NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) happens naturally in all living cells of your body and helps power your body’s mitochondria and ensures that you have proper energy levels. But NAD+ has a bigger role than just converting food to energy; it also plays a vital role in preserving DNA integrity, helps hundreds of biological processes, helps cells function the way they’re supposed to, and protects us from aging and disease.
People who experience certain age-related illnesses, headaches, chronic pain, mental illness, cognitive issues, or just low-energy levels may benefit from NAD+ therapy.
Here’s What Happens During NAD+ Therapy
Most NAD+ therapy sessions can take up to two days, with patients required to be connected to an intravenous (IV) drip one to two times per week for two to four hours each session. This may vary by person, overall health, the condition being treated, and other factors your healthcare provider will talk about before treatment begins.
As you might expect, getting NAD+ therapy intravenously involves needles. Once you’re prepared for treatment, a needle will be inserted into a vein (in the arm or neck) and remain in place until treatment is completed. Treatment is lengthy and may be uncomfortable, but the staff at the IV center will make you as comfortable as possible. A tube connects the needle to an IV bag dispensing the medication, and the process may require more than one bag of NAD+.
Infusion centers that offer NAD+ therapy are typically furnished with recliners which can be provided for patients if treatment is expected to last several hours. It will make your experience more pleasant if you bring blankets, something to read, or something else to help pass the time and ensure comfort. Infusion center staff members will answer any questions about items you can or can’t bring with you during treatment.
In all cases, NAD+ therapy is administered by trained medical professionals like nurses, technicians, or others. Therapy sessions demand careful monitoring. Because of this, there is normally a control mechanism attached to the IV line to guarantee proper delivery of the NAD+ mixture. Depending on individual needs or other factors, the liquid will be delivered via gravity or mechanically.
What to expect
Before beginning, a nurse or other staff member will perform a sequence of checks to confirm:
- Your identity
- That the correct medicine and dosage are provided
- The proper time at which the NAD+ therapy should begin, and the expected duration
- How the NAD+ will be dispensed and whether you have related concerns.
Because of the amount of fluid you’ll be receiving, you can expect to have to visit the restroom more than once. This is made possible because the IV bag is mounted to a pole with wheels, allowing you to move as needed and with staff permission.
Are there side effects?
NAD+ therapy doesn’t appear to have any long-term side effects, but some people have reported being temporarily nauseous or having some stomach problems for a short period of time. Other common side effects may include:
- You may experience soreness, redness, or swelling where the needle was inserted
- Slight risk of infection
- Bruising
- Nausea
- Fatigue
- Headaches
- Diarrhea
- Indigestion
- Stomach problems
- Cramps during therapy
- Infection at the injection site, or vein inflammation, but both are rare
- Allergic reactions, which also are rare
The best way to ensure a positive experience from your NAD+ therapy session is to work with a capable and regulated NAD+ therapy service provider to guarantee that safe doses are dispensed, thereby removing the chance of various uncomfortable side effects.
The benefits of NAD IV therapy vastly outweigh these mild and temporary side effects. Most people report that they feel a boost of energy and enhanced mental clarity. The treatment may offer benefits such as:
- Better mental focus and lucidity
- Possibly slow the signs of aging
- Repaired cells and DNA
- More energy
- Better athletic endurance and performance
- A more prolific metabolism
- Fewer mood disorder symptoms
- Possible support for weight loss
- You may have greater muscle mass
- Less body inflammation
- Improved complexion, with fewer fine lines or and more skin elasticity
Final Thoughts
NAD+ therapy is still being studied and may not be for everyone. Your age, physical and mental health, and other factors may or may not make you a candidate for treatment, but the best way to know is to contact your healthcare provider. A medical examination may uncover a previously unknown condition that could benefit from NAD+ therapy.
