Age Management
NAD+ (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide)
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Can NAD+ Really Reverse Aging? What Animal and Human Studies Say
Aging isn’t just about wrinkles and gray hair — it's about what happens inside your cells. At the heart of this process is NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide), a molecule that fuels critical biological processes like DNA repair, energy production, and cellular resilience. Over the past decade, NAD+ has gone from an obscure coenzyme to the star of anti-aging research. But how much of the hype is supported by real science?
Let’s break down what animal and human studies have actually show
What is NAD+ and Why Does it Decline with Age?
NAD+ is essential for cell metabolism and acts as a key regulator of aging by influencing:
Mitochondrial function
DNA repair
Cellular stress responses
Sirtuin activation (proteins linked to longevity)
As we age, NAD+ levels decline sharply, impairing these processes. This has made NAD+ restoration a major target for anti-aging therapies.
Animal Studies: Promising
Most of the excitement started with mouse models and other laboratory animals. Here’s what researchers have seen:
Reversal of Age-Related Damage
NAD+ precursors (like NR – nicotinamide riboside, and NMN – nicotinamide mononucleotide) have reversed age-related decline in mice, improving:
Mitochondrial function
Cognitive performance
Physical endurance
Insulin sensitivity
Improved Longevity and Healthspan
Some studies report increased lifespan in animals given NAD+ boosters.
Others found improved organ function (heart, liver, brain) and protection against age-related diseases such as neurodegeneration.
One pivotal study from Harvard (2013) showed that NAD+ restoration could make old mouse cells “indistinguishable” from young ones within a week.
Bottom line: In animals, boosting NAD+ often results in dramatic improvements in age-related decline — though it’s not exactly “immortality in a bottle.”
Human Studies: Early Days, Modest Results
The big question: Does this translate to humans? The answer is “partially” — and cautiously optimistic.
Safety and Bioavailability
NAD+ precursors (like NR and NMN) are generally well-tolerated in humans, with minimal side effects.
Blood levels of NAD+ do increase with supplementation, proving bioavailability.
Potential Cognitive Benefits
Some small-scale studies show improvements in cognitive performance in older adults or people with mild cognitive impairment after NAD+ precursor use.
Metabolic and Physical Health
A few clinical trials suggest:
Improved cardiovascular health
Better insulin sensitivity
Slight reductions in inflammatory markers
Improved muscle strength and endurance
But results are inconsistent, and many studies are:
Short-term
Small in size
Focused more on safety than long-term aging outcomes
What’s Missing?
Large, long-term trials on actual aging markers, disease incidence, or longevity
Standardization across NAD+ delivery methods (oral vs IV, NR vs NMN)
The Takeaway: Hope, But Not a Fountain of Youth (Yet)
Studies clearly show NAD+ can reverse multiple signs of aging in mice and rats but benefits in humans remain unproven at this point.
NAD+ is not a miracle anti-aging cure, but it may be a promising piece of the puzzle — especially when paired with other science-backed habits like diet, exercise, and sleep.
Benefits from NAD+ injections are usually noticed within the first month or two of consistent use.
What Are NAD+ Injections
NAD+ injections are intramuscular (IM) or intravenous (IV) doses of the NAD+ molecule, administered to increase its availability in the body. By bypassing the digestive system, injections deliver NAD+ directly into the bloodstream, allowing for faster and more efficient absorption.
At Skinspirations, you can choose to have injections in the office or self-administer them at home.
Maximizing The Results Of Your NAD+ Treatments
NAD+ Dosing
Initially, it’s best to start with a small dose in the first month to allow your body to become accustomed to the NAD+. NAD+ is usually taken 2 to 3 times a week. Take it on the same days each week. Never use more than 0.5ml in less than 24 hours to avoid side effects like anxiety, insomnia, and heart palpitations.
NAD+ doses may be increased over time to 0.5ml, taken 2-3 times per week. This dose produces benefits for most users with the least risk of side effects.
Preparing Your Dose
You will be supplied with everything you need for one month’s worth of NAD+.
Refrigerate your vial as soon as you get home. Next, be sure to review and remember to sterilize the top of the vial with an alcohol wipe each time.
As a subcutaneous or IM injection. NAD+ is best administered on either your stomach or upper arm. To avoid irritation, administer the injection in a different location than the last one.
Finally, choose a dosing schedule that works for you. For example, if you’ll be injecting 3 times per week, decide whether Monday/Wednesday/Friday is a viable schedule to keep on a consistent date. Try setting alarms or calendar reminders to keep you on track.
Dosing & Titrating with NAD+
NAD+ is most commonly prescribed at a dose of 0.5ml, taken 2-3 times per week. This has been indicated as providing the best balance of improved energy and weight loss benefits for most users, with the most minimal occurrence of side effects.
However, it’s important to ease yourself into the target dose. To do this, you’ll start with a smaller dose and gradually ramp up to the target dose over time.
For your first dose, start by injecting 0.1ml. Pay careful attention to how your body responds to the initial dose to decide when it’s best to ramp up.
When you’re ready, you may titrate up to a dose of 0.25ml, up to 3 times per week. Follow the same process as above before moving up to the target dose of 0.5ml.