Taking Niacin to stop the Binge

[TheCornerGirl]

Has anyone ever experienced a complete or almost complete fading of that intense urge to binge or overeat on carbs/sugar after taking Niacin supplements?

I take a lot of vitamins every day and Niacin is a new one. I know that it can cause health complications taken at too high a dosage, but so far I've been taking just one at night after work, because I tend to have a crazy strong urge to binge after getting home from work and it helps immensely.

The famous "niacin flush" is crazy though, haha. You will itch a little and look like you have hives if you take 500mg+ at a time. So it's not good all of the time, but I thought it would be worth sharing this info with the people on here who get tempted to binge when they are alone.

I hope my post doesn't come off wrong - Niacin doesn't take away your appetite, so I don't consider this a"pro ana 'tip' ". It simply calms my anxiety and helps me to eat reasonable amounts and not only eat emotionally.

[becauseittastesgood]

Thanks, Ill have to try this one.

[Maria527]

Hmmm... the only thing I've ever known about niacin is that it helps lower high cholesterol. I've taken it for years and it's never had an affect on my binge urges.

[Disordered]

It's interesting that you post this - I have not taken niacin since I have developed BED (after being severely restrictive and underweight for about 1.5 years), but I used to drink 5 hour energies a lot, which have niacin as a main ingredient, and I have to say although I felt more alert and awake, I also felt more calm and in control. Niacin seems worth a shot.

Also, I have heard that certain amino acids can help... specifically Tyrosine, Glutamine and 5-HTP. I have no idea what doses or times to take them, though.

[mischa]

It's interesting that you post this - I have not taken niacin since I have developed BED (after being severely restrictive and underweight for about 1.5 years), but I used to drink 5 hour energies a lot, which have niacin as a main ingredient, and I have to say although I felt more alert and awake, I also felt more calm and in control. Niacin seems worth a shot.

Pretty sure that's just the caffeine?

I doubt niacin, or any 'natural' remedies. We need decent therapy.

[leylusha]

niacin is B6 right? personally i've never ever noticed any kind of effect from B-complex pills or the like, I mean I guess it was beneficial for me to take them as a vegetarian, but.. Yeah, my employer always gave me B12 to raise my energy and it never did squat. I guess it depends on the person and the brand. It might even be a placebo sort of thing, but hey, you do what you gotta do I'm super glad you found a healthy way to combat your anxiety.

[LittleFoot]

Be careful with the high doses. Nerve damage is a very serious side effect. And happens frequently.

[Disordered]

Pretty sure that's just the caffeine?

I doubt niacin, or any 'natural' remedies. We need decent therapy.

It could have been, but I don't get calm with coffee... definitely get more jittery. I'm not saying it's a cure-all, but it could affect some part of the brain that creates anxiety or something! Who knows... what works for one will inevitably not work for another.

[silver_elf]

If you have a deficiency, it'll work miracles (or it'll feel like it)
If you don't, taking extra won't do anything. Same goes for anything else.

Could be worth trying a couple different supplements to see if any of them help you feel even a bit better though

[Blue Spirit]

Err, no. I looked it up and it is found in tuna, but I eat tuna every day and end up bingeing. D:>