Is NAD+ the Fountain of Youth? Science vs. Influencer Hype

Jan 21

In today’s society it appears everyone is really on the hunt for the fountain of youth, and the frontrunners in this race are often the biohackers. If you’ve spent any time on social media lately, you’ve likely seen celebrities and influencers hooked up to IV drips, claiming they are literally "reversing their biological age" and have found the much elusive fountain of youth.

The molecule they are talking about is called NAD+. It has recently moved from niche longevity labs to high-end wellness clinics and has been made available in both pill and IV form to reverse aging at the cellular level. But before you drop $500 on a single injection, let’s take a minute to separate the cellular science from the marketing magic.

What the Heck is NAD+?

Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NAD+) is a coenzyme found in every living cell. Think of it as the "delivery truck" for cellular energy. It has two primary jobs:

Fueling the Factory: It helps your mitochondria turn food into energy.
The Repair Crew: It activates proteins and enzymes, which repair damaged DNA and keep your cells resilient.

Why would you need more? Our NAD+ levels naturally decline by about 50% between the ages of 40 and 60. This decline is linked to many signs of aging, which is why the "replacement" theory is so popular.

Influencers are also promoting NAD+ as a “magic bullet” that provides other benefits like instant mental clarity, eliminating jet lag, and halting aging.

That Sounds Great! Sign Me Up!

Not so fast! Before we just take these influencers at their word, let’s look at the science…

The Science: NAD+ is naturally occurring in our cells. Specifically our cells… not our stomachs, not our blood, just in the cell. Why is this important? Since NAD+ is not being found in other parts of the body and transported to its final destination, there is no transporter to the cell. This means that whether you are getting external NAD+ through an oral supplement or an IV, there is no way for that NAD+ to make it into your cell where it actually does its work.

Studies have shown that through supplementation we can raise NAD+ levels in the blood, but once again, that is in the blood. And we need it in the cell! So while marketers might be able to say you are raising blood levels of this compound that isn’t proving efficacy or impact.

The Big Myth: "If You Feel Bad, It’s Working"

One of the most concerning trends in the NAD+ movement is the normalization of physical distress. During IV therapy or high-dose injections, patients often report:

Intense nausea or "stomach flipping"
Chest tightness or pressure
Headaches and "brain zaps"
A "flu-like" feeling of heaviness

Wellness providers sometimes frame this as a "healing crisis" or a sign that your cells are "detoxing" and repairing. This is scientifically inaccurate.

In reality, these feelings are usually a physiological stress response. As I mentioned earlier, NAD+ isn’t found in the blood, it is in the cells. So when our body notes a large influx in our bloodstream it thinks there is something wrong. A large inflammatory response is triggered to clear the NAD+ and that is what creates these negative symptoms. Pain and nausea are your body’s "Stop" signals, not signs of progress. If a treatment makes you feel like you’ve been hit by a bus, it’s a sign of a bad protocol, not a "deep clean."

So Why is This Topic Worth Discussing?

You might be saying to yourself right now, thanks for wasting my time lady! Why did I read this whole article just to be told that this supplement is crap? The reason this is worth talking about is a little thing called Nicotinamide Riboside, or NR. NR is a precursor to NAD+ and is capable of being transported into the cell from the bloodstream. Preliminary research is showing promise with supplementation supporting an increase in NAD+ at the cellular level. It also doesn’t make you feel like you are dying when you supplement with it, that’s nice! You can find NR supplements available in both pill and IV form and they are much more affordable than NAD+.

The Verdict

Is NAD+ the fountain of youth? Probably not a "fountain," but it has been shown to play a role. Maintaining your NAD+ levels is a smart move for long-term health, but you don't need a needle to do it. For 99% of people, the best "longevity hack" is still a combination of:

Resistance Training: Lifting weights is one of the most effective ways to naturally trigger NAD+ production.
Quality Sleep: Your body replenishes NAD+ during deep sleep cycles.
Oral Supplements: If you want an extra boost, high-quality oral precursors (like NR) are safer and better studied than trendy IV drips.