NAD+

01 What is NAD+?

NAD+ is not some exotic peptide — it's a molecule that every cell in your body already produces. It's essential for converting food into energy, repairing DNA, and regulating your circadian rhythm. The problem? Your NAD+ levels drop by roughly 50% between ages 40 and 60. And when NAD+ drops, everything starts to slow down. This is why the longevity community is obsessed with NAD+ precursors — compounds like NMN (nicotinamide mononucleotide) and NR (nicotinamide riboside) that your body converts into NAD+. The idea is simple: if declining NAD+ drives aging, then boosting it should slow aging down. The research is genuinely exciting, though still early in humans.

02 How Does It Work?

NAD+ is a coenzyme required by sirtuins (SIRT1-7) — proteins that regulate cellular health, DNA repair, inflammation, and metabolism. When NAD+ is abundant, sirtuins are active and your cells function optimally. When NAD+ declines, sirtuins can't do their job, and cellular dysfunction accumulates. NAD+ also fuels PARPs (poly ADP-ribose polymerases), which are critical for DNA repair. As you age and accumulate more DNA damage, PARPs consume more NAD+, creating a vicious cycle. Supplementing with precursors aims to break this cycle.

03 What Does The Research Say?

David Sinclair's lab at Harvard has published extensively on NAD+ and aging, showing dramatic lifespan extension in mice. Human trials are ongoing and show promising results: improved insulin sensitivity, reduced inflammation, better vascular function. A 2021 trial showed NMN supplementation improved muscle insulin sensitivity in prediabetic women. However, the longevity claims are still theoretical in humans. We know NAD+ declines with age. We know supplementation raises NAD+ levels. What we don't yet know definitively is whether this translates to longer human lifespan. The mechanistic evidence is strong, but we need more long-term human data.

04 Reported Dosages

NMN: Commonly supplemented at 250mg-1000mg daily. David Sinclair reportedly takes 1000mg daily. NR (Niagen): Typically 300-600mg daily. NAD+ IV infusions: 250-750mg per session (clinical settings only). NAD+ nasal sprays: Emerging delivery method, dosages vary. These are legal supplements available over the counter in most countries.

05 Side Effects & Risks

Generally well-tolerated. Some people report mild nausea, headache, or flushing initially. NMN can occasionally cause digestive discomfort. Long-term safety data in humans is limited but no serious adverse effects have been reported in clinical trials to date.

06 Legal Status

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