Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) IV therapy, which involves delivering NAD directly into the bloodstream via an intravenous (IV) drip, is gaining popularity for its purported health benefits. Here's what the current research says:

1. Aging and Age-Related Diseases: NAD+ levels decline with age, and increasing these levels might help combat age-related diseases and potentially extend lifespan. Studies indicate benefits in energy metabolism, oxidative stress reduction, inflammation control, and improved mitochondrial function¹².

2. Cognitive Performance: Some studies suggest NAD+ IV therapy can improve cognitive functions such as attention, memory, and information processing speed. These benefits, noted in pilot studies, suggest potential improvements in global cognitive functioning³.

3. Substance Use Disorder (SUD): Initial research has shown promising results in using NAD+ IV therapy to reduce cravings, anxiety, and depression in patients with substance use disorders. Significant reductions in these symptoms were observed in both preclinical and clinical settings⁴.

4. Clinical Safety and Absorption: Evidence suggests that NAD+ IV therapy is generally well-tolerated with minimal side effects. However, the pharmacokinetic profile indicates that NAD+ is rapidly utilized after IV infusion, with peak efficacy after prolonged administration⁵.

5. Broader Health Applications: There is speculated potential for NAD IV therapy in treating a wide range of conditions including neurodegenerative diseases, certain cancers, diabetes, mitochondrial dysfunction, cardiovascular diseases, and even psychiatric disorders such as depression⁶⁷.

However, it’s important to note that while clinical studies indicate some benefits, the overall evidence is still emerging. Many studies are small-scale or preclinical, and larger, rigorous human trials are needed to solidify these findings and evaluate long-term safety and efficacy.

Footnotes

1. Nady Braidy, "NAD+ therapy in age-related degenerative disorders: A benefit/risk analysis," PubMed, 2020. ↩

2. Dina Radenkovic, "Clinical Evidence for Targeting NAD Therapeutically," NCBI, 2020. ↩

3. Susan Broom Gibson et al., "Intravenous Administration of Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide Improves Cognitive Performance in Human Subjects: Implications for Clinical Populations," ScienceDirect. ↩

4. Kenneth Blum, "Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NAD+) and Enkephalinase Inhibition (IV1114589NAD) Infusions Significantly Attenuate Psychiatric Burden Sequalae in Substance Use Disorder (SUD) in Fifty Cases," PubMed, 2024. ↩

5. Ross Grant, "A Pilot Study Investigating Changes in the Human Plasma and Urine NAD+ Metabolome During a 6 Hour Intravenous Infusion of NAD+," NCBI, 2019. ↩

6. Nady Braidy, "Sobriety and Satiety: Is NAD+ the Answer?," NCBI, 2020. ↩

7. Hailey Shafir LCMHCS, LPCS, LCAS, CCS, "NAD IV Therapy: Side Effects, Costs, & Treatment Applications," Choosing Therapy, 2023. ↩