Thread: Hey i was just wondering as to the affects of niacin?

I like to use niacin as a preworkout supplement, the burning flushing affects help me pump a little harder. But could someone please tell me if this has any actual affect or if its just a placebo? Either way im getting positive results. Also what does taking niacin actually do for the body? And i take one 500mg pill in the morning after breakfast... this a safe dosage? Could taking 750mg or 1000 mg be potentially harmful?
Thank you id appreciate any feedback.

I doubt niacin is helping your workout. In fact I've heard it used for cholesterol, vitamin deficiency, and peripheral vascular disease but never this. It's dilating your blood vessels which explains the flushing. Exercising increases the dilation. Alcohol, hot showers, or blood pressure meds may make this even more pronounced. Aspirin an hour before will help get rid of the flushing effect. It probably won't hurt you but I suppose it is theoretically possible to get low blood pressure. Niacin is usually used to decrease triglycerides and cholesterol. If you're taking a statin such as lipitor you may get an increased effect but also increase the likelihood of muscle pain and other side effects. You should be fine on this dosage, just don't exceed 9 grams (9000mg) or you may hurt your liver.