Evidence supporting the use of: Vitamin B3
For the health condition: Schizophrenia
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Vitamin B3 (niacin) has a historical association with the treatment of schizophrenia, primarily stemming from the work of Dr. Abram Hoffer and colleagues in the 1950s and 1960s. Hoffer promoted the use of high-dose niacin therapy for schizophrenia, claiming it could reduce symptoms and improve outcomes. This approach became a cornerstone of "orthomolecular psychiatry," a movement that emphasized high doses of vitamins and nutrients as treatments for mental illnesses. However, the scientific community has not widely accepted these claims. Multiple controlled studies conducted since the 1970s have failed to demonstrate consistent or significant benefits of niacin supplementation for schizophrenia. Major psychiatric and medical organizations do not recommend niacin as a treatment for schizophrenia, and the proposed mechanisms—such as altering neurotransmitter synthesis or reducing oxidative stress—remain speculative and unsupported by robust evidence. While there are rare cases where niacin deficiency (pellagra) can cause psychosis-like symptoms that resolve with supplementation, this is not the same as schizophrenia. In summary, the use of Vitamin B3 for schizophrenia is primarily supported by historical and traditional use, with current scientific evidence rated as weak (2/5) and not supportive of routine supplementation for this condition.