Can niacin cleanse the body of traces of marijuana use?

Niacin, also known as vitamin B3, helps aid the body regarding blood circulation and enhancing the skin and functioning of the nervous system. Reactions to niacin are commonly referred to as "niacin flush". The "flush" you feel is caused by the small blood vessels expanding in size due to the effects of niacin. As blood flows through the small capillaries it takes with it waste products. In the process of eliminating toxins the cell produces histamines. It is the release of histamines that causes the temporary itching that accompanies a niacin "flush". The "flush" caused by niacin is harmless and passes within a few minutes. After repeated use of a specific dose of niacin the flush disappears until higher doses are taken.

Niacin benefits

Niacin is an important nutrient for your heart health, improves blood circulation and has been linked to the lowering of cholesterol. Niacin dosages of 100 mg to 200 mg and as high as 1000 mg per day have been effective in reducing triglyceride levels. Niacin also tends to increase the effectiveness of chromium. Therefore supplementation with both niacin and chromium tends to increase the effectiveness of each and therefore these supplements are often packaged and sold together.

Effects of niacin deficiency

Deficiency of niacin can cause pellagra and symptoms may show as dermatitis, diarrhea and dementia. Other symptoms of deficiency are cancer sores, depression, fatigue, headaches, insomnia, limb pains, muscular weakness and inflammation.

Niacin drug test & marijuana testing

There are some who believe that taking supplemental niacin can mask the effects of marijuana in the body. Niacin metabolizes and breaks down fat and cholesterol. THC is the main chemical compound found in marijuana. It is thought that it could help flush the body of THC since THC is stored in fat cells. In order for niacin to clear out THC levels to any significant extend it would take extremely high doses of over 2 grams. However, doses of niacin this large would cause liver damage, ulcers, rashes and extreme itching. It is definitely not recommended to use niacin to try and "cleanse the blood" - it is simply too dangerous and the results don't justify the risks.