NAD+ has become one of the most talked-about molecules in longevity and wellness circles — championed by everyone from biohackers to professional athletes. But behind the buzzwords is a real, well-studied coenzyme that your cells depend on every single day. Here’s what NAD+ actually does, why levels decline, and how to decide between IV infusions, injections, or a combination approach.
What Is NAD+?
Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) is a coenzyme found in every cell of your body. It’s essential to two of your body’s most fundamental processes:
- Energy production — NAD+ is required for mitochondria to convert food into usable cellular energy (ATP)
- DNA repair — NAD+ fuels enzymes (like sirtuins and PARPs) that repair damaged DNA and regulate cellular aging
Without adequate NAD+, cells can’t produce energy efficiently or repair damage as effectively — which is part of why NAD+ has become such a focal point in anti-aging and performance-focused wellness.
Why Do NAD+ Levels Decline?
NAD+ levels drop significantly with age. Research indicates that by age 50, NAD+ levels can fall to roughly half of what they were in early adulthood, and they continue declining from there. Beyond aging, several other factors accelerate the decline:
- Chronic stress and poor sleep
- Alcohol use
- High sugar or processed-food diets
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Chronic illness or high inflammation
Many of the effects associated with “getting older” — slower recovery, brain fog, low energy, sluggish metabolism — track closely with declining NAD+ levels. That’s the theory driving much of the current interest in NAD+ supplementation.
What Are the Reported Benefits of NAD+ Therapy?
It’s worth being upfront here: NAD+ therapy is a fast-evolving area of wellness medicine, and while the underlying biology is well established, clinical research on IV/IM supplementation specifically is still developing. That said, clients and providers commonly report benefits including:
- Increased energy and reduced fatigue
- Improved mental clarity and focus
- Support for healthy aging and cellular repair
- Enhanced exercise recovery
- Support for mood and motivation
Some clients also explore NAD+ as part of a broader plan to reduce cravings (caffeine, nicotine, alcohol) — an application that’s popular in wellness circles but still considered emerging rather than definitively proven.
The Different Ways to Get NAD+
Not all NAD+ delivery methods are created equal. Here’s how the main options stack up.
Oral NAD+ / NR / NMN Supplements
Over-the-counter capsules containing NAD+ precursors like nicotinamide riboside (NR) or nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) are widely available. The problem: NAD+ itself, and to a lesser extent its precursors, are broken down significantly in the digestive system before reaching the bloodstream. This makes oral supplementation the least direct and generally least potent option for meaningfully raising cellular NAD+ levels quickly.
NAD+ Intramuscular (IM) Injection
An NAD+ injection delivers NAD+ directly into the muscle, where it’s absorbed into the bloodstream — bypassing digestion entirely. This is a fast, convenient option that:
- Takes under 15 minutes
- Requires no IV setup
- Fits easily into a lunch break or before/after a workout
- Provides effects that generally last a shorter duration than an IV drip (commonly a few days)
It’s a great “maintenance” option once you’ve established a baseline, or for clients who want consistent, lower-dose exposure without committing to a longer IV session.
NAD+ IV Drip
An NAD+ IV infusion delivers a much larger, concentrated dose directly into the bloodstream over the course of 30 minutes to a few hours, depending on dosage. Because the dose is significantly higher than an injection, IV infusions are generally considered the most effective way to meaningfully raise circulating NAD+ levels in a single session. Many providers structure treatment in two phases:
- Loading phase — several sessions delivered close together (often within 1–2 weeks) to build up NAD+ levels
- Maintenance phase — periodic sessions (commonly every 4–6 weeks) to sustain those levels
At LUX Wellness, our NAD+ IV Drip is available in different concentrations so Ashish can tailor your dose and session length to your goals, whether that’s a single “test drive” session or an ongoing plan.
Combining NAD+ with Glutathione and B12: IM Injection vs. IV Infusion
One of the most common questions we get is whether it’s better to combine NAD+ with other nutrients — specifically glutathione and B12 — as an injection stack or as part of a full IV infusion. Here’s how to think about it:
The Combo IM Injection Approach
Stacking a NAD+ injection + glutathione injection + B12/MIC injection as three quick shots is a popular option for clients who want the benefits of all three without the time commitment of an IV. This approach is well suited for:
- Busy professionals fitting wellness into a tight schedule
- Clients already comfortable with regular injections
- Ongoing maintenance between IV sessions
- Budget-conscious clients who want broad coverage at a lower price point
The tradeoff: injection doses are smaller than what you’d receive in an IV, so the intensity and duration of effects are generally milder.
The Full IV Infusion Approach
Combining NAD+, glutathione, and B-vitamins into a single IV bag allows for significantly higher total doses delivered directly into the bloodstream, along with the added benefit of hydration support from the IV fluid itself. This approach tends to appeal to:
- Clients seeking a more noticeable, longer-lasting effect
- Anyone doing an initial NAD+ loading phase
- Clients focused on detox, skin radiance, and energy simultaneously (this combination overlaps significantly with our Fountain of Youth IV Drip)
- Athletes or high-stress professionals wanting comprehensive recovery support in one sitting (see our NAD+ and amino acid IV therapy for athletic performance)
Which Should You Choose?
There’s no universal answer — it depends on your goals, schedule, and how your body responds. Many LUX Wellness clients start with a single NAD+ IV drip to see how they feel, then transition to a maintenance plan combining periodic IV sessions with injections in between. During your intake, Ashish will walk through your health history and goals to help build a plan that actually fits your lifestyle rather than a one-size-fits-all package.
What to Expect at Your Visit
- Book online or call/text to schedule — choose in-clinic in Sacramento or a mobile visit
- Health intake — a nurse or nurse practitioner reviews your history and current medications
- Treatment — relax during your IV drip (30–60+ minutes) or get in and out quickly with an injection (under 15 minutes)
- Follow-up — a check-in text after your session to see how you’re feeling
Every protocol at LUX Wellness is developed and overseen by our nurse practitioner–led medical team, so your NAD+ plan is appropriate for your individual health profile.
Curious which option is right for you?
Book your NAD+ IV Drip, injection, or combo session today, or call/text (657) 291-7107 and Ashish’s team will help you choose.
This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. NAD+ therapy is an evolving area of wellness medicine; individual results vary, and these statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. Consult with our clinical team to determine whether NAD+ therapy is appropriate for you.
Sources
- National Institute on Aging / NCBI research on NAD+ decline and cellular aging
- Peer-reviewed research on NAD+, mitochondrial function, and DNA repair pathways