If you’ve been hearing about NAD+ and IV therapy but aren’t sure what it all means, you’re not alone. This beginner-friendly guide breaks down what NAD+ is, why it’s so important for your health, and how IV therapy may help support your energy, focus, and long-term wellness.
What exactly is NAD+?
Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) is a coenzyme found in every living cell. Think of it as the “spark plug” that helps your body turn nutrients into usable energy.
NAD+ plays two critical roles:
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Energy production (Krebs cycle): In your mitochondria, NAD+ shuttles electrons through redox reactions that generate ATP—the fuel your cells run on.
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Cell repair and regulation: NAD+ also activates proteins called sirtuins and PARPs that regulate DNA repair, stress responses, and metabolic balance.
Without enough NAD+, energy production slows and the systems that protect you from cellular stress start to weaken.
How NAD+ levels drop with age and stress
Unfortunately, NAD+ levels naturally decline as you age.
Other lifestyle and environmental factors can speed up this depletion:
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Chronic stress
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Poor sleep
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Excessive alcohol intake
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High-fat or low-nutrient diets
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Chronic illness or infections
A 2022 review in Nature Metabolism highlighted that NAD⁺ decline is a consistent feature of aging in both humans and rodents. When NAD⁺ levels drop, the body struggles with energy production, DNA repair, and mitochondrial function. This decline increases the risk of several age-related conditions, including metabolic dysfunction, cognitive decline, and frailty.
What happens when NAD+ is low?
When your NAD+ stores drop, you may start to notice:
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Persistent fatigue or low stamina
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Brain fog, memory lapses, or difficulty concentrating
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Increased stress sensitivity or mood changes
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Slower recovery from illness, workouts, or travel
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Visible signs of aging like skin changes and slower wound healing
Long term, low NAD+ has been associated with metabolic disorders, cardiovascular problems, and neurodegenerative diseases.
How NAD+ supports brain, heart, and cellular health
NAD+ doesn’t just fuel energy—it may also protect and maintains your most vital organs:
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Brain: Supports neurotransmitter balance, cognitive clarity, and memory by keeping neurons fueled and reducing oxidative stress.
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Heart: Helps regulate energy in cardiac cells, supporting strong, steady function.
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Muscles: Fuels performance and speeds recovery from strain or exercise.
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Skin and tissues: Supports collagen repair, reduces oxidative damage, and helps maintain elasticity.
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Immune system: Enhances resilience against infections and inflammatory stress.
How IV therapy restores optimal NAD+ levels
While oral supplements of NAD+ precursors (like nicotinamide riboside or NMN) can help, their absorption can be inconsistent.
NAD+ IV therapy delivers the coenzyme directly into your bloodstream, bypassing digestion. Benefits may include:
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Higher, faster bioavailability than oral supplements
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Rapid replenishment of depleted NAD+ levels
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More noticeable effects on energy, focus, and recovery
Many patients describe feeling a boost in clarity and stamina within hours to days of treatment.
What the Research Says About NAD⁺ Restoration
Researchers have been busy studying how to restore NAD⁺ levels — through IV therapy, oral supplements, and even lab models of aging and memory loss. While the science is still developing, here’s what we know so far.
IV NAD⁺ and IV NR: Early Human Studies
In 2024, scientists tested IV NAD⁺, IV nicotinamide riboside (NR), and oral NR in healthy adults.
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IV NR raised NAD⁺ levels in the blood by about 20% within just three hours.
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IV NAD⁺ also worked, but people experienced more side effects, like temporary immune cell changes and the need for slower infusion times.
These early findings show that IV therapy can raise NAD⁺, but IV NR may be better tolerated. The trial was small and didn’t measure outcomes like fatigue or brain function, so more research is coming.
NR Supplements: Vascular and Brain Health
Oral nicotinamide riboside (NR) is a B3 vitamin supplement that functions as a precursor to nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+). In one trial, older adults took 1 gram of NR daily for six weeks. Researchers saw clear boosts in NAD⁺ and early signs that NR might help lower blood pressure and improve blood vessel health.
Another clinical trial looked at older adults with peripheral artery disease. After four weeks of NR, participants showed better blood flow to the brain, improved thinking test scores, and reduced markers of oxidative stress.
Together, these studies suggest NR could support vascular and brain health — but larger trials are needed to confirm the benefits.
NMN Supplements: Boosting NAD⁺ in Seniors
In a 2022 study, a group of older men took daily NMN (250 mg) for three months. Their NAD⁺ levels nearly tripled, but researchers didn’t see improvements in memory or cognitive scores compared to placebo.
This shows NMN is effective at raising NAD⁺ in the body, but whether it improves day-to-day symptoms like brain fog or fatigue still needs more evidence.
Animal Studies: Clues About Brain Protection
Animal research often points the way for human studies. In mice with an Alzheimer’s-like condition, daily NMN injections improved learning, reduced plaque buildup in the brain, and lowered inflammation.
In rats with reduced blood flow to the brain (a model of vascular dementia), NAD⁺ injections improved memory, protected brain cells from stress, and reduced overactive immune activity.
These results highlight NAD⁺’s potential role in protecting the brain and slowing neurodegeneration.
Overall What Research Indicates
So far, scientists agree on one thing: you can safely raise NAD⁺ levels with IV therapy, NR, or NMN. The exciting part is that boosting NAD⁺ may improve energy, blood vessel health, and brain function.
But here’s the catch — human studies are still small and show mixed results. While animals respond strongly to NAD⁺ restoration, we need larger, longer trials in people to know whether these therapies truly fight fatigue, boost cognition, or slow aging.
Overall, research indicates NAD⁺ restoration looks promising, especially for supporting healthy aging and cellular resilience.
Is NAD+ IV worth it for prevention or performance?
NAD+ IV therapy isn’t just for people managing illness. It may also be considered by:
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High performers: Athletes, executives, and students seeking energy, focus, and recovery support.
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Frequent travelers: Those who deal with jet lag or physical strain.
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Aging adults: Individuals who want to maintain energy and cellular repair as they grow older.
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Wellness-focused patients: People exploring longevity and preventive care.
That said, NAD+ IV therapy is not one-size-fits-all. The best way to know if it’s right for you is by consulting with a licensed provider who can tailor treatment to your health history and goals.
Final Thoughts
NAD+ is one of the most important molecules in your body—fueling energy, protecting cells, and supporting healthy aging. With levels naturally declining over time, NAD+ IV therapy offers a way to restore balance and resilience.
At Heally, we connect patients with licensed clinicians who can guide you through NAD+ therapy safely and effectively. Schedule a free consultation today to explore whether NAD+ IV therapy is right for you.
Sources
- Nature Communications: Chronic nicotinamide riboside supplementation is well-tolerated and elevates NAD+ in healthy middle-aged and older adults
- Journal of Neuroinflammation: NAD+ improves cognitive function and reduces neuroinflammation by ameliorating mitochondrial damage and decreasing ROS production in chronic cerebral hypoperfusion models through Sirt1/PGC-1α pathway
- Pubmed Central: NAD+ in DNA repair and mitochondrial maintenance
- International Journal of Molecular Sciences: The Central Role of the NAD+ Molecule in the Development of Aging and the Prevention of Chronic Age-Related Diseases: Strategies for NAD+ Modulation
- Frontiers: The effects of NAD+ precursor (nicotinic acid and nicotinamide) supplementation on weight loss and related hormones: a systematic review and meta-regression analysis of randomized controlled trials
- ScienceDirect ELSEVIER: Prophylactic nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) mitigates CSDS-induced depressive-like behaviors in mice via preserving of ATP level in the mPFC
- MDPI: Cross-Sectional Associations between Dietary Daily Nicotinamide Intake and Patient-Reported Outcomes in Colorectal Cancer Survivors, 2 to 10 Years Post-Diagnosis
- Pubmed Central: The Role of Kynurenine Pathway and NAD+ Metabolism in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
- WedMD: NAD Therapy for Addiction: What to Know
- Pubmed Central: Impact of Boosting NAD on Immune Function: Results From NR Preclinical Studies
- American Journal of Physiology-Endocrinology and Metabolism: Evaluation of safety and effectiveness of NAD in different clinical conditions: a systematic review
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendation. Information about prescriptions and therapies is provided for general understanding and may not apply to individual situations. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before making decisions about testing, treatment, or lifestyle changes that could affect your health.
Important Note
FDA-approved medications and diagnostic tools discussed in this article have specific indications, dosing, and monitoring requirements. Off-label uses or unregulated supplements may carry additional safety, quality, and effectiveness risks. Never start, stop, or change any medical regimen without guidance from a licensed clinician who can consider your full medical history and current health status.
