A Month of NAD+: The Weird Wellness Boost I Didn’t See Coming

IV drips without the waiting room.

*trigger warning: if you are squeamish about needles (which I totally understand!) this post might not be for you!*

Happy Friday friends! This week, I’m diving into a little experiment I’ve been conducting over the past month: NAD+ shots. So to start…

What is NAD+?

If you’ve been anywhere near the wellness world lately, you’ve probably heard about this buzzy coenzyme (NAD=nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, say that fives times fast lol). It’s touted as the holy grail for energy, aging, and cellular health, and I wanted to see what it was all about. Context from NCCPA Board Certified Physician Assistant and Clinical Director at R3 Health, Joseph Radich:

“The benefits of NAD injections include; neurotransmitter production, detox, and cleansing effects, mitochondrial repair and rejuvenation, enhanced basal, metabolic rate, immunomodulatory improvement, and longevity enhancing by lengthening teleomeres.”

Why I tried it

As someone who juggles a packed schedule, I’m always looking for ways to support my energy and recovery. At-home NAD+ drew me in for its promise to boost cellular energy, support DNA repair (a fancy way of saying it helps with anti-aging), and improve overall vitality. All without having to sit in an office with an IV drip in my arm for hours. Intrigued? Same here. I do like the benefits of IV drips and thought this would have the same effect without the commute.

The process

I committed to NAD+ shots three times a week. And I’m going to be honest, the shots are no joke if you’re squeamish with needles (I found it okay because I was used to injections during my pregnancy with Preston and Claude). Did not sting/hurt for me but it might for some people!

NAD+ shots vs. IVs, pills, or nasal sprays
There are three common-ish ways for how you can take NAD+:

• Shots vs. IVs
  IVs are probably the most common method for NAD+ delivery, and while they’re super effective, they come with a few drawbacks for me. First, they’re time-consuming. Sitting through a full IV drip can take 2-4 hours, and let’s be real—who has that kind of time multiple times a week? Shots, on the other hand, take a few minutes.

• Shots vs. Pills
  Pills (like NR or NMN supplements) present the challenge of bioavailability… basically, how much of the NAD+ your body actually absorbs. Oral supplements can be broken down in the digestive system so you might not get the full benefits. With shots, you’re bypassing that step and delivering NAD+ directly into the bloodstream for better absorption.

• Shots vs. Nasal Sprays
  Nasal sprays are a newer method. They’re convenient but tend to deliver lower doses of NAD+.

“The two most common methods of administration of NAD are injection and IV infusion. Although both techniques can prove to be therapeutic and efficacious, some patients prefer self administered injections, whereas other people need IV infusion. The injectable method of administration for NAD is certainly more convenient and less time-consuming and it also can be more of an immediate effect as opposed to slow IV administration.

Consistent NAD injections can have just as good if not better of a therapeutic effect, compared to its intermittent interval IV method of administration. By administering ongoing and continuous injections, the patient is able to more quickly and consistently replenish their NAD levels. IV administration of higher NAD doses typically takes longer, and can be more uncomfortable taking anywhere from one to five hours, depending on infusion dose and rate and medical condition being treated. And most people don’t have the time commitment to spend that much time in a medical clinic. Injectable NAD offers a time friendly and efficacious method of administration to help people replenish and maintain optimal NAD levels without the larger time commitment of IV Infusion.” -Joseph Radich, Clinical Director at R3 Health

Why shots work for me

Ultimately I went with the method that would give me the best results in the shortest amount of time. I’ve found the shots to be a happy medium between effectiveness, efficiency, and ease. (If you've tried any of these other methods, let me know!)

The results

Now for the good stuff: the impact.

• Energy levels: Within two weeks, I noticed a more sustained, even energy throughout the day. I wasn’t crashing mid-afternoon or dragging my way to bedtime and I didn’t feel like I was reaching for caffeine to power through meetings, pickups, etc.

• Mental clarity: I felt a huge lift in brain fog. More mental clarity for sure. And my overall mood improved.

• Recovery: After workouts, I felt less sore and more ready to get back to it.

• Skin glow: Not something I expected, but I swear my skin looked brighter and more refreshed by week three.

Final verdict: Would I do it again?

NAD+ shots are an investment (both financially and time-wise) but I will say, I felt the benefits. I feel like my body has been operating on a higher frequency—less sluggish, more alive. Will I keep going? Yes, but I might scale back to twice a week and increase the dosage to see if I can maintain the same benefits by doing this twice a week instead of three.