What Is NAD+ And Why Are All Of The Hot Celebs Talking About It Right Now?

If you've been keeping up with the Kardashians and their obsession with looking young, then you’re probably aware of the newest craze in the health/beauty world – NAD+. A supercharged molecule said to improve cellular function and make people look "freakishly and unusually young," NAD+ has not only been endorsed by our favorite celebrities as of late but also gained attention in the scientific community.

David Sinclair, a Harvard Medical School professor and author of one of the most relevant books in the anti-aging field, Lifespan: Why We Age – and Why We Don’t Have To, has also been a vocal advocate for NAD+ supplementation (typically through an IV), claiming that he himself has been supplementing with the so-called miracle molecule for nearly a decade and attributes his youthful appearance and high energy levels to this practice.

So, with all the rage around it, let’s explore whether this molecule can indeed be the "closest we've gotten to a fountain of youth," as some claim, or if it’s just another buzzy trend no one will even remember in a few months.

What Exactly Is NAD+?

NAD+ (short for Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide) is a coenzyme naturally found in every single cell of your body where it's involved in some major bodily functions, like energy production and cellular repair.

Now, to keep things less confusing, let's focus on one of these functions – cellular repair, which is essential for keeping us feeling and looking young. When this function is "active," cells accept high-energy electrons and use them to repair DNA damage and other cellular structures. This will, in turn, lead to improved cellular function, and when cellular function is improved, our skin cells will repair from damage caused by inflammatory foods, pollution, UV radiation, and other skin-damaging factors faster than usual, leaving us with a healthier and more youthful-looking complexion.

So, if NAD+ is naturally available and so important for cellular repair, why do so many people supplement with pricey IV drips? The answer is simple – as we age, our body's NAD+ concentrations decrease, slowing our cells down and forcing them to prioritize other, more important functions, like energy production, to help us deal with symptoms such as fatigue and a slower metabolism, over repair. This decreased ability to repair the damage will lead to its accumulation, which is why, over time, we start noticing fine lines, wrinkles, dark spots, patches, etc., on our skin.

So, in theory, if we can increase our NAD+ levels, we can improve the process of cellular repair and slow down skin aging. Sounds like a miracle, right?

Are There Any Side Effects to NAD+?

In the much-talked-about Keeping Up with the Kardashians episode, Kendall Jenner and Hailey Bieber undergo NAD+ IV therapy. During the session, Hailey asks the nurse administering her drip whether supplementing with this molecule has any side effects or if it's something that can be done daily.

Now, over-supplementing with anything can almost always lead to symptoms of "too much of a good thing is a bad thing," which are rarely pleasant, and NAD+, just like everything else, needs to be taken in moderation. Fortunately, the side effects of NAD+ supplementation are minor and rare. Some people may experience an upset stomach, nausea, or headache if they take large doses at once, but these side effects can be easily avoided by gradually increasing your dosage and following a doctor's recommendations.

However, in response to Hailey's very valid question, the nurse present in the episode explained that NAD+ replenishment should not be done every day because, at some point, the receptors that absorb it will become saturated, and the body will simply excrete the excess of the active component. This means that supplementing with NAD+ daily would not provide any additional benefits and would likely only result in a rather pricey pee.

Therefore, NAD+ supplementation should be done periodically, depending on your age and individual needs, to ensure maximum effectiveness, avoid side effects, and prevent waste of money.

What If I Don't Want to Spend a Fortune on IV Drips?

Now, at the very least, we can all assume that a multi-millionaire celebrity's habits will likely come with a higher price tag than the average person's. NAD+ IV drips might be the most popular form of supplementation, but they can set you back anywhere between $300 and $1,000 per session, which doesn't necessarily make them the most accessible or affordable anti-aging treatment.

The benefit of the IV method is that it’s the most effective way of getting NAD+ into your system. This is because an intravenous administration of the molecule allows for a 100% absorption rate, which means you will get the full benefits of NAD+ without any waste.

But if IV therapy is financially out of reach, luckily, there are other ways in which you can get in on the anti-aging trend. While the next best thing would obviously be supplements, unfortunately, you can't just take NAD+ orally and expect the same results. The reason for this is NAD+ is a pretty large molecule that doesn’t get absorbed well through the digestive system; therefore, when you take it in pill form, your stomach acids and enzymes break it down before it can enter your bloodstream, which means you're not getting the full benefits of the supplement, or even any benefits for that matter, because it's going in the wrong place.

Instead, you should look into something called NMN (short for Nicotinamide Mononucleotide). NMN is a precursor to NAD+ that can be taken orally and is absorbed by your body. According to Dr. Daniel Barrett, a plastic surgeon and anti-aging specialist, NMN supplementation is the second-best alternative to NAD+ IV drips. Once ingested, NMN will be absorbed into the bloodstream, where it then converts into NAD+ and has been shown to boost its levels in the body, improving cellular repair and slowing down the aging process.

Similarly, David Sinclair, a leading expert in the field of anti-aging and NAD+ and NMN research, famously calls the two ingredients "the molecules of life." He agrees that NMN, due to its small size, can be an effective alternative to NAD+ IV drips, with the added benefit of being more accessible for the average person who just wants to improve their skin and overall health without having to shed thousands of dollars on uncomfortable IV treatments.

The NAD+ IV Treatment

NAD+ IV therapy is becoming available at a growing number of wellness centers and med spas across the country, especially in cities like Los Angeles and New York, where celebrity culture tends to have a strong influence on beauty trends. Some clinics even offer mobile IV services that come to you so you can get the celeb treatment from the comfort of your home.

The IV drip treatment takes anywhere from 1 to 2 hours, with some clinics even offering "express" drips that take as little as 45 minutes, which makes them perfect for anyone with a busy schedule.

Another fantastic factor about this unique form of anti-aging therapy is that there's almost no downtime, and you can usually go about your day right after the infusion. In fact, due to its potent energizing effect, some people may even feel a burst of energy immediately after.

However, those who are taking medications such as blood thinners may experience bruising at the site of injection, so it's always best to inform your doctor of any preexisting conditions or medications before undergoing NAD+ therapy.

But is it worth it? If you’re looking for a noticeable boost in energy, skin health, and mental clarity, NAD+ might be a great addition to your wellness routine. Now, like any treatment, it's not a miracle cure, and individual results, often closely connected to diet, lifestyle, and activity, might vary from person to person, but the benefits could be worth the splurge, especially if you’re looking for a non-invasive anti-aging treatment and can afford the investment.