Niacin (Vitamin B3) and LSD by Abram Hoffer

Studies with Niacin (vitamin B3) and LSD. In: Cholden L (ed.): LSD ( Lysergic Acid Diethylamide ) and Mescaline in Experimental Psychiatry 1956 44-45 Abram Hoffer MD PhD on Vitamin B3 (Niacin) Hoffer, Abram Keywords LSD niacin humans lysergic acid diethylamide perceptual effects pretreatment neurological effects Bibliographies Other Resources: View Abstract / Summary View Full Text Abstract: A short summary of a study on the effect of niacin (nicotinic acid or vitamin B3) upon lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) intoxication. At the height of a subject's experience with 100 gamma [μg] of LSD, he was administered 200 mg nicotinic acid intravenously. Within two to five minutes the LSD effects disappeared, and the subject claimed he was entirely normal. In another instance, a subject was premedicated with 3 g nicotinic acid daily for three days, then administered 100 μg LSD. Effects were delayed until about an hour (instead of the usual 15 to 30 minutes), and most perceptual distortions were prevented. It appears that niacin prevents most of the neurological changes, yet permits many of the psychiatric changes to run their course.