NAD+ vs Niagen (NR)
In the world of cellular health and longevity, NAD+ is the molecule everyone’s talking about. Whether you're an entrepreneur burning the candle at both ends, a parent juggling too many hats, or simply someone wanting to age gracefully with energy and clarity—supporting your body’s NAD+ levels is key.
There are two intravenous ways to increase NAD+ levels in the body: NAD+ IV infusions & NR or Nicotinamide Riboside IV infusions. Because the NAD+ molecule is large, it must be broken down into NAD+ precursors before it can enter the cell and boost NAD+. There are five different NAD+ precursors: Nicotinamide Riboside (NR), Nicotinamide Mononucleotide (NMN), Nicotinic Acid (NA), Nicotinamide (Nam), and Tryptophan (Trp). NR and NMN are the most efficient of the precursors with Niagen® (a patented form of Nicotinamide Riboside (NR) as a unique form of vitamin B3).
Compared to the NAD+ molecule, Niagen NR can pass through cell membranes directly, making it the more efficacious way to boost NAD+ levels because fewer steps are required for conversion to NAD+. This means NAD+ levels peak sooner and test higher 3 hours post-infusion with a 20% increase in NAD+ within 24 hours of infusion.
But how you replenish NAD+ matters. Two of the most talked-about therapies in this space are NAD+ IV Therapy and Niagen (NR) IV Therapy. While both ultimately aim to elevate your NAD+ levels, the route they take and the experience you’ll have are quite different. Let’s break it down.
First, What Is NAD+?
NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) is a coenzyme found in every cell of your body. It plays a crucial role in mitochondrial energy production, DNA repair, and cellular signaling. Without it, your cells can’t function properly.
NAD+ levels decline with age, stress, chronic illness, and lifestyle choices—contributing to fatigue, brain fog, and accelerated aging (Yoshino et al., 2018; Covarrubias et al., 2021).
📚 Sources:
Yoshino, J., Baur, J. A., & Imai, S.-I. (2018). NAD+ Intermediates: The Biology and Therapeutic Potential of NMN and NR. Cell Metabolism, 27(3), 513–528. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cmet.2017.11.002
Covarrubias, A. J., Perrone, R., Grozio, A., & Verdin, E. (2021). NAD+ metabolism and its roles in cellular processes during ageing. Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology, 22(2), 119–141. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41580-020-00313-x
NAD+ IV Therapy: Direct Cellular Fuel
What It Is:
NAD+ IV therapy delivers bioavailable NAD+ directly into your bloodstream, bypassing digestion for rapid cellular uptake. This means your cells can immediately use it for energy production, DNA repair, and regulating inflammation.
Key Benefits:
Supports mitochondrial energy and ATP production
Improves cognitive function and mood (Grant et al., 2019)
Aids in addiction recovery and mental clarity (Everhart et al., 2021)
May slow age-related metabolic decline
Promotes cellular energy production in the mitochondria
Helps protect the DNA in every cell from damage
Supports healthy cellular repair and metabolism
Helps your body and brain fight the effects of chronological aging
Improves sleep quality, enhances mood, and overall longevity
Experience:
Infusions usually take 2–4 hours due to potential side effects/discomfort like flushing, tightness or GI discomfort. Clients often describe a post-treatment “clean energy” and improved mental sharpness.
📚 Sources:
Grant, R., Berg, J., Mestayer, R., Braidy, N., Bennett, C., & Guillemin, G. J. (2019). A pilot study on the effects of high-dose NAD+ in chronic fatigue syndrome. Journal of Translational Medicine, 17, 373. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12967-019-2110-0
Everhart, K. D., et al. (2021). The use of NAD+ in the treatment of substance use disorders: A retrospective chart review. Journal of Addiction Research & Therapy. https://doi.org/10.4172/2155-6105.S11-002
Niagen® (NR) IV Therapy: Gentle, Sustained Support
What It Is:
Niagen is the patented form of nicotinamide riboside (NR), a vitamin B3 derivative that’s converted into NAD+ through natural enzymatic pathways in your body. NR is well-studied for its safety and efficacy in raising NAD+ levels.
Key Benefits:
Increases NAD+ in a dose-dependent manner (Trammell et al., 2016)
Enhances mitochondrial function and metabolic flexibility
Supports healthy aging and reduces oxidative stress markers
Shorter and more tolerable infusions
75% faster infusion time than NAD+ IV therapy
Minimal side effects/discomfort that are common with NAD+ IV therapy
Experience:
Usually infused over 30–45 minutes. Clients don’t experience the same intensity as NAD+ infusions, making it ideal for regular maintenance or for first-timers.
📚 Sources:
Trammell, S. A. J., Schmidt, M. S., Weidemann, B. J., Redpath, P., Jaksch, F., Dellinger, R. W., … Brenner, C. (2016). Nicotinamide riboside is uniquely and orally bioavailable in mice and humans. Nature Communications, 7, 12948. https://doi.org/10.1038/ncomms12948
Martens, C. R., Denman, B. A., Mazzo, M. R., Armstrong, M. L., Reisdorph, N., McQueen, M. B., … Seals, D. R. (2018). Chronic nicotinamide riboside supplementation is well-tolerated and elevates NAD+ in healthy middle-aged and older adults. Nature Communications, 9, 1286. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-018-03421-7
Which One Is Right for You?
Therapy Type Timeline Ideal For Intensity NAD+ IV Direct NAD+ Immediate effect Burnout, cognitive boost, detox Higher Niagen (NR) IV NAD+ precursor Gradual, sustained support Preventive wellness, aging support Lower
Can You Combine Them?
Yes! Many clients use NAD+ IVs for deep cellular restoration (think: quarterly or post-burnout), while rotating in NR IVs as monthly maintenance. It’s a smart, sustainable way to keep NAD+ levels consistently elevated.
Final Thoughts
Whether you want a brain reboot, more sustainable energy, or tools to support healthy aging—NAD+ and NR IV therapies offer two unique pathways to the same goal: optimized cellular health.
At The Wellness Lounge, we offer both options and help you customize based on your needs, stress load, and overall health goals.