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Is niacin related to ADHD somehow? (kbin.earth)
submitted 2 months ago by celeste@kbin.earth to c/askscience@lemmy.world
16 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

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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[–] jordanlund@lemmy.world 10 points 2 months ago (2 children)

I don't know about ADHD, but for anyone considering experimenting here, please, please, PLEASE be aware of the phenomenon called "Niacin Flush".

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/niacin-flush

"Many people taking niacin may experience a niacin flush. People may experience flushing around 30 minutes after taking a high dose of niacin, such as 500 milligrams (mg) or above.

Symptoms of niacin flush may include:

the skin on the face and upper body flushing

itching, tingling, or prickly sensations on the skin

a hot or burning sensation on the skin

Symptoms of niacin flush may clear within 1 to 2 hours of taking niacin.

People may find that symptoms of niacin flush are most intense when they first start taking high doses of niacin but may reduce with continued use.

According to the NIH, niacin supplements of 30 mg or more may cause headaches, rashes, or dizziness.

Taking high doses of niacin of 1,000 mg or more without the approval of a doctor may have harmful side effects, such as:

low blood pressure, which may increase the risk of falling

fatigue

high blood sugar levels

nausea

heartburn

abdominal pain

blurred vision and buildup of fluid in the eyes"

[–] 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.

[–] celeste@kbin.earth 3 points 2 months ago

Oh, he mentioned that! He said when he was taking it, it was like he was getting hot flashes when it kicked in, but they were gone in half an hour for him. I think this might be a topic he knows a lot about, instead of one of the ones that are conspiracy adjacent.

[–] CompactFlax@discuss.tchncs.de 2 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (1 children)

I usually feel a bit better with extra B-complex and have a family member who went carnivore and swears their symptoms improve (reading between the lines, more b vitamin. Don’t do carnivore. It’s gross and unhealthy)

A reasonable supplement might help. Past a certain point, your body just excretes it, so unless you’ve got kidney issues it’s pretty safe to try (eta at reasonable dosages. If you’re like the other guy and the army gave you so much you’re sweating it out, you’ve gone too far). You just make urine more expensive as the dose increases.

[–] celeste@kbin.earth 2 points 2 months ago (1 children)

It's useful to know that it's the kind that flushes out when you take extra! This guy thinks ADHD runs in the family.

[–] Droechai@piefed.blahaj.zone 6 points 2 months ago

ADHD does have a genetic component so if its present in one family member its highly likely to present in others