Abstracts

The purpose of this report is to highlight the potential of niacinamide for the treatment of anxiety disorders. Three patients were prescribed large pharmacological doses of niacinamide (2,000-2,500 mg per day). Each of the patients had considerable relief from their anxiety when regularly using niacinamide. The possible biochemical reasons for niacinamide's effectiveness might be related to the correction of subclinical pellagra, the correction of an underlying vitamin B3 dependency disorder, its benzodiazepine-Uke effects, its ability to raise serotonin levels, or its ability to modify the metabolism of blood lactate (lactic acid). Adverse effects did not occur with these doses, but nausea and vomiting can occur when doses as high as 6,000 mg per day are used. These positive case reports suggest that niacinamide might be helpful for the treatment of anxiety disorders. However, definitive proof requires properly conducted randomized controlled trials to assess niacinamide's actual therapeutic effects and adverse effects profile.