OK, I know what you’re thinking, “Isn’t Niacin just another vitamin?” And the answer is yes but it’s not to be taken lightly.

It’s not just any other vitamin, it is vitamin B3, which is a very important nutrient as every part of your body needs it to function properly.

In this article, I am going to cover the use of Niacin (Vitamin B3) as a supplement as well as Niacin benefits and side effects.

You have every reason to be curious, Niacin does have great potential but it has risks and potential side effects as well, so please read carefully and do your research!

Niacin Detox: Benefits and side effects

What Happens When You Take Niacin?

A very common side effect of taking Naicine is known as the ‘niacin flush’. It is a typical symptom that occurs 20 – 30 mins after you take it. Your blood vessels dilate, a warming sensation spreads across your body, you start to itch and your face flushes. This is a sign the Niacin is working its magic.

About 30 mins – 1hr in, you begin to experience a warm glowing sensation that can last for about several hours. A bit like the ‘runner’s high’ you get after a gym workout.

After about 1hr+ your mood elevates, the energy goes up and your brain functions better with more clarity.

There are many long term benefits associated with Niacin as well, such as:

  • Energy: Niacin is essential in the production of energy in the body. Deficiency causes tiredness and fatigue. 50 – 500 mg daily will give a natural energy boost.
  • Arthritis: Studies confirm niacin is better than NSAIDS for arthritis. Moderate arthritis 1,000 to 1,500 mg a day. In more severe cases, as much as 3,000 mg to 4,000 mg have been recommended.
  • Cholesterol, Triglycerides + Reversing Heart Disease: Niacin lowers cholesterol more effectively than statins in various studies and also lowers triglycerides. It reduces the blood fats called “very-low-density lipoproteins,” which have been linked to heart disease and cancer. It improves the blood sugar problems that can lead to damage to the arterial walls. It dilates blood vessels, which improves circulation to areas starved of oxygen and nutrients. Recommended 1,000 to 3,000 mg of niacin a day.
  • Improves Memory: It can improve memory, and correct some senility problems. Recommended 1,000 mg of niacin taken 3 times a day
  • Prevents Hair Loss + Balding: Increases blood flow to the scalp, important in hair growth and reduces the production of DHT linked to balding.
  • Insomnia: Niacinamide activates benzodiazepine receptors in the brain, which affects sleep. Dosages of 50 mg to 500mg of niacin that is converted into niacinamide in the body taken at bedtime have helped many people sleep better.
  • Cancer: Has the potential to influence DNA repair, genomic stability, and the immune system, eventually having an impact on cancer risk, as well as the side effects of chemotherapy in the cancer patient.
  • Acne: Many reports show Niacin can get rid of acne with a daily dose of 400/500 mg.
  • Alzheimer’s: Studies have shown that vitamin B3 niacin can help protect against Alzheimer’s disease and other age-related brain disorders that result in cognitive decline.

Niacin Detox: Benefits and Side Effects

L Ron Hubbard was a big advocate of Niacin (Vitamin B3) supplementation during sauna use to enhance the detoxification process. A starting dose of 100mg is ramped up to 1000 – 5000mg towards the end of the program,

In more recent times Dr. David Roo and Dr. George Yu have used niacin and saunas to help detox war veterans from Agent Orange toxicity and 9/11 fighters from toxic debris.

The way niacin works is by mobilizing fat cells to release toxins into the blood where they can be removed by the body. A dose of around 100mg may cause in most people an effect known as the ‘niacin flush’.

This happens because certain doses of niacin cause your blood vessels to dilate and creates a sensation of warmth. This is a sign the detoxification effect of niacin is at its peak and will be most effective. At higher doses, however, the flushing effects will actually fade away.

NMN or nicotinamide mononucleotide a precursor to NAD+ that stimulates DNA repair in cells can mimic the restorative effects of exercise, rejuvenating muscle tissue and other cells. Check out our other article about Niacin and this great Anti-Aging Wonder Drug.

The Renegade Pharmacist’s Personal Experience With Niacin

I have to admit I have become a niacinaholic. I love the stuff. Not everyone can handle the flush, but I absolutely love it. The first time I took it, it was a sudden shock to my system and I freaked out a little bit, as do most people.

But after the intense heat faded, a glowing sensation radiated from my body. I had a clear mind, full of energy and felt warm and fuzzy for the next few hours. The next day I followed a sauna detox ritual that I now do religiously.

After learning more about the power of niacin’s benefits and side effects, this is when I realized it’s true power. Everything got enhanced. My meditation, my level of clarity, and my level of clarity after the experience.

Niacin is my new best friend. I was compelled to read as much as I could about this miraculous vitamin, and the studies were eye-opening.

What concerned me was the fact that there was not a single mention of this extraordinary vitamin during my 4 years of training as a pharmacist.

Then when I qualified, I never heard of niacin’s benefits till very recently. After a couple of months of taking niacin regularly, I went to get a hair cut.

My favorite hairdresser noticed that my hair had grown back a bit on the back of my head that had been thinning quite a lot over the last few years. I was gobsmacked. I then discovered many high-end hair loss treatment centers also use niacin as part of their treatment plan.

I have since recommended niacin to various friends and family and all have reported benefits from taking it too and several have started to take it regularly as I do.

Niacin made me once again believe in the power of high doses of certain vitamins, and perhaps they are not just expensive urine, but something the body craves because our diet has become depleted over many years of mass farming and agriculture.