February 19, 2025
This class on Depression and Niacin gives insights into how this powerful vitamin can impact mental health and overall well-being.
Led by experts, this class explores:
This class is perfect for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of natural approaches to mental health.
Read about this class:
In a powerful and deeply personal class, Dr. John Montalvo, alongside Dr. Andrew Saul, shared his journey of overcoming depression using high-dose niacin therapy. Drawing from his own life experiences and research, Dr. Montalvo delivered a heartfelt message about the connection between nutrition and mental health, and how natural therapies can offer hope when traditional treatments fall short.
A Personal Battle with Depression
Dr. Montalvo opened the session by sharing his struggles with depression, health issues, and personal losses. His journey began with feelings of isolation and shyness from a young age, which later intensified during his college years. Despite academic success, he faced crushing periods of exhaustion and emotional lows due to lack of sleep, stress, and personal disappointments.
Throughout his adult life, he grappled with episodes of sadness, which deepened with significant life events—relationship breakdowns, health crises, and family losses. The turning point came when his wife was diagnosed with breast cancer, and shortly after, he was diagnosed with prostate and colon cancer.
The Turning Point: Natural Healing Through Nutrition
Facing life-threatening illnesses, Dr. Montalvo and his wife turned to holistic treatments, adopting a plant-based diet and natural remedies. Remarkably, within weeks of switching to this lifestyle, both experienced significant health improvements. His wife's tumor reduced by 50%, and his own cancer disappeared in a matter of weeks.
These positive changes led Dr. Montalvo to dive deeper into natural healing methods, exploring the body’s ability to heal through nutrition and lifestyle changes. Despite these health victories, the emotional scars from personal losses continued to weigh heavily on him, leading to deep depression and physical pain.
Discovering Niacin’s Impact on Mental Health
In 2017, Dr. Montalvo discovered The Vitamin Movie, a documentary that introduced him to the potential of high-dose vitamin therapy, particularly niacin (vitamin B3). Dr. Andrew Saul and Dr. Abraham Hoffer’s research highlighted how niacin, combined with vitamin C, could dramatically improve mental health conditions like depression and schizophrenia.
Motivated by these findings, Dr. Montalvo began taking high doses of niacin (3,000 mg daily) along with vitamin C (30,000 mg daily). Initially, he experienced the classic niacin “flush,” a temporary reaction where the skin turns red, hot, and itchy. However, this reaction gradually faded as his body adjusted.
Within weeks, the results were astounding. His depression lifted, chronic pain disappeared, and a renewed sense of joy returned to his life. Over time, Dr. Montalvo reduced his niacin intake but continued to use it as a tool to manage stress and maintain emotional balance.
The Science Behind Niacin Therapy
Dr. Andrew Saul and Dr. Abraham Hoffer’s research on orthomolecular medicine demonstrated the potential of high-dose vitamin therapy for mental health. Niacin helps by improving blood circulation, increasing oxygen supply to tissues, and supporting neurotransmitter function, all of which contribute to better mental well-being.
Key benefits of niacin therapy include:
Potential side effects of high-dose niacin include temporary flushing, nausea, headaches, or skin irritation. These side effects typically subside as the body adjusts.
The Role of Nutrition in Mental Health
Dr. Montalvo emphasized that many mental health challenges stem from nutritional deficiencies. Modern diets often lack essential nutrients, while processed foods, sugary drinks, and pharmaceutical drugs can deplete the body’s natural reserves. According to Dr. Montalvo, addressing these deficiencies through proper nutrition and supplementation can help reverse mental and physical health issues.
His recommendations for supporting mental health naturally include:
A Message of Hope
Through his deeply personal journey, Dr. Montalvo shared a message of resilience and healing. Despite the devastating losses and hardships he faced, discovering the power of nutrition and high-dose vitamin therapy helped him reclaim his mental and physical health. His story underscores the importance of exploring alternative methods for healing when conventional treatments fall short.
For those interested in learning more, Dr. Montalvo recommends visiting:
Final Thoughts
Dr. Montalvo’s class served as both an educational experience and a powerful reminder of the body's ability to heal when given the right tools. His journey highlights the importance of persistence, faith, and the profound impact of proper nutrition in overcoming life’s most challenging battles.
For those struggling with depression or chronic illness, his story offers hope and practical solutions grounded in natural healing principles.