NAD+: Mechanism, Dosage, Stacks & Research

What is NAD+?

NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) is technically a coenzyme rather than a peptide, but is widely grouped with the longevity protocols studied in peptide research communities. Injectable NAD+ and its precursors (NR, NMN) have been studied for sirtuin activation, mitochondrial function, and age-related metabolic decline.

Mechanism of action

NAD+ is a substrate for sirtuins (SIRT1–7), PARP enzymes (DNA repair), and CD38 (NAD+ degradation). Cellular NAD+ levels decline with age, and restoration has been associated with improved mitochondrial function, DNA repair, and inflammatory markers.

Researched benefits

Improved mitochondrial function in aged tissues
Sirtuin pathway activation
DNA repair and genomic stability support
Improved cognitive and metabolic markers in pilot work

Researched dosage

Most research protocols use 50000–250000 mcg administered 1× per day via subcutaneous injection. Subcutaneous research protocols commonly use 50–250 mg daily. Higher IV doses (250–750 mg) are studied in clinic settings under supervision.

A typical cycle runs 4 weeks on, then 2 weeks off before reassessment.

Use the calculator below to convert your target NAD+ dose into exact insulin-syringe units.

Reconstitution & storage

A standard 500 mg vial reconstituted with 5 mL of bacteriostatic water yields 100000 mcg/mL. Lyophilized stable at 2–8°C. Refrigerate post-reconstitution and protect from light.

Side effects & considerations

Flushing, nausea, chest tightness during fast administration
Headache
Injection-site irritation with subcutaneous use

NAD+ stacks

Cellular Longevity — paired with Epitalon. Layered mitochondrial and telomere research. Investigators sometimes pair NAD+ restoration with Epitalon for mitochondrial-plus-telomere longevity modeling.

Selected research

NAD+ in aging, metabolism, and neurodegeneration — Science, 2015
NAD+ precursor supplementation and human metabolism — Cell Metabolism, 2018

NAD+ dosage calculator

Compute reconstitution, exact units to draw, and vials per cycle — pre-loaded with NAD+ defaults.

Peptide

Vial size (mg)Bacteriostatic water (mL)Target dose (MCG)

Doses per dayCycle length (weeks)Insulin syringe

Common research range for NAD+: 50000–250000 mcg, 1× daily, subcutaneous. Cycle: 4 weeks on / 2 off.

Educational use only. This calculator performs unit math on the values you provide and is not a substitute for medical advice. Verify every calculation independently.

Result

Concentration

100000 mcg / mL

Per syringe unit

1000.00 mcg / unit

Draw to this mark

150.0 units (1.50 mL)

⚠ Exceeds 100 units — use less diluent or a larger syringe.

Dose, all units

150000 mcg · 150.000 mg

Doses per vial

3.3 doses

Days per vial

3.3 days

Vials needed for 4-week cycle

9 vials

Numbers are computed from your inputs. Verify all calculations independently. Educational use only.

NAD+ FAQ

Is NAD+ a peptide?+

No — NAD+ is a coenzyme, not a peptide. It is included in peptide research conversations because of overlapping longevity protocols and shared injection routes.

What's the difference between NAD+, NR, and NMN?+

NR (nicotinamide riboside) and NMN (nicotinamide mononucleotide) are oral precursors that the body converts into NAD+. Injectable NAD+ bypasses precursor conversion entirely.

How fast does NAD+ work?+

Cellular NAD+ levels can rise within hours of administration. Functional benefits (energy, cognition) reported in pilot work typically build over 1–4 weeks.

NAD+