Niacin for Depression User Reviews (Page 2)
Brand names: Niaspan, Niacin SR, Heliocare Advanced, Endur-acin, HDL Benefit, Niacor, B-3-50 B3-500-Gr Slo-Niacin NiaVasc …show all brand names
Niacin has an average rating of 8.7 out of 10 from a total of 46 reviews for the off-label treatment of Depression. 87% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 11% reported a negative experience.
Reviews for Niacin
- Roger...
- July 27, 2017
"I was taking welbutrin xl for depression. I found that it's effect lessened after time. After hearing about Niacin, I decided to give it a try. 3 years later, I still take it daily. 1000 mg of no flush Niacin has helped keep my depression in check. No symptoms at all. I highly recommend anyone with depression to at least try it. I also found that Niacin starts working much faster than traditional medication."
- Dmarq
- Taken for less than 1 month
- December 17, 2019
"Been suffering from depression and anxiety most of my life. Started taking Solgar Niacin (with the flush) and the change has been like day vs night. Sleeping better, energy in the morning and in the evening (but not affecting sleep), better concentration and mood vastly improved. Started on Solgar Niacin 100mg once a day and moved up to twice a day and feeling great!"
Frequently asked questions
- Noudii
- October 25, 2016
"I'm diagnosed with multiple sclerosis Before the diagnosis I had a sudden change in my mood form a very happy person to a very depressed person After the diagnosis and failure of 3 kind of treatment for My MS because it escalated my depression I stopped everything And started the following 1. Dr. TerryWahls protocol 2. Vitam B3 3000mg/day It's been 2 years and i haven't got a single relapse And the Vitamin b3 helps with the depression."
- Anonymous
- February 3, 2018
"I have suffered from epilepsy and depression since childhood. With a number of SSRI meds and finally Wellbutrin I could never find total relief. But about one year ago I began adding supplements to my fruit and veggie diet. B-3 was the first. I began using 1gram per day and later dropped to half a gram per day. Very notable change in my mood and anxiety disorders. I sleep a full eight hours and wake up with no anxiety. Positive, upbeat and very few moments of sadness as long as I'm taking the B-3. If I stop for two or three days, I'm back in the black! This stuff works for me. I won't be shopping for a new drug anymore."
Are you taking this medicine?
- peter
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- February 8, 2024
"Took it years ago and did not give it proper attention. This time it blew me away. I quit weed and alcohol in two days and will never go back. Came to see these things were not resolving anything. My life has gotten so much better since taking. Feels like someone in pharma has worked hard to suppress what niacin can do. Only hope more find it for themselves. Have lost a few to suicide. Don't feel they would have gone that way had they had the chance to try niacin. Took all the way up to 5,000. Even at that high dose it was better than any meds from the soulless perps selling that crap. Seems like 600-1,500 is where the body can really get back into some harmony. Give it a try! By far the best thing I have taken."
- Davet
- January 2, 2018
"I originally took niacin up to 1000mg for cholesterol, when I noticed it helps with depression and anxiety. At first I thought it was a placebo effect, but it was too consistent and tangible. I started at 50mg and very slowly increased up to 1000mg, with antidepressant and anti anxiety benefits felt at 200mg and improving as I increased the dosage."
- Clarice
- Taken for 6 months to 1 year
- October 30, 2019
"My (male) partner gets low mood and anxiety. Within a few days of taking niacin (no flush) he is a different person, upbeat, positive and happy. If he stops taking it, negative symptoms return. Much rather this natural remedy than drug-based antidepressants."
- Akt
- January 19, 2018
"Tryptophan is being used by the body to create niacin, if you are deficient in niacin. Tryptophan is also the precursor to serotonin - the feel good neurotransmitter. This means that: Niacin + Tryptophan (or small doses of 5-htp) should give you a good dose of serotonin naturally. Since the The tryptophan/5-htp can be used to deliver serotonin directly. If you use niacin with whey protein you will get Tryptophan and tyrosine and a lot of other amino acids. Just wanted to say that my mood lifts significantly with this formula -> Niacin + tryptophan or small doses of 5-htp. Add Tyrosine if needed, or combine with whey protein/amino acid complex."
- Diane
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- May 18, 2018
"I have been taking 300-500 mg of niacin (split dose) for a few weeks now. My anxiety and depression symptoms have improved greatly. I feel so much more calm and I am sleeping better. I was doing some research and this is likely related to a genetic trait which affects the metabolism of tryptophan. My flushing symptoms were pretty intense at first but have improved. It's totally worth it. I have read that the slow release niacin is no good and can cause liver damage. The regular, immediate release niacin is what works for me and I split the dose throughout the day. It works for me."
- Bones...
- May 7, 2017
"I've been a depressive type most of my life, and I've also had problems with alcohol. I recently was prescribed Lexapro but only took it for two days as it felt wrong. I've always had an icky feeling about SSRIs etc. I finally decided to give niacin a go, and within a few hours of the 1st dose I felt ten times better. I'm now on day 5 and slowly upping my dose. I feel better each day and don't feel the sadness that was so paralysing for so long. Only negative side effect is a headache from time to time but it'll pass soon I'm sure. I really enjoy the niacin flush feeling, but only at night. During the day I take the slow release kind but I'm planning to slowly switch to the flushing kind over time as it just feels more effective."
- It is...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- October 2, 2021
"I was diagnosed with GAD and panic attacks since 2000 , been on SSRI on and off , they never work good for me , always anxious and negative thoughts . A week ago i came across niacin and how it helps in depression and anxiety. I started with 500 mg ( flushing ) . I gave it a go and believe me , in just one hour after taking it , I felt so great for the first time in 20 years . It has same effect as Xanax . This vitamin is amazing . It has been a week now and I was able to drop my ssri dose from 20 mg to 5 mg with no withdrawal symptoms . It is amazing . From my deep heart i really wish everyone who suffer try it . It a miracle"
- Aliyah
- Taken for 1 to 2 years
- July 27, 2020
"Niacin is a life saver. It helps with my anxiety. Unfortunateally it does not give me a 100 % relief, but it eases my anxiety to the point where I can function like a normal person. It makes my GAD/Depression much more manageable. I also add some GABA."
- Hotco...
- August 15, 2018
"This review is for both niacin and niacinamide. Got off Zoloft after taking it for only 2 weeks due to its insane side effects and worsening depression! Had a psychiatrist appointment coming up in two weeks from that point, which was the beginning of the week. After being diagnosed with Bipolar 2, I’ve suspected of being over methylated, which could be the reason I didn’t fare well with SSRI .I took niacinamide 500mg and wow! Boost of energy, positivity, and optimism! However only lasted for like 4 days. Hypomania? I’ve tried up to 1500mg a day for a few days, and that feeling never came back, some low mood and anxiety only. I then read that flush niacin would be more effective. So I bought niacin 100mg. Took like 500mg to flush, and it gave me a sense of calmness and prevention of lower moods. Same thing, only lasted for a few days. I went up as much as 1800mg/ day, split doses, and never got a consistent effect. Already threw away bottles. Wouldn’t try again."
- Faith
- Taken for less than 1 month
- September 6, 2018
"I'm trying Niacin both for getting off of Clonazepam and for anxiety. I need more instructions on how to find my optimal dose. I took my first 100 mg pill after a meal and had significant flushing about an hour later that lasted for 30 min. I heard the flushing reduces in time Dr. Abram Hoffer's optimal dose was 3,000 mg (1000 after each meal) but said everyone is different. "
- Dogsd...
- November 29, 2020
"So I took 250mg Niacin tonight before bed and OH MY GOSH YICKS!!! I woke up roughly an hour since taking it and my whole body felt like it was burning and I had a major panic attack as a result. Such a nightmare. Almost went to the emergency room thinking it was an allergic reaction. Will probably try the no flush type. Anyone else trying this just letting you know if you suffer from severe anxiety like me take with caution an understand the side effects so it doesn’t take you by surprise like it did me. Still lying here trying to calm myself down. P. S. Will update after trying the no flush type, cause I NEVER want to go through that again!!!"
- Guineym
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- October 13, 2018
"It cured my depression at 3g a day....it cures schizophrenia and bipolar and also aids in constipation to combat anti psychotics"
- Beepoo
- October 1, 2011
"Great for depression and great for my hair."
- Botti...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- January 22, 2020
"Completely cured my depression"
- durki...
- June 25, 2016
"Helped anxiety sleep 500Mcg 2x day"
- Anonymous
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- February 3, 2021
"niacin is the cure for depression and cannabis induced psychosis"
- Health...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- July 21, 2019
"Lowered my feelings of anxiety & depression but raised my blood sugar to prediabetes levels. Make sure to monitor your blood glucose levels if you take niacin."
- Fractal
- August 4, 2017
"The real benefit of niacin is when you take very high doses and consistently. Keep them in your pocket."
- Arianna
- July 13, 2019
"For anyone who's taking niacin & getting the flush please consider taking the NON-FLUSH niacin, 1000 to 3000 mg instead of the regular one."
- Mr Jim
- Taken for 10 years or more
- December 31, 2022
"I won't go into my story. Depressed, anxiety? Try 1000 mg of Niacin a day for a couple weeks, if you do not feel better stop taking it!"
Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or to remove inappropriate language and content. Reviews that appear to be created by parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any particular medication. While these reviews may be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, knowledge, and judgement of healthcare professionals.
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Niaspan, Heliocare Advanced, Niacin SR, Endur-acin, ... +6 more
"I (23 year old woman) have struggled for years with depression and anxiety, but this past year the depression got much worse. I lost 50 pounds and almost got fired from my teaching job for it. Anyway, I started taking niacin during a two week depressive episode and it helped a lot. The episode ended by the second day of taking niacin, and I haven't felt "at risk" of going back there since. I take 1000 mg a day, split morning and night. I also take 50 mg of 5-HTP right before bed."