Anyone Know Anything About Niacin and Helping with Depression/anxiety?

Niacin is actually what closed down many mental hospitals in the south at the turn of the 20th century. When doctors experimented with the supplement many people were released and sent home because nothing was wrong with them. The lack of this particular nutrient can cause many things that are diagnosed as mental issues these days. Stress also depletes nutrients....so you can get into a big cycle if you're worried about the depression.

It is very easy to be replete in Niacin with our food supply now. It's worth a try. You can get too much but you will notice with flushing and nausea. It's not dangerous but you should be aware if you need to back off. The 100mg you're getting in your B-stress vitamin should be plenty if you're absorbing everything. Absorption is critical

God bless!
M.

Niacin and mega doses of Vitamin C are supposed to help a lot. Saint John's Wort does as well, but only if you maintain it.... but only regulated and quality products such as through Standard Process. Generic or many grocery store brands aren't as potent or measured correctly content wise. My husband controls his anxiety and mild depression this way.

Watch the documentary Food Matters, it talks a lot about vit C, HTP and other natural supplements for depression

I know that it is quite effective if your body has a deficiency of it or your body needs more of it because of an absorption issue. This is why it would work . It works for many people.

I also know that an overdose of vitamins is very rare , so rare in fact that vitamin therapy, even if misdiagnosed is still better than taking pharmaceuticals for their intended purposes. The comparison is about 1 in millions. So quite literally it couldn't hurt to try it.

Choose a " no flush" niacin because while overdoing the dosage won't hurt you it will give you a red face and chest that looks pretty funny.

I take 5HTP for my depression and anxiety. For me, that works better than any prescription med. My son, now 14, was prescribed Zoloft a number of years ago. I really didn't want him on those meds, so I asked his naturopath for an alternative. I figured we'd try the supplement route first, before committing to anti-anxiety meds. She suggested 5HTP for him and it worked so well, he was like a different person - more calm, not as uptight, really a huge change, and almost overnight. Needless to say, he never had to take the Zoloft. I also suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder. Every November, I start a downward spiral, I just want to sleep, I'm fatigued and sad constantly. Then in March, I start to perk up again and by summer I feel great. Happens every year. Our naturopath suggested 5HTP for ME to get through the winter months. Again, worked like a charm. No SAD for me this year. I'm feeling really good, I've got energy, the first thought in my head when I wake up ISN'T "what do I HAVE to get done in order to get back into my bed and sleep all day". It really worked for me and my son.

You probably don't need more than is in your b complex.
Other supplements that help are Omegas/DHA and St John's Wort. Don't take SJW with prescription antidepressants.

I took a "no flush" niacin for another reason and still got the tingly/burning (flushing) side effect. I couldn't stand it. I was told that with each increase in the dosage, the flushing would return a little, but go away eventually. It never went away until I stopped taking the niacin. I hated it.

I don't know anything about niacin and depression, but years ago my doctor told me to take it for the betterment of my heart. I took one and broke out in a hot, itchy sunburn type of rash. I called her, very worried, and she said "Oh, I should have warned you that this happens with some people. You can't tolerate it, so don't take it anymore."

If you try it, just be aware of this.

Dawn

for years after his heart surgery, my DH took Zocor as his cholesterol-lowering med. Never had any problems.

As his glucose #s crept up, his diabetes dr (endocrinologist) switched him over to Simcor...which is Zocor + Niacin. Within the 1st month, my DH began experiencing severe joint pain. By 3 months, there were days when he could barely move his hands.

After discussing all of this with the dr, he was taken off of Simcor. Within ONE week, he was back to normal! He is now being directed to a different drug...we'll see how it goes - whether it was the statin or the niacin which triggered the reaction.

I realize this is not directly related to your question.....just tossing one more experience into the mix! One more side effect to look for....:)