this post was submitted on 21 Apr 2026
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Had a relative say he was going to take it as a treatment for his ADHD and he'd read some articles. This relative is all over the place with legit ideas mixed with ones I don't think have the scientific backing. I thought about looking it up like I usually would and just felt tired (there are so many fake sites and articles about medical stuff to sift through...). But someone here maybe already researched it or has actual background on the subject? For all I know, this is a completely well known and mundane treatment for it.

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[–] CompactFlax@discuss.tchncs.de 14 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (3 children)

Why the big scary lead up? Niacin flush is uncomfortable but not risky - as your quote says. As the final paragraph notes, excessive doses may lead to some risk but excess niacin is excreted pretty easily via urine. It’s not like OP is advocating treatment with 1000mg caffeine twice daily.

[–] prettybunnys@piefed.social 12 points 2 months ago

If you were to start taking it and weren’t aware of it then you might freak the fuck out if it happens.

[–] givesomefucks@lemmy.world 5 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (1 children)

Why the big scary lead up? Niacin flush is uncomfortable but not risky

Yeah...

But uh, we did it for "reasons" in the military and no matter how much you warn someone, they will think something is seriously wrong.

So even if someone is taking a low dose, it's important they understand a whole bunch of weird shit is going to happen for a couple hours.

At high enough doses, you don't just secret thru urine, it comes out thru your skin, pushing out all the junk that clogs your pores and leaving a weird film/coating. And a whole bunch of other stuff people may panic about. Even if they're not intending to take enough for that stuff to happen

It's better to freak out before, and realize it's not a big deal. That way when you do it, you're not thinking you're dying.

[–] TheGoldenV@lemmy.world 1 points 2 months ago (2 children)

Why didn’t you use the no flush niacin? Is that no longer a thing?

[–] givesomefucks@lemmy.world 3 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Because the flush was the point...

[–] TheGoldenV@lemmy.world 2 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (1 children)

Flush = Red and hot

Flush = Remove metabolite

Two different things. I was happy to use the non shit experience version.

[–] givesomefucks@lemmy.world 1 points 2 months ago (1 children)

The first one is the generic meaning for one your skin tends red...

The second one is "niacin flush".

There isn't two different versions, you just don't understand.

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/niacin-flush#What-is-niacin-flush

It's called "niacin flush" because the visible reaction includes "flushing" but it's more than that.

If there's "no flush niacin" that just means the advertised dosage isn't enough for what the vast majority of people taking niacin are taking it for.

They intentionally take a dose high enough to trigger a "niacin flush" because some of the junk it pushes out of your skin, are the metobolites that would make you test positive on certain urinalysis tests.

[–] TheGoldenV@lemmy.world 2 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Huh, well that’s interesting. I guess my info from the E3 mafia was incorrect after all.

Or I’ve forgotten in the intervening 20 years. Either way, point to you!

[–] frongt@lemmy.zip 1 points 2 months ago

See there's your problem, you were supposed to listen to the E-4 mafia!

[–] jordanlund@lemmy.world 1 points 2 months ago

The no flush niacin is good if you're B-3 deficient, but it doesn't carry enough for therapy use.

[–] stoly@lemmy.world 0 points 2 months ago

If you have never heard of it, you will think that something is very wrong and call 911 because you will think that you are actively dying.