Why niacin lead me to sleep

[sameer7777]

Hi it was not happening before I was taking niacin for energy and flush but now niacin is making me sleepy and I sleep and there is no flush  is happening why it's like this pls guide any one

[nanna1]

Hi sameer7777,

Niacin (nicotinic acid) has three effects that may produce drowsiness:

• it binds to the benzodiazepine receptor (on the GABA_A receptor) [1]
• it pushes tryptophan metabolism away from niacin production and towards serotonin/melatonin production [1]
• it causes Prostaglandin D2 release (PD2 induced flush) [2], and PD2 is the most potent sleep inducer naturally found in the body [3]

  The ability of PD2 to induce flush can wear off over time (tolerance, cAMP depletion), but I think the ability to induce sleep is more resilient. People who back off taking nicotinic acid for a week, can generally see the flush effect come back. Taking Picamilon (GABA-niacin) can greatly enhance the sleep effect. I do not take flush niacin.

  As a side note, niacinamide (no-flush niacin) inhibits antigen-induced mast cell degranulation [4] and crosses the blood-brain barrier better than nicotinic acid (flush niacin)[5]. Moreover, niacinamide does not increase PD2.

1. Niacinamides Potent role in Alleviating Anxiety with its Benzodiazepine-like Properties: A Case Report (2004)
2. The mechanism and mitigation of niacin-induced flushing (2009)
3. Prostaglandin D2 and sleep/wake regulation.
4. The Role of Vitamins B3 and C in the Treatment of Histadelia
5. Niacinamide transport through the blood-brain barrier.

[sameer7777]

Thankyou for your reply
I am also taking 0.5 clonozepam
And 0.5 of resperidone everyday this might intereact with niacin my niacin is flush type..... Use to be great
Any way thanks

[fathom]

On a related note, could someone help me, I have tried Niacin non-flush "after" an o on 2 occasions, and felt very crappy after taking it.  Its a bad feeling where you feel as if your eyes and mouth is burning (and maybe itching from inside) which makes you very uncomfortable - it spoils your day.  Since then I am not using it before or after an o, because I hate to get that feeling "before" an o, I mean whats the point of having an o, its to feel good (at least at that very moment) and if Niacin takes that away, then whats the point?  Am I missing something here (or maybe its just me that gets this effect?)

[sameer7777]

Hi this flush will give you relief from symptoms or take it when you feel like to not before o or after try it