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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 14 of 14. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Ame Sans Vie on May 10, 2003, at 11:23:24
Just a few articles:
SOME NOTES ON NIACINAMIDE THERAPY FOR ARTHRITIS
by William Kaufman, M.D., Ph.D.
(Reprinted with the kind permission of Charlotte Kaufman)
The (more frequent) 250 mg dose of niacinamide is 40 to 50 % more effective in the treatment of arthritis than the (less frequent) 500 mg. dose. As an illustration, see the reprint of my Tom Spies Memorial Lecture: Niacinamide, a Most Neglected Vitamin. This illustrative case history begins on page 17 column 2 and continues on page 18 column 2.Do not use hard gelatin capsules containing 250 mg niacinamide because they do not deliver niacinamide as efficiently as 250mg niacinamide in thin gelatin capsules in the treatment of joint dysfunction (arthritis).
In my paper in J. Amer Geriat. Society, 1955 3:927-936 I noted that niacinamide (alone or combined with other vitamins) in a thousand patient-years of use has caused no adverse side effects.
Some brands of niacinamide on the market today contains excipients that act as preservatives, probably meant to prolong shelf life. Some patients have severe adverse reactions to these preparations while most do not experience any ill effects.
Niacinamide has un-gated entrance to the central nervous system. It has a strong affinity for the central nervous system's benzodiazepine receptors and causes a pleasant calmative effect. In addition, it improves central nervous system function in the kinds of central nervous symptom impairments noted in my 1943 book, starting on page 3.
Please keep in mind niacinamide is a systemic therapeutic agent. It measurably improves joint mobility, muscle strength, decreases fatigability. It increases maximal muscle working capacity, reduces or completely eliminates arthritic joint pain. Niacinamide heals broken strands of DNA and improves many kinds of CNS functioning.
Some joints are so injured by the arthritic process that no amount of niacinamide therapy will cause improvement in joint mobility, but it takes three months of niacinamide therapy before you can conclude this, since some joints are slow to heal.
WILLIAM KAUFMAN, PhD, MD
January 13,1998~~~~~~~~
The textbook description of anxiety neurosis exactly matches the symptoms of vitamin B3 (niacin) deficiency: hyperactivity, depression, fatigue, apprehension, headache, and insomnia. It has been shown in animals to work in the brain in ways similar to drugs such as benzodiazepines (Valium-type drugs) that are used to treat anxiety. One study found that niacinamide (not niacin) could help people get through withdrawal from benzodiazepines, which is a common problem. A reasonable amount of niacinamide to take for anxiety, according to some doctors, is up to 500mg four times per day.
Niacinamide locks onto the same receptor sites in the brain as do tranquilizers such as Valium, and is a natural tranquilizer. The manufacturer of valium is also the worlds largest manufacturer of niacinamide. [Nature 278: pp.563-65,1979]
~~~~~
Anyone have any thoughts on this?
Posted by Larry Hoover on May 10, 2003, at 12:57:18
In reply to Niacinamide's affinity for BZD receptor?, posted by Ame Sans Vie on May 10, 2003, at 11:23:24
> Anyone have any thoughts on this?
Much of the research into the psychological effects of niacinamide (also known as nicotinamide) was done in the former Soviet Union. Whether or not the niacinamide binds in the same place as do benzodiazepines is the matter of some dispute, but the effect is not in dispute. There is a very clear anxiolytic activity, sometimes likened to that of diazepam.
Looking at this substance just now, I found that niacinamide increases neuronal turnover of choline, and thus potentiates acetylcholine activity. Moreover, in animal models of Parkinsonism and major depression, niacinamide increases serotonin turnover.
I was unaware of these effects. Thanks for bringing it up.
Lar
Posted by lawrence S. on May 10, 2003, at 20:26:50
In reply to Re: Niacinamide's affinity for BZD receptor?, posted by Larry Hoover on May 10, 2003, at 12:57:18
Thank you Ame Sans Vie!! This is great info! Is this commonly found at vitamin shops? Where do you get tranquili-G?
Posted by Ame Sans Vie on May 10, 2003, at 20:56:48
In reply to Where can you buy Niacinamide?, posted by lawrence S. on May 10, 2003, at 20:26:50
No kidding! I'm really happy I stumbled across this as well. I bought some 500mg extended-release niacinamide tablets at a health food store here, though I'm sure you could find it at GMC, Vitamin World, etc. One of the studies I read mentioned that niacinamide works in tandem with GABA to help produce states of calmness, so I would venture to guess it may be a good way to supplement picamilon.
Tranquili-G is made by Avant Labs... I'm not sure exactly where I purchased it online, but if you do a search for it on Yahoo, I believe it's the 15th or 16th site down the list that's the least expensive. I think it was around $45 a bottle.
Posted by McPac on May 11, 2003, at 13:19:05
In reply to Re: Niacinamide's affinity for BZD receptor?, posted by Larry Hoover on May 10, 2003, at 12:57:18
"Looking at this substance just now, I found that niacinamide increases neuronal turnover of choline, and thus potentiates acetylcholine activity. Moreover, in animal models of Parkinsonism and major depression, niacinamide increases serotonin turnover".
>>>>>> Increasing serotonin turnover is a good thing, correct?
Posted by lawrence S. on May 12, 2003, at 0:43:55
In reply to Lar, Re: Niacinamide's affinity for BZD receptor?, posted by McPac on May 11, 2003, at 13:19:05
Well, I picked up some Niacinamide 100mg at GNC for $5.00 How often should I take it? It is in tablet form and is not time released.
15 minutes after taking the first tablet I noticed a signifcant feeling of calm. Is this placebo effect or could it actually work this fast?
Acetylcholine potetiation, I thought caused increased anxiety?
Posted by Ame Sans Vie on May 12, 2003, at 1:18:48
In reply to Mac Pac, Ame Sans Vie, does this mean it's good?, posted by lawrence S. on May 12, 2003, at 0:43:55
While I'm not exactly sure of its pharmacology, I suppose it could affect you that quickly. I have to say, though, I'd buy at Vitamin World instead of GNC next time if I were you! They've got 100 count bottles of 500mg tablets for just under $10. The research I've come across suggests 500mg four times daily should suffice for anxiety, though there's certainly no danger in going higher if you feel the need.
Posted by Larry Hoover on May 12, 2003, at 10:55:34
In reply to Lar, Re: Niacinamide's affinity for BZD receptor?, posted by McPac on May 11, 2003, at 13:19:05
> "Looking at this substance just now, I found that niacinamide increases neuronal turnover of choline, and thus potentiates acetylcholine activity. Moreover, in animal models of Parkinsonism and major depression, niacinamide increases serotonin turnover".
>
> >>>>>> Increasing serotonin turnover is a good thing, correct?
>
>According to the animal model, yes. I'm sorry if my answer seems evasive, because it is.
Although I will happily discuss mechanisms and activities and so on, I hesitate to draw conclusions from those "understandings". You see, those conclusions would fall into the category of petitio principii, a logical fallacy wherein the conclusion really is little more than a restating of the question, but with doubt removed. It's kind of like answering the question, "Is there proof that God exists?" with the following: God's Word is in the Bible. The Bible says that God exists. Therefore God exists.
The only evidence from which I like to draw conclusions arises from empiricism, i.e. actual experimental results, of the sort "I tried this intervention, and this is how I felt." I'm particularly moved by the evidence when the "I" is me.
Lar
Posted by Larry Hoover on May 12, 2003, at 11:03:20
In reply to Mac Pac, Ame Sans Vie, does this mean it's good?, posted by lawrence S. on May 12, 2003, at 0:43:55
> Well, I picked up some Niacinamide 100mg at GNC for $5.00 How often should I take it? It is in tablet form and is not time released.
You could probably use it prn, "as needed", without any concern for toxicity. Still, I wouldn't exceed 500 mg at a dose, nor 2000 mg/day. I'd try to stay under those levels, most of the time.
> 15 minutes after taking the first tablet I noticed a signifcant feeling of calm. Is this placebo effect or could it actually work this fast?
It most certainly could work that fast. Whether it was placebo or not is a difficult question for anyone but you to answer. Repeated trials should clear up that mystery for you.
> Acetylcholine potetiation, I thought caused increased anxiety?Perhaps, the opposite is true.
Brain Res 2002 Sep 13;949(1-2):60-70
Dorsal and ventral hippocampal cholinergic systems modulate anxiety in the plus-maze and shock-probe tests.Degroot A, Treit D.
Department of Psychology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 2E9.
There is emerging evidence that increased acetylcholine levels in brain reduce anxiety. More specifically there is evidence that some of these anxiolytic effects of acetylcholine are modulated by the hippocampus. In the present study we examined the roles of the cholinergic systems in the dorsal and ventral hippocampus in two animal models of anxiety: the elevated plus-maze and the shock-probe burying tests. We found that microinfusions (10 microg/0.5 microl) of the acetylcholinesterase inhibitor physostigmine in either the dorsal or the ventral hippocampus increased rats' open arm exploration in the plus-maze test, and decreased burying behavior in the shock-probe test. Interestingly, infusions in the ventral, but not the dorsal hippocampus also increased the number of contacts rats made with the shock-probe. Overall, the results suggest that cholinergic stimulation in the dorsal and ventral hippocampus modulate anxiety, but that only the ventral hippocampal cholinergic system is involved in the passive avoidance of painful stimuli.
Posted by lawrence S. on May 13, 2003, at 3:08:44
In reply to Niacinamide's affinity for BZD receptor?, posted by Ame Sans Vie on May 10, 2003, at 11:23:24
I sure am impressed with this stuff. It's day 3 on Niacinamide and I'm pretty sure it's working. I recently stopped Klonopin after 20 years on benzo's. Niacinamide seems to really work fast. I feel calmer, better focused and just plain normal! Will this stuff poop out? It seems too good to be true!
One last question; How is Niacinamide different than Niacin?
Posted by Ame Sans Vie on May 13, 2003, at 7:56:23
In reply to How long do the effects last?, posted by lawrence S. on May 13, 2003, at 3:08:44
Glad to hear it's working for you! I just started taking it yesterday at 2,000mg / day and I am sure this is no placebo. I skipped a dose of my Klonopin and took 500mg of niacinamide instead--it actually almost worked as well as the benzo!!
Seeing as how benzodiazepines don't poop out (or very rarely, anyway), I'd venture to guess that niacinamide would work indefinitely, binding to the same receptors as benzos and all. I mean, because it binds to the BZD receptors, your brain considers it a benzodiazepine. Just like Mirapex attaches itself to dopamine receptors, and fools your brain into thinking it's dopamine.
I'd have to do a little more research into the exact difference between niacin and niacinamide, though I do know that niacinamide doesn't cause the "niacin flush" that many people get from taking niacin, and you can take much higher doses of niacinamide before you reach a level of toxicity.
Posted by lawrence S. on May 13, 2003, at 23:12:59
In reply to Niacinamide's affinity for BZD receptor?, posted by Ame Sans Vie on May 10, 2003, at 11:23:24
I can't believe how good this stuff works on anxiety! All these years of taking beta blockers and benzos. All I needed was a cheap little vitamin pill!
Posted by 4WD on May 26, 2005, at 22:02:13
In reply to Amazing Niacinamide lowers blood pressure too!, posted by lawrence S. on May 13, 2003, at 23:12:59
> I can't believe how good this stuff works on anxiety! All these years of taking beta blockers and benzos. All I needed was a cheap little vitamin pill!
What dosage are you taking? ANd how often?
Marsha
Posted by Dr. Bob on May 27, 2005, at 8:06:36
In reply to Re: Amazing Niacinamide lowers blood pressure too! » lawrence S., posted by 4WD on May 26, 2005, at 22:02:13
> What dosage are you taking? ANd how often?
Sorry to interrupt, but I'd now like to redirect this thread to Psycho-Babble Alternative. Here's a link:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20050510/msgs/503561.html
Thanks,
Bob
This is the end of the thread.
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