What is NAD+ therapy? The science, the hype and the honest middle

First, what is NAD+?

NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) is a coenzyme found in every living cell. It is an essential participant in the chemical reactions that turn food into cellular energy, and it supports DNA repair proteins. It is not a vitamin and not a hormone; it is a workhorse molecule your body uses constantly just to keep running.

The catch researchers care about: NAD+ levels decline with age. By some estimates, levels fall by roughly half by middle age. That observation, repeated across species, is the scientific seed of the entire NAD+ wellness industry.

What is NAD+ therapy?

NAD+ therapy administers the molecule directly, usually by IV infusion or intramuscular injection, with the goal of raising the body's NAD+ levels for effects such as more energy, better recovery or clearer focus. Delivery method matters: NAD+ is a large, charged molecule, so the way it is given influences how much reaches cells and how the body tolerates it.

At a clinic, a session looks like this: you are evaluated first, then you relax in a recliner while the infusion runs at a controlled rate, with the medical team monitoring you. Reactions such as nausea or a flushed feeling are not uncommon during infusions, which is exactly why supervision matters.

What the research does and does not show

The honest summary: animal and some early human studies are promising, and clinical evidence for wellness benefits is still limited. A 2023 systematic review of 113 studies on NAD+ for anti-aging and wellness found no eligible clinical outcome trials supporting those specific claims. There are small positive studies in specific contexts; for example, one randomized trial reported improved heart function after seven days of NAD+ in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy. But a single disease-specific study does not establish general wellness benefits.

The regulatory reality

NAD+ is not FDA-approved to treat any disease. Products used for NAD+ infusions are compounded drugs, and the FDA has repeatedly flagged quality risks in this space, including a 2024 reminder about food-grade NAD+ sources being unsuitable for sterile compounding and a 2025 Class I recall of a compounded NAD+ product due to contamination. Translation: where your NAD+ comes from and how it is compounded is not a trivia question, and it is fair to ask. See the FDA's reminder for details.

How to think about trying it

Treat NAD+ the way you would treat any medical intervention: as a decision made with a clinician, not with a sales page. A proper consultation reviews your health history, medications and goals, discusses what is known and unknown, and gives you a straight answer about whether NAD+ is a sensible option for you. At APRM Solutions, that evaluation comes before any session, and the team will not oversell the science.