Intravenous wellness treatments have become increasingly popular, and among these wellness IV drips, NAD+ IV therapy is generating significant buzz as a “game changer” for health and longevity. NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) infusions have surged in popularity with record levels of interest and celebrity fans. In this article, we’ll explore the science behind NAD+, the NAD IV therapy benefits being reported, and what to consider if you decide to try this innovative treatment.
Understanding NAD+: The Body’s Cellular Fuel and Repairman
NAD+ is a coenzyme found in every living cell, essential for fundamental biological processes that sustain life and promote health. In simple terms, NAD+ acts like a cellular fuel and a maintenance worker rolled into one. It helps convert nutrients into energy and also assists in repairing cells. In fact, NAD+ serves as a critical helper molecule for numerous reactions in the body, including:
- Energy production – NAD+ enables our mitochondria to generate ATP, the energy currency of cells.
- DNA repair – It is required for enzymes that fix damaged DNA and keep genetic information stable.
- Cell signaling – NAD+ is involved in cell communication pathways and helps regulate cell survival and stress responses.
- Biological clock regulation – Levels of NAD+ influence circadian rhythms, the internal clock governing sleep-wake cycles and metabolism.
- Activation of longevity enzymes – NAD+ is a direct substrate for a family of proteins known as sirtuins. Often referred to as “longevity enzymes,” sirtuins are highly conserved proteins that play critical roles in regulating cellular health, metabolism, and stress resistance. When activated by NAD+, sirtuins help to protect cells from damage, promote DNA stability, regulate gene expression, and improve mitochondrial function. By enhancing sirtuin activity, NAD+ contributes to a more resilient and youthful cellular environment, potentially delaying the onset of age-related diseases and extending healthspan. The robust activation of these enzymes underscores NAD+’s potential as a key player in the pursuit of healthy aging.
NAD+ plays two primary roles: it fuels cellular energy production and powers cellular repair processes. Scientists have been examining NAD+ and cellular repair mechanisms closely, as this coenzyme’s ability to aid in DNA repair and cell maintenance is thought to combat some of the effects of aging.
NAD+ Levels and Aging: The Decline Over Time
Unfortunately, our bodies produce less NAD+ as we get older. NAD+ levels peak in early adulthood and then steadily fall over the years. By middle age, NAD+ depletion becomes significant. The average 50-year-old may have only about half the NAD+ circulating in their body that they did in their twenties. This sharp drop in NAD+ correlates with many familiar signs of aging, including fatigue, slower recovery, and cognitive decline. As enzymes like PARPs (which repair DNA) and CD38 (involved in inflammation) ramp up their activity with age, they consume NAD+ more rapidly, draining the body’s reserves. At the same time, the body becomes less efficient at producing new NAD+.
This age-related NAD+ decline can leave cells struggling to keep up with energy demands and repair needs. When cells can’t produce enough energy or adequately fix damage, the result is often decreased vitality and the hallmarks of aging. It’s no surprise that NAD+ infusions are being embraced as an anti-aging IV therapy. The idea is that replenishing NAD+ in an older person might restore more youthful cellular function. This NAD+ treatment aims to counteract the natural decline in NAD+ levels that occurs with aging, potentially helping individuals maintain better energy levels, cognitive function, and overall resilience as they age.
What Is NAD+ IV Therapy and How Does It Work?
NAD+ infusion therapy involves delivering a concentrated dose of NAD+ directly into the bloodstream via an intravenous drip. By administering NAD+ through an IV, the coenzyme bypasses the digestive system entirely and reaches the cells more efficiently. In fact, delivering NAD+ intravenously ensures essentially 100% bioavailability. NAD+ IV therapy allows your cells to absorb the full dose, with nothing lost to digestion or liver metabolism. This direct delivery is a key advantage over oral NAD+ supplements, which may be broken down in the gut and are limited by the amount of NAD or its precursors that can actually enter cells.
During an NAD+ IV therapy session, a healthcare professional inserts a small IV line and infuses a sterile NAD+ solution slowly into your bloodstream. A NAD infusion must be administered at a controlled, gradual rate. Sessions typically last between 2 and 4 hours for a full dose. The slow drip is important because if NAD+ is infused too quickly, it can cause uncomfortable side effects. Patients usually relax in a recliner during the drip, and because it takes a few hours, you might read, listen to music, or even nap during the appointment.
It’s worth noting that there are other ways to administer NAD+ as well. Some wellness providers offer NAD shots, which are intramuscular injections of NAD+. An injection of NAD+ can be administered much faster than a drip, but usually delivers a smaller amount of NAD+. This can be a convenient option for those who cannot spend a few hours hooked up to an IV. However, an NAD drip via IV remains the most potent way to introduce a high dose of NAD+ into the body in one go. Some clinics even allow patients to add NAD+ to an IV vitamin drip (such as a Myers’ cocktail or other nutrient IV); this means you might get vitamins and NAD+ together for combined benefits. The bottom line is that NAD+ IV therapy is designed to rapidly raise your NAD+ levels in a way oral pills or diet changes cannot, “fueling” your cells with an abundance of this crucial coenzyme.
Energy and Metabolism Benefits of NAD+ IV Therapy
One of the most immediate benefits of NAD+ infusions that people report is an increase in energy and a reduction in fatigue. This makes sense given NAD+’s central role in the mitochondria. Our mitochondria use NAD+ to generate ATP, so more NAD+ can translate to better cellular energy output. Many individuals who try it are looking to get NAD+ therapy for energy, to combat daily exhaustion, brain fog, or the sluggishness that often comes with aging or stress. Restoring NAD+ is akin to topping off the fuel tank for your cells’ engines.
Brain and Cognitive NAD IV Therapy Benefits
Another major reason people turn to NAD+ drips is for cognitive function and brain health. The brain is a high-energy organ, ravenously consuming glucose and oxygen, nd it needs ample NAD+ to keep up with these demands. NAD+ is required for neurotransmitter production and for maintaining neuron health. When NAD+ levels are optimal, brain cells (neurons) can produce energy efficiently and activate internal repair pathways, which may translate to sharper mental performance.
There is also growing scientific interest in NAD+ for neurodegenerative diseases and age-related cognitive decline. In animal studies of aging and Alzheimer’s disease, researchers found that restoring NAD+ to youthful levels in older animals led to improved cognitive function. When the older animals’ brains were “recharged” with NAD+, they performed better on memory and learning tasks, showing that NAD+ is critical for normal cognitive processing. Early human research is also beginning to emerge. For instance, a preliminary clinical trial in 2023 gave high-dose NAD+ precursor supplements to patients with Parkinson’s disease and observed improvements in certain Parkinson’s symptoms and NAD+ levels.
NAD+ IV Therapy and Addiction Recovery
Long before NAD+ drips became trendy for wellness, NAD infusions were used in certain clinics as an experimental aid for addiction detoxification. INAD+ therapy for addiction dates back to the 1960s, when some practitioners observed that intensive NAD infusions seemed to ease withdrawal symptoms in people coming off alcohol or drugs. In recent years, a few addiction treatment centers and “detox” programs have reintroduced NAD+ IV protocols, marketing them as a natural way to reduce cravings and repair the brain from substance abuse damage. The typical approach in such settings is a high-dose NAD+ administered daily for a series of days during acute withdrawal.
How to Access NAD+ IV Therapy
If you’re interested in trying NAD+ IV therapy, the good news is that it’s becoming widely available at specialized clinics and wellness centers. In many cities, IV wellness centers and integrative medicine clinics offer NAD+ infusions alongside other vitamin drips and regenerative therapies. These are often physician-supervised drip lounges or med spas where you can relax in a comfortable setting during your IV treatment. Some providers even have mobile IV services that come to your home. The NAD+ therapy is typically offered as a standalone drip or as part of a tailored IV cocktail for wellness.
To book IV therapy sessions for NAD+, you’ll usually start with a consultation. Clinics may want to review your health history, discuss your goals, and determine an appropriate NAD+ dosing plan. NAD+ IVs can be a one-time pick-me-up, but many clinics recommend a series for best results. They might suggest four weekly infusions as a kickoff, or an intensive protocol over a few consecutive days for those addressing specific issues. After that, maintenance NAD+ sessions can be done monthly or quarterly, depending on your preference. Scheduling is quite flexible – you can often schedule NAD+ infusion online through the clinic’s website or app, choosing a date and time that works for you.
When selecting a provider, look for experienced medical staff (MDs, RNs, or NPs) who are knowledgeable about NAD+. A quality clinic will use medical-grade NAD+ solutions and maintain sterile techniques. Don’t hesitate to ask questions about the source of their NAD+ and how they handle emergencies or side effects. Cost can vary; NAD+ IVs are on the higher end of IV therapy pricing due to the expense of the compound. Prices in the U.S. typically range from a couple of hundred dollars up to over a thousand for a high-dose or prolonged infusion. Some wellness centers offer package deals or membership plans that include NAD+ treatments. As an example of a provider, ModMeds is an integrative wellness center that offers NAD+ IV drips as part of its services. When you arrive for your appointment, you’ll check in, possibly have basic vitals taken, and then get seated comfortably for the IV. The nurse will insert the IV line and start the NAD+ solution flowing at a controlled rate. Since it takes a few hours, feel free to bring a book, laptop, or simply rest. After the infusion, you can typically resume your day, as there’s no significant downtime; however, some people prefer to take it easy if they feel particularly relaxed.
Some providers offer NAD shots or subcutaneous NAD+ injections that you can self-administer at home. These are usually smaller weekly doses. They’re an alternative for maintenance between IV sessions or for those who don’t like IVs, though the absorption is a bit different. Whether via IV drip or injection, accessibility to NAD+ therapy is higher than ever.
NAD+ IV therapy represents an exciting convergence of wellness and cutting-edge biochemistry. By replenishing a molecule central to energy production and cellular repair, it tackles health at a foundational level. Users have reported boosted energy, sharper thinking, and a host of other improvements – no wonder NAD+ drips have been called a game changer. At the same time, it’s essential to approach NAD+ therapy with informed optimism. The benefits of NAD+ infusions observed to date are encouraging, but ongoing research will provide further insights into the long-term effects and optimal applications of this treatment. If you decide to try an NAD+ infusion, you’ll be joining many others in exploring the frontier of longevity science. With proper medical guidance, NAD+ IV therapy can be a valuable tool for energizing your cells and supporting your well-being as you strive for a healthier, more youthful life.
Sources:
- Das, Shanti. “‘It’s not ethical and it’s not medical’: how UK rehab clinics are cashing in on NAD+.” The Guardian, 23 Feb 2025theguardian.comtheguardian.com
- Valdesolo, Fiorella. “I Got the NAD+ IV Infusion Drip Beloved by Celebs and Finance Bros.” Allure, 2 Apr 2025allure.comallure.com
- Mutchler, Cristina. “Health Benefits of Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NAD).” Health.com, 22 Jun 2024health.comhealth.com
- Chen, Bill, and Rizzo, Stacey. “Elevating NAD+ Levels in Brain May Improve Aging, Prevent Alzheimer’s Disease.” UPMC Physician Resources, 5 Jan 2024upmcphysicianresources.com
- Brown, Stephanie. “Is NAD+ a Miracle Anti-Aging Treatment, or Is It Just Hype?” Verywell Health, 5 Oct 2023verywellhealth.com