Addiction doesn’t just affect your habits. It drains your energy, disrupts your focus, and even changes how your cells work. That’s why more people are trying NAD IV therapy, a natural and experimental treatment.
NAD stands for nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, a coenzyme that helps your cells make energy, repair damage, and support brain function.
Although the research is limited, some suggest that when your NAD+ levels are low, you can feel tired, unfocused, and stuck. Replenishing them with an IV infusion might help you feel clearer, stronger, and more like yourself again.
Note: The following is a list of potential ways that NAD IV Therapy can support recovery. However, it should be noted that the evidence and research on this experiential treatment are limited.
Addiction doesn’t just wear you out; it messes with your brain, mood, and even your cells’ ability to do their job. That’s why some people are turning to NAD IV therapy to help their bodies bounce back.
NAD is a coenzyme that boosts energy production, supports mental clarity, and helps your body heal on a cellular level. All of the things that are important during recovery.
NAD helps your cells make ATP, or adenosine triphosphate,1 which is the fuel your body runs on. If your body doesn’t have enough NAD+, you can feel tired and worn out. NAD IV therapy addresses this by boosting your NAD+ levels. This treatment may be able to help recharge your cells, support your brain function, and increase energy levels.
After an NAD IV infusion, many people feel motivated and less tired. It’s like giving your body and brain a jumpstart when running on empty. By refueling your NAD+ levels, this treatment may support cellular energy, clears up brain fog, and help you feel more focused and alive. That boost can make a big difference when you’re working through recovery.
When you are going through withdrawal or experiencing craving, your brain and body are trying to reset, and that takes a lot of energy and support. NAD IV therapy may help by calming the brain, balancing your mood, and easing those cravings. It gives your body what it needs to heal so you don’t feel like you’re fighting the process alone.
In early recovery, brain chemistry is negatively impacted. Having assistance balancing chemicals in the brain and enhancing NAD+ levels through an IV infusion, can help your body stay focused and steady. It’s like giving your brain a bit of backup when it needs it most.
It can be hard to think clearly or stay focused when recovering from addiction or in the early stages of the recovery process. That’s because your brain is still healing and trying to regain balance. NAD IV therapy can help by supporting your neurons2 and boosting cognitive function, which means clearer thinking and better concentration.
When your brain is working better, everything from focusing at work or in class to making decisions gets easier. That’s why NAD IV therapy can be such a game-changer during recovery. It helps your mind catch up with your body. Feeling sharp again can boost your confidence and keep you moving forward.
Addiction puts serious strain on your body and can mess with your cellular health, slowing down how your cells repair and protect themselves. This stress affects your mitochondria,3 lowers your NAD+ levels, and increases oxidative stress, which can make you feel run-down.
NAD IV therapy helps by boosting cellular energy, supporting DNA repair, and activating sirtuins: proteins that protect your cells.4 It’s like giving your body a fresh start at the cellular level so you can begin to heal and feel stronger every day.
Sirtuins help your cells stay healthy, especially when they’re under stress from addiction. With NAD IV therapy, you’re not only boosting energy, but you’re helping your body repair damage and fight oxidative stress.
Substance use can hasten the aging process, making you feel older than you are, both mentally and physically. It can lower your NAD+ levels, damage cells, and slow down how your body repairs itself. NAD IV therapy helps fight this by supporting anti-aging benefits5 like DNA repair, better cellular function, and less oxidative stress. It’s a way to help your body feel refreshed, restored, and more like its younger, healthier self.
Though the research is limited and more needs to be done to determine its clinical efficacy, NAD may be able to help your body fix itself on a cellular level by boosting DNA repair, improving cellular metabolism, and fighting oxidative stress.
NAD IV therapy may be able to boost your overall health6 by supporting energy production, brain function, and even your digestive system. Some believe that by raising your NAD+ levels, you’re helping your whole body work better, from your cells to your mood. For many, this experimental treatment provides a natural way to feel stronger, clearer, and more balanced every day.
Your body goes through a lot in recovery, and weight changes can happen as your energy metabolism and digestive system adjust. NAD IV therapy helps support your cellular function and balance your energy levels, which can make it easier to manage weight loss or gain in a healthy way (some studies show NAD+ decreases BMI).7 It gives your body the boost it needs to stay on track while you heal.
Your body needs energy from food to function, and NAD plays a big part in making that happen. It helps with cellular metabolism, which means it turns what you eat into fuel by breaking down enzymes, proteins, and acids. With the help of NAD IV therapy, your body gets better at using nutrients, keeping your energy up and your system running smoothly.
When you get an IV drip, your body absorbs hydration and important nutrients faster than if you took them by mouth. This helps boost your energy levels, support your immune system, and keep you feeling your best, especially during recovery. Add NAD+ infusion to the mix, and you have a powerful combo for healing and overall well-being.
Unlike pills or powders, NAD IV therapy goes straight into your bloodstream through an intravenous infusion, so your body can use it right away. That means faster support for things like energy production, mental clarity, and cellular health. When you’re in recovery and want to feel better quickly, this kind of therapy can really make a difference.
It is important to note that research on NAD IV therapy is limited, but it can be safe when administered by a medical professional, such as a nurse or doctor.
Some people might feel a little warm, lightheaded, or have a headache during or after the IV infusion; these may go away quickly. But it’s always recommended to consult with a healthcare provider about your treatment plan and make sure it’s the right fit for you.
NAD IV therapy may be able to give your body a natural boost when you’re going through recovery.
Ready to feel clearer, stronger, and more energized in recovery?
Explore treatment options that offer supportive therapies like NAD IV. Talk to a medical provider and find a treatment program that meets your needs and helps you move forward with confidence.
A: NAD IV therapy8 is used to boost your NAD+ levels, which helps with things like energy production, mental clarity, DNA repair, and overall cellular health. It may be helpful during addiction recovery, and people also use it for anti-aging, fighting chronic fatigue, and improving well-being.
A: Many people say yes, although the research is limited.9 NAD infusions can make you feel more energized, focused, and balanced by supporting your body at the cellular level. If you’re dealing with cravings, tiredness, or brain fog, anecdotal evidence suggests that it might be a great option to help you bounce back naturally. However, more robust studies are needed to show its efficacy.
A: When it’s done by a trained nurse practitioner or doctor, NAD IV therapy is considered safe, although more research is needed in this area. It uses ingredients already found in your body and has been studied for use in many medical conditions, including neurodegenerative disorders and age-related issues.
A: For many people, it helps increase energy levels, boost brain function, reduce oxidative stress, and even support weight management. It works with your body’s natural systems to help you feel better inside and out.
A: After an NAD IV drip, some people may notice better focus and less fatigue right away, while others feel the changes over a few days. Some people also report feeling more awake, motivated, and clear-headed.
A: Side effects are rare, but you might feel tired, flushed, or nauseous for a short time after your session. Drinking water before and after your IV drip can help ease those effects and support hydration.
A: Most sessions last between 60 to 90 minutes, depending on your treatment plan. The first one might take longer, and after that, the time may decrease.
A: It depends on your goals. Some people go weekly or a few times a month, especially during recovery or high-stress times. A medical professional can help create a schedule that fits your needs and overall health.
A: Prices vary, but a single NAD treatment can cost anywhere from $200 to $1,000, depending on where you live and what’s included. Some places offer packages or discounts, so it’s worth asking about accessibility and options if it is a treatment that you want to explore.
1. Treuting, P. M., & Dintzis, S. M. (2019). Cellular adaptation. In P. M. Treuting, S. M. Dintzis, & K. S. Montine (Eds.), Comparative anatomy and histology: A mouse and human atlas (2nd ed.). Academic Press. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK553175/
2. Lautrup, S., Sinclair, D. A., Mattson, M. P., & Fang, E. F. (2019). NAD+ in Brain Aging and Neurodegenerative Disorders. Cell metabolism, 30(4), 630–655. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cmet.2019.09.001
3. Picard, M., & McEwen, B. S. (2018). Psychological Stress and Mitochondria: A Systematic Review. Psychosomatic medicine, 80(2), 141–153. https://doi.org/10.1097/PSY.0000000000000545
4. Grabowska, W., Sikora, E., & Bielak-Zmijewska, A. (2017). Sirtuins, a promising target in slowing down the ageing process. Biogerontology, 18(4), 447–476. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10522-017-9685-9
5. Conlon N. J. (2022). The Role of NAD+ in Regenerative Medicine. Plastic and reconstructive surgery, 150(4 Suppl ), 41S–48S. https://doi.org/10.1097/PRS.0000000000009673
6. Radenkovic, D., Reason, & Verdin, E. (2020). Clinical Evidence for Targeting NAD Therapeutically. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland), 13(9), 247. https://doi.org/10.3390/ph13090247
7. You, B., Reis, M. G., Tavakoli, S., Khodadadi, N., Sohouli, M. H., & Guimarães, N. S. (2023). The effects of NAD⁺ precursor (nicotinic acid and nicotinamide) supplementation on weight loss and related hormones: A systematic review and meta-regression analysis of randomized controlled trials. Frontiers in Nutrition, 10, 1208734. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2023.1208734
8. Braidy, N., Villalva, M. D., & van Eeden, S. (2020). Sobriety and Satiety: Is NAD+ the Answer?. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland), 9(5), 425. https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox9050425
9. Blum, K., Han, D., Baron, D., Kazmi, S., Elman, I., Gomez, L. L., Gondre-Lewis, M. C., Thanos, P. K., Braverman, E. R., & Badgaiyan, R. D. (2022). Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NAD+) and Enkephalinase Inhibition (IV1114589NAD) Infusions Significantly Attenuate Psychiatric Burden Sequalae in Substance Use Disorder (SUD) in Fifty Cases. Current psychiatry research and reviews, 18(2), 125–143. https://doi.org/10.2174/2666082218666220527114427
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