NAD IV therapy is the delivery of NAD+ through a drip into a vein. NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) is a coenzyme found naturally in every cell of the body. A coenzyme is a helper molecule that enzymes need to do their job, and the body makes NAD+ from forms of vitamin B3 (niacin).

The main roles of NAD+ in the body are:

• Energy production: it helps turn the energy from food into usable energy in the mitochondria, the cell’s power plants.
• DNA repair: some of the enzymes that repair damaged DNA need it to work.
• Cell regulation: it plays a role in sirtuins, proteins that regulate how cells respond to stress and manage their metabolism.

Research shows that NAD+ levels in the body tend to decrease with age. What this decline means for health, and how far NAD+ given from outside can change it, are still being researched.

The body constantly produces and recycles NAD+, mainly from the amino acid tryptophan and forms of vitamin B3, so a balanced diet matters too.

NAD+ treatment is also known as an NAD drip or NAD serum. The molecule is given in an IV drip, with the aim of supporting the cells’ NAD+ needs.

It is usually chosen with these aims:

• Energy: to support cellular energy metabolism during busy, tiring periods.
• Mental performance: to support focus and a sense of mental clarity.
• Recovery: to support recovery after intense exercise or demanding periods.
• A holistic plan: as a complement to nutrition, sleep and exercise habits.

Human studies on the effects of NAD+ treatment are limited, and the scientific data are not yet sufficient. NAD+ therapy does not replace the treatment of any disease and should not be seen as something that stops aging. How a person will respond cannot be known in advance and varies from person to person. At our clinic in Nişantaşı, Istanbul, NAD+ treatment is planned only after a doctor’s assessment and when it is considered suitable for you. If you have a diagnosed condition, its treatment should continue with the relevant doctor.

NAD+ IV therapy is planned with a doctor’s assessment and blood tests. Your health history, medicines and test results are reviewed to decide whether the treatment is suitable and at what dose. The doctor decides which tests are needed; kidney and liver function are important in this assessment.

1. A medical examination is done and blood tests are reviewed.
2. A thin cannula is placed in a vein in the arm.
3. The NAD+ drip is given slowly, drop by drop.
4. You are monitored throughout, and the flow rate is adjusted if needed.

A healthcare professional stays close by, and the rate can be slowed or paused if you feel uncomfortable. Because NAD+ can cause discomfort when given quickly, the infusion runs slowly and can take a few hours depending on the dose. You can rest, read or work while it runs, and return to your day afterward. Eating a light meal and drinking enough water beforehand may reduce the chance of dizziness and nausea.

NAD+ treatment is usually planned as a course of 4–6 sessions, once or twice a week. Depending on your needs and the doctor’s assessment, single sessions or monthly maintenance sessions may also be planned.

After a course, treatment may be planned again in the following months if needed. Session intervals and the number of courses are set by the doctor based on your health, test results and response. During the course, keep up regular sleep, enough water and a balanced diet.

NAD+ treatment should be seen not as a solution on its own but as part of a healthy lifestyle. Proper nutrition, regular sleep and exercise are the foundation of this plan. For oral supplements, see our correct supplement usage page.

Side effects during an NAD+ infusion are usually linked to the flow rate and are temporary:

• Pressure: temporary pressure or cramping in the chest or abdomen.
• Digestion: nausea and stomach upset.
• Headache: a mild headache or dizziness.
• Flushing: warmth and redness in the face.
• Cannula site: mild bruising or tenderness.

These usually ease when the rate is slowed. As with any IV treatment, infection or an allergic reaction may rarely occur, so NAD+ treatment should be given under medical supervision in a setting with the necessary emergency equipment.

If you feel chest pain, shortness of breath or palpitations during the infusion, tell the team immediately. You may feel mildly tired or weak for a few hours afterward.