It’s not every day that you find Harvard-trained doctors, wellness influencers, elite athletes, Joe Rogan, and Hailey Bieber nodding in unison. Yet right now, they all seem to be rallying around one little molecule: NAD+. Short for nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, NAD+ is quickly becoming the star of the health and beauty world. Whether it’s in the form of an IV drip, a supplement, a nasal spray, or even infused into your favorite eye cream, NAD+ is being hailed as a kind of modern-day elixir — boosting energy, brightening skin, sharpening the mind, and even slowing down the visible signs of aging.
In the crowded world of wellness trends, NAD+ stands out not just for the hype, but for the science backing it. Experts say it’s not just another fleeting buzzword. NAD+ has been inside us all along — quite literally.
What Exactly Is NAD+?
Mona Rosene, MS, RD, and global director of scientific affairs at Tru Niagen, describes NAD+ as “engine oil for your cells.” Found in every living cell of the body — from the neurons firing in your brain to the muscles powering your workout — NAD+ helps keep everything running smoothly.
It plays two crucial roles:
- Energy creation. NAD+ helps generate ATP, the molecule your cells use for every action, big or small — whether that’s blinking, digesting food, or running a marathon.
- Cellular repair. NAD+ also helps defend cells against stress and damage. For example, after a sunburn, it fuels repair systems that help rebuild and restore skin tissue.
But here’s the catch: NAD+ is always being used up. Every time your body fights inflammation, processes food, or simply keeps you alive, your NAD+ levels dip. And as we age, those levels naturally decline — sometimes dramatically.
Why Aging Depletes NAD+
Leonard Guarente, PhD, Novartis Professor of Biology at MIT and cofounder of Elysium Health, has been studying the link between NAD+ and longevity for decades. He points to proteins called sirtuins, which act like guardians that help slow down the aging process. These sirtuins, however, need NAD+ as fuel.
“As you get older, NAD+ levels start to fall,” Guarente explains. “So not only are you producing less energy in your cells, but you’re also losing the ability of these sirtuin proteins to keep the aging process in check.”
Research shows that NAD+ levels can decline by as much as 50% between the ages of 40 and 60. This drop doesn’t just make you feel more sluggish — it can compromise your body’s ability to repair itself at the cellular level. The result? More visible aging, slower recovery, and an overall dip in vitality.
That’s why the idea of replenishing NAD+ has gained so much momentum. If you can restore levels of this coenzyme, you may be able to reawaken those sirtuins, revive your cells’ energy production, and quite literally slow down aspects of the aging process.
The Rise of NAD+ Treatments
The possibilities sound almost too good to be true, which explains why NAD+ is being embraced in so many different forms. Wellness clinics across the globe now offer NAD+ IV drips — long sessions where the coenzyme is delivered directly into the bloodstream. Supplements containing NAD+ precursors like NMN (nicotinamide mononucleotide) and NR (nicotinamide riboside) are also widely available and more convenient for daily use. For those who prefer beauty over biohacking, NAD+ is showing up in creams and serums marketed to brighten skin and reduce fine lines.
Each delivery method has its pros and cons:
- IV drips and injections deliver NAD+ directly and quickly, though they’re time-consuming and often expensive.
- Supplements (NR and NMN) provide a steady stream of building blocks your body can convert into NAD+.
- Topical creams promise skin-specific benefits, like improved elasticity and repair.
Whether you’re an athlete chasing peak performance, someone navigating midlife fatigue, or simply a skincare devotee, there seems to be a version of NAD+ designed for you.
Longevity, Not Just Anti-Aging
What sets NAD+ apart from many wellness fads is that it shifts the conversation from simply fighting wrinkles to supporting true cellular longevity. Instead of focusing only on how old we look, NAD+ targets how old our cells act.
Think of it this way: skincare serums may smooth fine lines temporarily, but if your cells are running on empty, the glow won’t last. By replenishing NAD+, you’re potentially giving your body the energy and repair tools it needs to function like it did years earlier.
So, Should You Try It?
The science is compelling, though experts caution that not all products are created equal and more research is needed. NAD+ is not a magic bullet, but it could be a valuable tool in the broader picture of health and longevity — alongside sleep, nutrition, and movement.
For now, one thing is clear: NAD+ has captured the attention of doctors, athletes, and beauty insiders alike. And when such an unlikely group finds common ground, it’s worth paying attention.
Because maybe, just maybe, the real “fountain of youth” isn’t a myth — it’s already been flowing inside us all along.
