What NAD+ is
NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) is a coenzyme found in every living cell. It helps carry electrons in the reactions that turn food into usable energy, and it is also used by enzymes involved in DNA repair and in the way cells respond to stress. Your body makes it from several building blocks, including forms of vitamin B3.
In animal and lab studies, NAD+ levels fall with age in some tissues, and raising them has improved some markers of ageing in mice and worms. That is the starting point of the whole trend. It is worth keeping in mind that most of this work was done in animals and cells, and what happens in a mouse does not always happen in a person.
Why it became a longevity trend
The idea is simple and appealing: if NAD+ declines with age, and topping it up helps old mice, perhaps topping it up helps people feel and age better. Popular books, podcasts and supplement companies picked this up quickly. IV clinics followed, because an infusion puts NAD+ straight into the blood instead of relying on the gut.
A good story is not the same as good evidence, though. The trend moved much faster than the clinical research.
What the human evidence shows
Most human research is on oral precursors, the building blocks the body turns into NAD+, mainly nicotinamide riboside (NR) and nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN). In summary:
- Small human studies show that oral NR and NMN can raise NAD+ levels in the blood.
- Clear clinical benefits in healthy people, such as more energy, better fitness or slower ageing, have not been established. Results on these outcomes are small, mixed or not yet replicated.
- IV NAD+ itself has very little controlled research. There are no large randomised trials showing that a NAD+ drip improves health in healthy adults.
- Higher NAD+ in the blood does not prove that more NAD+ reaches the tissues where it matters, or that it changes how you age.
So the honest summary is: the biology is promising, the blood levels can be changed, and the real-world benefit for a healthy person is still unproven.
What people report
Many people say they feel more energy, clearer thinking or better mood in the days after a NAD+ drip. Some feel nothing at all. These reports are real experiences, but they are anecdotes, not proof. A long, calm session with a nurse, extra fluids, rest and high expectations can all make people feel better on their own. Without controlled studies, it is hard to know how much is the NAD+.
What a session is actually like
NAD+ is not a quick drip. It has to run slowly, usually over 2–3 hours, sometimes longer. If it runs too fast, many people feel it quickly:
- tightness or pressure in the chest
- flushing or a warm feeling
- nausea or stomach discomfort
- muscle cramps or restlessness
These effects usually ease within minutes when the nurse slows the infusion, and that is exactly what the nurse does. Tell the nurse at once if you feel any of them. Plan for a quiet afternoon: lie down or sit comfortably, have water nearby, and do not schedule a meeting or a flight straight after.
Who should avoid it or ask first
NAD+ is not for everyone, and the long infusion time adds its own demands. Speak to a doctor before booking if any of these apply:
- pregnancy or breastfeeding: not recommended without your own doctor’s approval
- active cancer or cancer treatment: ask your oncologist first, because NAD+ is involved in cell growth and repair
- heart conditions, heart failure or kidney failure
- regular medicines, especially blood thinners, diuretics or heart and kidney medicines
- recent surgery: your clinic’s aftercare instructions come first
If you have chest pain, shortness of breath or fainting, this is not a case for a drip. Call 112.
How to decide, and how Derman handles it
Go in with realistic expectations. A NAD+ drip may leave you feeling well rested, but it is not a proven anti-ageing treatment, and one session will not change how you age. It is also not cheap: at Derman it starts from €520. If your interest is long-term, oral precursors such as NR or NMN are a lower-cost option to discuss with your own doctor. Sleep, exercise and a good diet still have far stronger evidence behind them.
If you do want a session, a doctor reviews your health questionnaire before anything is booked. The doctor sets the dose, usually between 250 and 500 mg, and the pace of the infusion. The doctor may suggest a lower dose, a different drip, or decline the request if it is not a good fit for you. During the visit the nurse watches your blood pressure and pulse, slows the drip if you feel discomfort, and the doctor stays reachable by phone the whole time.
