NAD+
Also known as: Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, NAD, NMN (nicotinamide mononucleotide — precursor), NR (nicotinamide riboside — precursor)
Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, a coenzyme critical for cellular energy metabolism, DNA repair, and mitochondrial function. Used for anti-aging and metabolic optimization.
Research Status
Research compound
For research purposes only. Not approved for human use. Not medical advice.
Research Areas
Side Effects
Typically resolve within 1-2 hours. Minimize by allowing solution to reach room temperature, using proper injection technique, and rotating sites. Apply ice if swelling persists.
May occur within 10-30 minutes of injection, particularly with higher doses. Self-resolving; no intervention required. More common with IV infusion than subcutaneous injection.
Reported in some users, particularly with initial doses. Usually resolves within 1-2 hours. Ensure adequate hydration and consider taking with food.
More common with oral NAD+ precursors (NMN, NR) than subcutaneous injection. If persistent, take with food or reduce dose. Discontinue if severe.
NAD+ activates circadian pathways and may increase alertness. Dose in morning or early afternoon to avoid evening sleep disruption. Some users report improved sleep with morning dosing.
Preventable through rigorous site rotation. Rotate injection sites with each dose, leaving at least 1 inch between points. Maintain a detailed injection log. If lipodystrophy develops, discontinue injections at that site for 4-6 weeks.
May occur in first 1-2 weeks as cells adapt to increased NAD+ and metabolic activity. Typically resolves as tolerance develops. Ensure adequate sleep and hydration.
Discontinue immediately and seek medical attention if rash, hives, or difficulty breathing develop. May indicate hypersensitivity to the peptide or excipients. Do not re-administer.
Risk minimized by strict aseptic technique, proper site rotation, and skin cleaning. Seek medical attention if site becomes warm, red, swollen, or painful beyond 24 hours post-injection, or if systemic symptoms (fever, chills) develop.
Dosing Reference
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Dose range | 250-500 mcg |
| Frequency | 1-2x daily |
| Timing | Morning or post-exercise for metabolic benefit; some protocols use evening dosing for circadian alignment |
| Route | Subcutaneous |
NAD+ is typically administered as a precursor (NMN, NR) or direct IV infusion rather than free NAD+ due to poor oral bioavailability and cell membrane impermeability. Subcutaneous NAD+ formulations are research-stage; dosing based on emerging clinical protocols. Start at lower end (250 mcg) and assess tolerance before titrating. For research purposes only.
Research disclaimer
Figures drawn from published research literature and community logs. Not clinical recommendations. Consult a qualified professional. Research use only.
Reconstitution Guide
Do not use saline or bacteriostatic saline — use only bacteriostatic water for reconstitution
Do not shake the vial vigorously; gentle swirling prevents peptide degradation
Discard immediately if the solution appears cloudy, discolored, or contains visible particles
Use within 30 days of reconstitution when stored at 2–8°C
Do not freeze the reconstituted solution; freezing may denature the peptide
Use the PeptideVolt reconstitution calculator for your exact concentration
Molecular and Pharmacological Data
| Molecular weight | 663.43 |
| Half-life | Approximately 0.5-1 hour (free NAD+ in plasma); NMN and NR precursors have longer half-lives (1-2 hours) and are more stable for supplementation |
NAD+ is a critical coenzyme that accepts and donates electrons in cellular redox reactions, powering ATP synthesis and energy metabolism. It serves as a substrate for NAD+-consuming enzymes including sirtuins (longevity regulators), PARPs (DNA repair), and CD38 (immune signaling), making it central to mitochondrial function, genomic stability, and cellular stress responses. Declining NAD+ levels with age contribute to metabolic dysfunction and cellular senescence; restoring NAD+ through precursor supplementation (NMN, NR) or direct infusion activates these pathways and may reverse age-related decline.
Sirtuin Activation (SIRT1-7)
NAD+ is the obligate substrate for sirtuins, a family of NAD+-dependent deacetylases that regulate metabolism, stress resistance, and longevity. Sirtuins deacetylate key metabolic proteins (PGC-1α, FOXO3a, p53) to enhance mitochondrial biogenesis, autophagy, and DNA repair. Higher NAD+ levels increase sirtuin activity, promoting metabolic flexibility and anti-aging effects.
Mitochondrial Oxidative Phosphorylation
NAD+ is recycled in the electron transport chain as NADH is oxidized back to NAD+, enabling continuous ATP synthesis. NAD+ availability directly limits the rate of glycolysis and the citric acid cycle; restoring NAD+ enhances aerobic metabolism and energy production, particularly during exercise and fasting.
DNA Repair (PARP Pathway)
Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerases (PARPs) consume NAD+ to catalyze ADP-ribosylation of DNA repair proteins in response to DNA damage. Higher NAD+ levels support robust DNA repair capacity, reducing mutation accumulation and genomic instability associated with aging.
Circadian Rhythm Regulation
NAD+ levels oscillate with circadian rhythm and regulate clock gene expression through SIRT1 and other NAD+-dependent enzymes. Restoring NAD+ supports circadian alignment, improving sleep quality, metabolic timing, and hormone secretion.
Immune Signaling (CD38/cADPR)
CD38 is an NAD+-consuming enzyme that generates cyclic ADP-ribose (cADPR), a second messenger in immune and calcium signaling. Elevated CD38 activity (common in aging and inflammation) depletes NAD+; restoring NAD+ may suppress excessive immune activation and chronic inflammation.
- NAD+ levels decline ~50% from age 20 to age 80, contributing to metabolic dysfunction and age-related disease
- Free NAD+ cannot cross cell membranes; supplementation uses precursors (NMN, NR) or IV infusion to restore intracellular NAD+
- NAD+ is both a substrate and a signaling molecule; its effects span energy metabolism, gene expression, and stress responses
- Sirtuin activation by NAD+ mimics caloric restriction and exercise, triggering metabolic adaptation and longevity pathways
- NAD+ availability is rate-limiting for mitochondrial ATP production; restoring NAD+ enhances aerobic capacity and endurance
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View all peptidesResearch Use Only. All content on this page is provided for informational and educational purposes related to scientific research. NAD+ is not approved for human use by the FDA or any equivalent regulatory body. This is not medical advice. Do not use any substance discussed here for therapeutic, diagnostic, or preventative purposes. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any health-related decisions. The Peptide Volt does not endorse the use of any research chemicals. 18+ only.