"i recently watched the movie food matters and learned that niacin can be used to treat depression and alcoholism in addition to high cholesterol. i began taking last week, and have noticed a gradual improvement in my mood as i increase the dosage. make sure you start low and increase gradually, though: the first time i took it i took 100mg with a light snack and ended up stripping down and standing in my kitchen panting, but there were no lasting negative effects."