LongevityResearch profile

NAD+

Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide · NAD · Coenzyme 1

Think of it as your cells' fuel for maintenance and repair.

NAD+ works like a power-up for your cells, especially as you age. It's a little molecule that's crucial for helping your cells turn nutrients into energy. As you get older, the levels of NAD+ in your body drop, which might be why you start to feel less energetic and more sluggish over time.

Scientists are looking into how boosting NAD+ levels could help your body keep its energy levels up and even help repair your DNA. It's like giving your cells the tools they need to keep running smoothly, especially in the face of stress or damage. While some people get an IV drip to top up their NAD+, there are also other ways being explored, like precursors that your body can convert into NAD+.

It's a hot topic in the world of longevity and keeping your cells feeling youthful, but it's not just about popping a pill — the science is still unfolding on how best to use it.

Who it's for

Biohackers looking to optimize cellular energy
Aging adults interested in longevity research
People curious about cutting-edge wellness trends

Probably not for you if…

Those who dislike needles or IV treatments
People expecting immediate, visible results
Anyone without a keen interest in experimental health approaches

Editorial summary for research context · Not medical advice

Mechanism of Action

NAD+ is a small-molecule coenzyme, not a peptide — tracked here as peptide-adjacent because of its overlap in the longevity research space. It is essential for redox reactions across metabolism and is the required substrate for the sirtuin family (SIRT1-7), PARPs, and CD38. Cellular NAD+ declines with age, and research has explored restoration strategies including direct NAD+ infusion, NMN, and NR precursor supplementation. Administration is most commonly IV-infused in longevity clinic settings because oral NAD+ itself is largely degraded in the gut; subcutaneous and intranasal formulations exist but have less pharmacokinetic data.

Researched Benefits

Sirtuin-pathway support

Research has explored NAD+ restoration as a way to sustain SIRT1/SIRT3 activity, which preclinical models link to mitochondrial biogenesis and stress response.

[Imai & Guarente 2014]

Mitochondrial function (preclinical)

Aged rodent models suggest restoration of mitochondrial respiration and reduced markers of oxidative stress following NAD+ precursor administration.

[Gomes et al. 2013]

DNA repair pathway substrate

NAD+ is the required substrate for PARP enzymes involved in base-excision repair; preclinical work has explored supplementation in DNA-damage contexts.

[Fang et al. 2016]

Research Protocols

The following dosing ranges have appeared in published research protocols. Presented for informational purposes only — not a recommendation for human use.

IV infusion research

Dosage: 500 mg
Frequency: once weekly
Timing: morning
Cycle: 4 weeks

Common longevity-clinic protocol delivers 500-1000 mg IV over 2-4 hours weekly. Infusion rate matters — too-rapid delivery causes chest tightness and nausea. Administered in clinical settings only.

Subcutaneous research

Dosage: 100 mg
Frequency: daily
Timing: morning
Cycle: 4 weeks

Lower-dose subcutaneous protocol used in self-directed research; pharmacokinetics versus IV are not well-characterized. Oral NAD+ is degraded in the gut and generally considered ineffective as a direct NAD+ source.

Reported Side Effects

Chest tightness, flushing, and nausea during IV infusion, especially at fast infusion rates
Transient headache and fatigue post-infusion
Injection-site irritation with subcutaneous routes

Contraindications

Pregnancy and lactation
Active malignancy (theoretical concern — sirtuin and PARP pathways interact with tumor biology in complex ways)
Severe cardiovascular disease (caution with rapid IV infusion)

Stacking Partners

Peptides commonly paired with NAD+ in published research and protocol write-ups.

longevity

Vendor Pricing

72
Southern Aminos
Best $/mg
Size1,000mg
Total$59.25
/ mg$0.06/mg
In stock
View
77
Nova Peptide Supply
Size1,000mg
Total$60.00
/ mg$0.06/mg
In stock
View
74
NextGen Peptides
Size5,000mg
Total$340.00
/ mg$0.07/mg
In stock
View
72
Southern Aminos
Size500mg
Total$33.75
/ mg$0.07/mg
In stock
View
67
Puratek Peptides
Size1,000mg
Total$68.95
/ mg$0.07/mg
In stock
View
73
Royal Peptides
Size1,000mg
Total$90.00
/ mg$0.09/mg
In stock
View
66
Noxamino
Size500mg
Total$45.00
/ mg$0.09/mg
In stock
View
74
Modern Research Peptides
Size1,000mg
Total$87.99
/ mg$0.09/mg
In stock
View

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Gear + Companions

Reconstitution supplies and research-backed supplement companions for NAD+. Editorial picks only — we earn a commission through Amazon on the click, no sponsorship.

Gear you'll need

· Reconstitution + storage essentials

Bacteriostatic Water 30mL (0.9% Benzyl Alcohol)
Empower Pharmacy / generic medical supply
Reconstitutes every lyophilized peptide. 28-day viability refrigerated.
View at Pantheon →
Insulin Syringes 31G × 5/16" × 0.5mL (100 count)
EasyTouch
31G × 0.5mL insulin syringes — the default size for sub-0.25mL peptide doses.
Buy on Amazon →
Alcohol Prep Pads (Sterile, 200 count)
Dynarex
Sterile 70% IPA prep pads — one per vial stopper + one per injection site.
Buy on Amazon →
1-Quart Sharps Disposal Container
BD / Becton Dickinson
FDA-cleared sharps container — pharmacies won't accept improvised disposal.
Buy on Amazon →

Stacks well with

· Supplement companions — independent evidence, not sponsored

NMN (Nicotinamide Mononucleotide) 500mg × 60 caps
Double Wood
Oral NAD+ precursor — cheaper daily stack-mate for injectable NAD+ and natural fit alongside Epithalon + MOTS-c longevity protocols.
Buy on Amazon →
Trans-Resveratrol 500mg (120 capsules)
Double Wood
Sirtuin-activating polyphenol — SIRT1 needs NAD+ as its cofactor. Classic NAD+/sirtuin stack.
Buy on Amazon →

Research Papers

NAD+ and sirtuins in aging and disease
Imai SI, Guarente L · Trends in Cell Biology · 2014
PubMed 24786309 →
Declining NAD+ induces a pseudohypoxic state disrupting nuclear-mitochondrial communication during aging
Gomes AP, Price NL, Ling AJ, et al. · Cell · 2013
PubMed 24360282 →
NAD+ in aging: molecular mechanisms and translational implications
Fang EF, Lautrup S, Hou Y, et al. · Trends in Molecular Medicine · 2017
PubMed 28844447 →

NAD+

Mechanism of Action