NAD+

Overview

What it is, in plain language

NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) is a foundational coenzyme present in every cell. It powers redox reactions, sirtuin activity, DNA repair, and the entire energy-production machinery of the mitochondria. Cellular NAD+ levels decline significantly with age — by some estimates, 50% reduction by mid-life — and restoring NAD+ pools has become one of the most-studied levers in longevity research.

Unlike the peptides in the AEON line, NAD+ is a coenzyme, not a signalling molecule. It functions as a substrate, and dosing is measured in hundreds of milligrams rather than micrograms or single-digit milligrams.

Cellular NAD+ levels decline ~50% by mid-life. Direct injectable NAD+ produces more dramatic acute elevation than oral precursors — at the cost of shorter duration.

Mechanism

How it works

Functions as an electron carrier in cellular metabolism, a substrate for sirtuins (longevity-associated deacetylases), and a substrate for PARPs (DNA-repair enzymes). Exogenous NAD+ raises systemic and cellular NAD+ pools, with downstream effects on mitochondrial function, energy production, and DNA-repair capacity.

Research findings

What the literature shows

Animal studies and emerging human studies report improvements in mitochondrial function, exercise capacity, and biomarkers of cellular aging with NAD+ or NAD+ precursor supplementation.

Direct injectable NAD+ produces more dramatic acute elevations than oral precursors (NR, NMN) but with shorter duration. Subjective effects on energy and recovery are commonly reported during loading protocols.

Cycle & Handling

Protocol reference

Common research-grade reference figures. Not medical advice — every protocol must be reviewed against the latest published literature and your study design.

Cycle guidance

The typical pattern is a 7–14 day loading protocol (100–500 mg/day) followed by ongoing maintenance (2–3× weekly) — not a traditional on/off cycle. Annual ceiling: 2–4 loading protocols per year, with continuous low-dose maintenance between. Pairs naturally with MOTS-c (mitochondrial parallel) and L-Carnitine (energy parallel). No overlap with regenerative or GH-stack peptides.

Reconstitution

5 mL BAC for the 500 mg vial → 100 mg/mL. Draw 0.5 mL = 50 mg; 1.0 mL = 100 mg; 2.0 mL = 200 mg. Higher reconstitution volume reduces injection-site discomfort, which is more common with NAD+ than with peptides.

Storage

Lyophilised vial: room temperature short-term, refrigerator long-term. Reconstituted: refrigerate; use within 28 days when reconstituted with bacteriostatic water. Protect from light.

FAQ