Niacin and Depression: What Users Say

• Lis...
• January 18, 2017

For Depression "I have to share my story with you all on how I cured my depression, anxiety, and panic attacks. I was on Lexapro 3 years ago. Then when I came off it, I got mania and psychosis. Then I was on Olanzapine for 2 years at 10mg. I cut down to 1.25 mg and then went off completely. This was over a couple of months. When I went off it, I had terrible withdrawals, panic attacks, and severe depression. I couldn't handle it, so I went on Cymbalta 60 mg. That helped a little, and 4 months down, I was still feeling the side effects from Olanzapine withdrawal. That is until 2 weeks ago, I came across a video on YouTube about niacin (flush) and how it cured depression, anxiety, and panic attacks. I read lots of online reviews and decided to give it a go! 4 days after taking niacin 500mg (it has to be the flushing kind), all my withdrawals were completely gone! I couldn't believe it!! My depression, anxiety, and panic attacks are gone!!! I'm feeling 100% myself! I am now off the Cymbalta too! I had to share my story as I want as many people to know and try it! The best thing about it is that you can try it while you're on your meds as it's just a vitamin! I hope my story will help others!"

• Cho...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 24, 2016

For Depression "I began taking niacin 2 years ago for high cholesterol, and after 3 months of taking the vitamin at 500mg/day my cholesterol levels dropped from 260 to 210 with improved LDL and HDL as well. I upped the dose to 1000mg a day and have been taking it for 2 years, with the current cholesterol level of 189. Not only did I notice a reduction in cholesterol, but I also began to feel better and happier. I stopped taking niacin last month, and after 1 week, I started experiencing previous anxiety and depression problems that I had been plagued by before niacin. I had no idea niacin was so effective in helping with depression until I stopped taking it. I'm back on it now and have no worries."

• Hot...
• August 15, 2018

For Depression "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 being over-methylated, which could be the reason I didn’t fare well with SSRIs. I took niacinamide 500 mg and wow! Boost of energy, positivity, and optimism! However, it only lasted for like 4 days. Hypomania? I’ve tried up to 1500 mg a day for a few days, and that feeling never came back, just some low mood and anxiety only. I then read that flush niacin would be more effective. So I bought niacin 100 mg. Took like 500 mg 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 1800 mg/day, split doses, and never got a consistent effect. Already threw away bottles. Wouldn’t try again."

• bru...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 27, 2021

For High Cholesterol "Niacin has caused depression for me. I was feeling fine mentally prior to taking niacin. I was taking it for long COVID symptoms, but now I feel extremely depressed. I was taking it for just over a week. Be wary, it can have the opposite effect!"