NAD IV therapy is a treatment that shows a lot of promise and warrants more scientific research. We know that nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) is naturally occurring in every cell of your body, and that levels diminish naturally as you age.
Key takeaways:
- Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) is a naturally occurring molecule that exists in every cell of our bodies; its levels decrease as we age.
- NAD IV therapy is an intravenous treatment that raises your NAD+ levels by delivering the substance directly to the bloodstream.
- NAD+ IV therapy is known to increase energy levels, assist in weight loss, give mental clarity, and support recovery from addiction.
- Many people use NAD IV therapy for anxiety and depression.
- More research is needed to understand how NAD IV therapy works and its relationship to cellular regeneration.
We also know that NAD plays a vital role in maintaining healthy brain function, regulation of the nervous system, metabolism, and the body’s ability to repair damage as we age. But what is NAD IV therapy and how does it work?
This type of treatment is widely used to increase NAD levels in the body with minimal to no side effects. But is it the most efficient way? In this article, we will cover how NAD IV therapy works, and discuss its effectiveness and alternatives.
How does NAD IV therapy work?
There are a handful of ways to administer NAD+ to the body. The most popular way is intravenous therapy and here is how it works in more detail:
- Intravenous therapy bypasses the digestive system and delivers this coenzyme directly to the bloodstream.
- Once there, NAD+ binds to proteins in your body. Together, they form the active niacin vitamin B3 that is responsible for revitalizing your cells.
- Through this process, it is widely understood that NAD+ therapy restores the body on a cellular level.
NAD is an essential molecule, needed throughout the entire body for healthy functioning. It assists in converting food to energy, repairing damaged DNA, and protecting from aging and disease. NAD exists naturally in the body but can become depleted by the deficiency of vitamins, the occurrence of disease, and addiction.
NAD+ IV therapy introduces this molecule to the body to improve the function of the cells, and immediate results are often reported.
NAD therapy: what options are available?
There are three available treatment options: intravenous, injection, and nasal. Each option works a little differently, varies in cost, and offers unique benefits.
Intravenous therapy
administers NAD+ directly to your bloodstream through your vein. With IV therapy, your NAD levels will immediately increase and many people report feeling the effects right away. Therapy takes place at a clinic and lasts 2–4 hours. During this time, a bag of NAD+ and saline is delivered directly into a vein, keeping you hydrated throughout the process.
Injections
Many people opt for NAD+ injections because they can be administered at home, by yourself, and don’t require an appointment. Injections also bypass the digestive system and land directly into your bloodstream. To receive injections at home, you must complete a physical examination with a doctor or schedule a telehealth consultation.
Nasal sprays
If you aren’t comfortable with needles, nasal sprays are a good option. Nasal sprays can be administered at home and are the least expensive form of NAD therapy. Because the nasal passage is a direct route to the brain, bypassing the bloodstream, many experts speculate that NAD+ nasal sprays uniquely target brain health. One study showed that nasal spray treatment immediately improved brain damage in rats, but research on humans is needed.
NAD IV therapy benefits for the body
Intravenous NAD therapy is known to be the most effective treatment because the fluid can bypass the digestive system before sending it along to the bloodstream. Otherwise, as much as 50% of the coenzyme would be lost. Below you will find the key benefits of NAD IV therapy.
Better effects on mental health
NAD IV therapy benefits cognitive function as well. Brain fog, mental fatigue, and mood disorders are often treated this way, and research is underway to understand the relationship between NAD levels and neurological disorders, such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
Research shows that people with low levels of the enzyme known as sirtuins (SIRT), which protects the nervous system and brain, show higher rates of anxiety. NAD+ activates this enzyme. In addition to SIRT, experts are researching the relationship between oxidative stress, which is also correlated with anxiety and depression, and NAD+ IV therapy. Because of this research, many people find success in using NAD IV therapy for anxiety.
Increases energy production
NAD IV therapy increases energy levels, fights fatigue, and boosts your metabolism, which suggests that it can support weight loss. Some promising research also suggests that raising NAD+ levels can help the body fight off viruses, making it an object of interest for recovery from COVID symptoms.
Helps with addiction recovery, reduces drawbacks
NAD+ IV therapy is widely used in addiction treatment centers and recovery communities to assist in removing cravings, making withdrawal a bearable process, and preventing a relapse. Several studies have shown that NAD+ IV therapy is safe and effective in helping the brain to recover from damage caused by addiction, but more research is needed to understand how it works to eliminate cravings.
NAD IV therapy vs NMN: are they different?
NMN is a precursor of NAD+. This means that once NMN is absorbed, the body can turn it into NAD+. It’s often used in conjunction with NAD IV therapy, and it’s important to understand the differences between them. Let’s look at the NAD IV therapy benefits and disadvantages, and compare them to that of NMN.
How often should I get NAD IV therapy?
How often you need NAD IV therapy depends on your current state of health and your goals. The reason that you come to NAD+ IV therapy will help you and your doctor create a plan together.
While NAD levels rise immediately after treatment, they often fall in the following 4-14 days. Some people receive treatment every day, some every few days, and some as little as twice a year.
What is the dosage for NAD IV therapy?
NAD IV+ therapy dosage is best determined by your doctor. They’ll take into account any health issues you have, your medical history, and your reasons for seeking treatment. NAD IV treatment takes 2-4 hours and a common dosage is 500–1000 mg.
However, some people may receive as little as 100 mg, while others may need higher doses, like 2000 mg.
Can NAD IV therapy cause side effects?
While more research is needed to study the long-term side effects of NAD+ IV therapy, the majority of the identified side effects manifest during the infusion and vanish when the session ends. Some of the reported NAD IV therapy side effects include the following:
- Cramping or pain in the abdominal area
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Indigestion
- Fatigue
- Brain fog
- Tenderness or bruising at the injection site
- Phlebitis (rare)
If you experience side effects during your IV treatment, the drip can be adjusted.
NAD IV therapy contraindications – who should not consider it?
NAD+ IV is considered safe for everyone, and there are no reported drug interactions with the therapy. However, because research is ongoing, your physician will take an assessment of your medical history and may decide that you don’t qualify for treatment. Some of the conditions that may disqualify you include the following:
- Chronic kidney disease
- Grave’s disease
- Myasthenia gravis
- Diabetes insipidus
- Prior superficial thrombophlebitis
- Blood clotting disorders
- Previous head injuries
This isn’t an exhaustive list, and you should always disclose any health conditions or concerns with your doctor before you start treatment.
Final thoughts
NAD IV therapy shows a lot of promise. There is a mountain of anecdotal evidence that NAD IV therapy might be effective in supporting a number of health goals from recovery from addiction to the immune response to weight loss. Some evidence even suggests that NAD IV therapy could be used to treat COVID. As the scientific community continues to understand the role that this molecule plays in our health, we are likely to find many applications that will help us live healthier, longer lives.
