitamin c, 1 gram per 500 mg niacin, which stops the flushing. Interestingly though, by adding to the vitamin c there is a feeling of relaxation coupled with increased energy. Its a bit of a strange feeling, but my health is benefitting. Also, the vitamin C protects the liver, so if there is any risk at all from the immediate release 1 gram of niacin a day, then that is lowered. One of the side effects besides the better short and long term memory is less joint pain, in addition to greater fat loss, I have been getting leaner eating the same and exercising the same. Anyone who says that niacin is overrated is a fool.
I’ve been taking the flush free niacin for over a month and haven’t felt any dramatic changes in my anxiety/stress/depression levels. I’ve been taking 3 x 500mg tablets per day. Two days ago I switched to the pure tablets which were not flush free and took my normal 500mg dosage. After 20 minutes I was bright red from head to toe. My body felt like it was sunburnt and was itchy all over. I didn’t mind because I felt like it was working. My wife thinks it was all in my head but I feel much more relaxed after I take it. I usually have trouble going to sleep at night but after I took it I went to bed and fell asleep within a matter of minutes. I am excited by the possiblities but my wife doesn’t think I should take it because of the side effects. She read online about one of the side effects of a higher dosage is liver damage. Does anyone know how high a dose is considered too high? I take no more than 1500mg a day.
Thanks
As long as you are taking the Niacin that flushes you can safely go up to 6,000mg a day. Best to take it with meals in divided doses throughout the day.
For instance if you want to take 3,000mg per day, take 1000mg with every meal.
Like vitamin C, Niacin is a water soluble B vitamin and you can take up to feeling symptoms such as stomach upset. The flush is not a “bad” sign.
I am also starting to take niacin. How long can one take 500 mg everyday? Can I take it for years say 10 years? What harm can it do?
I am interested in knowing longer term continuous use side effects.
For anyone considering niacin, do lots of research before you decide on what dosage to take.
From what I read while researching, high doses such as 1000mg+ a day over a long period of time can harm your liver. I only take 1-2 100mg tablets a day (that’s what the bottle says to take) as needed, and it works wonderfully for me (although, I don’t weigh very much…so maybe a little goes a long way for me). Seriously, niacin is like a miracle vitamin. I started taking it about 4 months ago when I realized my anxiety issues were ruining my life and that I needed to do something about it.
Here’s my favorite example of how well it works for me: The very first time I took niacin, I had been arguing with my brother for an hour, trying to convince him not to do something because it was dangerous and he could get hurt or even killed. I decided I was flustered enough to try my new niacin tabs, so I did. Literally 2 minutes later I was walking out the door to join him.
Interesting review. Congratulations. It is known that TCH stores itself into the fatty cells of your body. Maybe The niacin releases the tch somehow providing a cleansing and sensation.
Thanks for sharing Jerry.
Does anyone have experiences with taking Niacin AND antidepressants? is that ok?
I am interested in combining Niacin and a SRI medication also. Anyone have experience with that? Thanks.
I took niacin while on Welbutrin generics for a couple of months. I can tell you that I felt content and happy and really surprised by that feeling of wellness! I also started juicing and reduced eating meat for a few months now. Not as bad as I thought especially for a carnivore like myself:-)
My doctor took me off of Welbutrin almost a month ago to see how well I can cope without it. I’m doing fine. I found that I needed to increase my niacin dosage to 1000mg 3X/day. I’m doing great so far. I really enjoy being able to go to sleep early at night and sleeping through the night!
Good luck to you all.
Peace.
I found about about taking niacin for anxiety and depression about a month ago. The very first time i took niacin (real niacin — not the flush free, or Niaspan) I took 10 100mg tabs. It was really harsh — I felt itchy from my head to my calves, however this wore off after about 1 hour.
The next day I took only 700mg (7 tabs) and the effect, while experiencing mild heat and itchiness, was totally diminished in comparison to the very first time.
A friend who took 500mg (5 tablets) the first time reported the same phenom of being itchy the first time, and it not being anywhere as intense any time after that.
——
After taking a niacin regiment of about 1500-2500mg daily for 2 days, I can honestly say that I feel much much less stressed, anxious or depressed. In fact I feel really good now and my interest in smoking weed or drinking alcohol totally stopped (not that I started taking niacin for these reasons — however this is a response to the niacin — I’m certain of it).
Overall I feel really at peace throughout the day. I don’t feel “tired”, but I do go to sleep much sooner and faster these days. Before the niacin I was up way past midnight, now I have to fight to stay awake past 10pm (but this is what I really want — i get up earlier too. 5:30 – 6:00am as opposed to 7:30am — where i have to be at work at 8:00am)
——–
I read about niacin on the doctoryourself.com website — I spent a few days researching, learning, understanding what niacin is and how it works. If you search online, you will find that niacin is the natural, organic model of “vallium” … please find this for yourself.
I’m so glad that I found out about niacin — I feel like a new person.
One odd side-effect is that because I used to smoke weed, when I take niacin, it has a similar effect. I know this sounds weird, but there are times that I actually feel mildly stoned from the niacin — like a smoked.
Also, if i don’t take it for a day I don’t have withdrawls, nor do I feel bad. I’ve been taking niacin for about 6 weeks now and I recommend it to friends who feel depressed or are anxiety ridden.
I still get the niacin flush and sometimes I feel a little itchy — but I actually enjoy feeling that because I know how calm and at peace I feel — naturally. Legally.
Best wishes
Jerry
Thank you Jerry! I started taking Niacin a few days ago. I have been depressed and anxious over my income situation. I actually have felt a little calmer.
I cant wait til six weeks goes by to see how well I will be feeling. I have been taking a low dose anti-depression med for a bout a year. I don’t think it has done much at all. I think in a day or so I’m going to ween myself off of that.
Thank you again for sharing.
Bobbie
I am so thankful that Niacin works for anxiety and depression. I was on Zoloft for years and found that and it caused terrible apathy. I could not get motivated to do anything, plus it caused me to make really bad choices in my life. Now I take niacin round the clock. It is such a blessing. I ditched my lowlife buddies and signed up for a 16 units at our local college. AND NO DEPRESSION OR ANXIETY. I am very disappointed with the medical community for keeping this from me. I could have been so much further along in my goals.