NAD+
Also known as NAD+ IV, NAD, NAD plus, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, NAD IV, NAD injection
Typical dose
IV 250–750 mg / SubQ 50–100 mg
IV periodic / SubQ daily
Half-life
~hours
What is NAD+?
Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide. Directly replenishes cellular NAD+ for metabolic and neurological effects. Given IV in clinic or SubQ at home; oral precursors (NMN/NR) are the gentler route.
How NAD+ works
Serves as a critical cofactor for sirtuins (SIRT1-7), PARP enzymes, and the electron transport chain — directly restoring NAD+-dependent metabolic and repair pathways that decline with age.
Benefits & uses
- Cellular energy
- DNA repair
- Anti-aging
- Cognitive function
- Longevity
- Metabolism
Common uses: Energy metabolism, cellular repair, addiction recovery, cognitive clarity, anti-aging, mitochondrial function.
NAD+ dosage
- Typical dose
- Typical: IV 250–750 mg per session; SubQ 50–100 mg/day.
- Protocol notes
- SubQ: 100-300mg per injection. IV: 250-1000mg infusion. Oral NMN: 500-1000mg/day.
NAD+ half-life
~hours (turnover varies by tissue)
NAD+ side effects
Flushing, chest tightness, nausea during infusion (rate-dependent). Very safe when administered slowly.
- Flushing, warmth, chest pressure during infusion (slow the drip rate)
- Nausea during infusion
- Headache post-infusion (uncommon)
- Hypotension if infused too rapidly
- Injection site discomfort (SubQ route)
Warnings & monitoring
- Research use only for injectable form
- IV infusion should be done slowly — nausea if too fast
- Oral precursors (NMN/NR) may be safer starting point
Preparation & storage
- Preparation
- Often pre-mixed for IV (infuse SLOWLY). SubQ: mix 500 mg with 5 mL bac water → 100 mg/mL.
- Reconstitution
- Often supplied pre-mixed for IV. For SubQ: reconstitute a 500 mg vial with 5 mL BAC water → 100 mg/mL. IV must be infused SLOWLY.
- Storage
- Lyophilized or liquid: refrigerate (2–8 °C). IV solution: use immediately after preparation.
NAD+ interactions
with Metformin
Caution · lowResearch (Barzilai et al.) suggests metformin may interfere with exercise-induced mitochondrial biogenesis associated with NAD+ precursors. Consider cycling metformin or timing apart from exercise.
Timing: Metformin may blunt exercise-adaptation benefits of NAD+ precursors
with 5-Amino-1MQ
Compatible5-Amino-1MQ blocks NNMT (which depletes NAD+ precursors) — stacking with exogenous NAD+ amplifies NAD+ availability for sirtuin and CD38 pathways.
Timing: NAD+ injections weekly, 5-Amino-1MQ daily oral
with Epithalon
CompatibleEpithalon lengthens telomeres while NAD+ restores mitochondrial function — complementary longevity mechanisms with no known pharmacological interaction.
Timing: Run concurrently; Epithalon injection site separate from NAD+ administration route
with MOTS-c
CompatibleMOTS-c is a mitochondrial-derived peptide that activates AMPK and improves metabolic flexibility. Combined with NAD+ (sirtuin activator), this stack comprehensively supports mitochondrial biogenesis and cellular energy.
Timing: MOTS-c SubQ daily; NAD+ separately — complementary mitochondrial support
with NMN
CompatibleNMN is a NAD+ precursor — taking both is largely redundant but not harmful. NMN converts to NMN then NAD+. Choose one precursor and optimize dosing rather than stacking.
Timing: Morning administration for both; sublingual NMN or oral NAD+ precursors
with Resveratrol
CompatibleResveratrol activates sirtuins (SIRT1) which require NAD+ as a cofactor. Synergistic longevity combination. Resveratrol may inhibit NMN absorption — space apart by 30 minutes.
Timing: Both taken in the morning; resveratrol fat-soluble — take with food
with Semax
CompatibleNAD+ restores mitochondrial energy while Semax elevates BDNF — together they provide complementary neuroprotective and cognitive-enhancing effects.
Timing: NAD+ in the morning; Semax nasal in the morning alongside or 30 min after
with SS-31
CompatibleBoth target mitochondrial dysfunction through different pathways (SS-31 via cardiolipin, NAD+ via sirtuins) — strong synergy for cellular energy restoration.
Timing: Administer SS-31 SubQ; NAD+ IV or SubQ separately; can be same-day protocol
Commonly stacked with
Track NAD+ in Protokol.
Log doses, model half-lives, check interactions, and line it all up against your bloodwork. Free on iPhone and Android.
