What Is NAD Treatment?

Do you remember hearing that mitochondria is the powerhouse of the cell? That's because it synthesizes the energy you need to function, but it doesn't do it without help.

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD), a coenzyme found throughout your body, is responsible for taking just the right electrical charges and reconfiguring them to create ATP, better known as energy.¹

Along with boosting ATP levels, NAD also affects parts of the DNA responsible for aging and opioid receptors in the brain, and it can improve access to the neurotransmitters responsible for good mood and reduced anxiety, like serotonin.

NAD levels decline as you age or experience stressors like addiction and substance abuse. NAD treatment restores your levels of NAD and can subsequently improve a host of functions—even lowering withdrawal symptoms and cravings in recovery. It's become a better-known and more widely used tool in addiction recovery; here's why.

Introduction to NAD Treatment

Your body uses NAD for myriad processes and functions, including:

• Metabolism.
• Circadian rhythm.
• Lengthening telomeres, which slows aging.
• Making energy.
• Repairing damaged DNA.
• Making DNA more resistant to damage and decay.
• Boosting physical and mental wellness.
• Reducing substance withdrawal symptoms.

NAD treatment, typically administered through an IV as NAD IV therapy, restores NAD levels that have shrunk naturally or because of poor health. Since it’s a natural coenzyme found throughout your body, it’s readily accepted and processed.¹

The Science Behind NAD Treatment

NAD synthesizes energy in the mitochondria thanks to one tiny atom: hydrogen.¹ Hydrogen has one positive charge (proton) and one negative charge (electron) that NAD picks up to form NADH.

NADH continues to pick up charges from hydrogen as compounds like glucose undergo chemical changes. These changes kick off the energy (ATP)-making process, which releases more NADH.

In short, NAD takes charges from the hydrogen within various compounds (like glucose) and releases them into the mitochondria, which uses those charges to create ATP, or energy.

NAD affects other cells in different ways. Mainly, it strengthens DNA and enhances neurological and physical functions, including your cognitive abilities, memory, and overall brain function.¹

Biological Importance of NAD

NAD does more than just synthesize energy. It keeps several key functions running smoothly and can slow down, or even reverse, age-related diseases through its effects on DNA.²

NAD facilitates DNA repair and protects healthy strands from further damage. It boosts immunity, strengthens your metabolism, and helps clear brain fog. As an antioxidant, it also helps you resist pollutants from food, the environment, and substances.³

How NAD Therapy Works

Clinics can administer NAD in three ways: an IV infusion, an injection, or a nasal spray. The IV infusion typically takes the most time and is the most comprehensive, since the solution includes vitamins and amino acids to boost your wellness.

• IV Infusion: Nurses or physicians insert an IV tube to administer NAD and vitamins over the course of a few hours. The time for each infusion can vary by clinic and dose; expect two to five hours. During that time, you can work on a computer, read a book, or enjoy another hobby.
• Injection: Similar to getting a flu shot, a specialist will inject a syringe of pure NAD (no extra vitamins) into your bicep, thigh, or buttocks. You can leave once they're done; this option takes just minutes.
• Nasal Spray: A nasal NAD treatment involves short bursts of the NAD solution sprayed into each nostril. If you've ever used a nasal spray for allergies, it'll be just like that.

After an NAD treatment, many patients feel a boost in energy and mental clarity. Some only notice a change after a few sessions. If you're using NAD treatment for addiction, you may experience an immediate lessening of cravings and improved withdrawal symptoms. An addiction treatment center will likely schedule your NAD treatments close together to help you navigate withdrawal as comfortably as possible and reduce the risk of relapse.

Benefits of NAD Treatment

A hallmark of NAD treatment is that it doesn't rely on medication to get results. It uses a coenzyme your body creates naturally, not a man-made medication with its unavoidable list of side effects. In essence, it uses tools from your body's own toolbox to improve multiple functions at the cellular level.

Anti-Aging Effects

NAD offers anti-aging effects in two ways: it lengthens telomeres (caps on strands of DNA) and improves your cognitive and physical functions, reducing the likelihood of age-related diseases like cancer.²

Telomeres maintain the stability and health of your chromosomes by capping off strands of DNA and protecting them from damage.⁴ The longer the telomere, the more protected the DNA is and the more resistant to the decay of aging.

Addiction Recovery

NAD helps repair cells damaged by addiction and significantly reduces the effects of withdrawal.⁵ NAD also bonds to opioid receptors in the brain, which can ease withdrawal symptoms and cravings for drugs or alcohol by balancing brain chemistry.

NAD, an antioxidant, helps detoxify your body. This can speed up withdrawal and make the process more comfortable. NAD can also lower cravings long-term by repairing damaged cells in your brain's dopamine reward pathway and changing your genetic expression through epigenetics (a new way your genetic code is read).⁵

Chronic Health Conditions

NAD treatment improves your metabolism and immune system, which can alleviate symptoms of chronic conditions like fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and neurodegenerative diseases. Since it makes repairs to damaged DNA, it can change genetic expression and reverse or improve chronic conditions and their symptoms.⁶

What to Expect During NAD Treatment

Before your session, the clinic will set up an initial assessment to determine your eligibility and understand any current health concerns. Even if you're getting NAD treatment at an addiction treatment center, staff will likely still ask a few clarifying questions about your health and your goals for treatment.

NAD treatment consists of little more than resting and relaxing while the infusion happens. To prepare for your session, drink water and eat a healthy meal to give the NAD a better environment to work with. Avoid alcohol or caffeine, too.

At your first appointment, the practitioners will explain a bit more about what to expect, and then you're ready to go. Depending on how they administer the NAD, you'll receive either an injection, a nasal spray, or an infusion. Infusions are more common and comprehensive. They'll insert a needle into the crook of your arm and connect you to a bag of the NAD solution. You're free to work, rest, enjoy a hobby, or call a friend during the infusion. Sessions can take anywhere from two to five hours and occur one to three times a week for eight to 10 weeks.

Wear comfortable clothes and shoes. The clinic will likely have guidelines on what you can bring to sessions, like snacks, drinks, and entertainment. Check with them ahead of time to make the most of your session. Some clinics also bring the treatment to you, so you can stay home during the infusion.

After The Session

Once the transfusion is complete, the presiding nurse or physician will remove the IV to disconnect you from the NAD bag. They’ll put a bandage over the insertion point (like they do when you get your blood drawn), see how you’re feeling, and send you on your way. You may also schedule the rest of your sessions then, which happen on a cadence suited to your needs. It could be once or twice a week or every other week, lasting 10 or more weeks.

Possible side effects from NAD treatment include pain and tenderness at the injection site, lightheadedness, and headache. The practitioners will ensure you feel okay after each session and do not experience possible side effects at home.

Clinical Evidence Supporting NAD Treatment

Various studies have shown that NAD treatment has life-improving effects and low safety risks.⁶ Any side effects experienced, like headaches or sleep disturbances, didn’t impact the overall health of participants. It was also found to reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings in addiction recovery.⁵

Scientists are still seeking to find the best delivery method for NAD, whether that’s transfusion, injection, a nasal spray, or even a pill.⁷ Studies can also improve on showing the efficacy of NAD treatment for mental illnesses like depression, rather than a causal link between NAD and symptom reduction.

Comparing NAD Treatment to Other Therapies

NAD treatment is one of many tools available to treat addiction, chronic health conditions, mental illnesses, and more, often used alongside behavioral therapy. It has its pros and cons, like other treatments.

Advantages Over Traditional Methods

NAD treatment generally has fewer side effects than traditional treatment methods, which typically involve medications to treat health conditions. Since it uses something your body makes itself, introducing more NAD is rarely an issue.

This easy introduction, lack of withdrawals, and natural tolerance can make NAD treatment an advantage over medications. It can be especially beneficial for those in addiction recovery, as NAD can have similar withdrawal-reduction benefits as opioid-based medications.⁵

Limitations and Considerations

NAD has its benefits and impressive capabilities, but it may only work for some. Practitioners can’t easily prove the NAD’s effects for each individual, nor can they guarantee it will relieve certain symptoms. The way your body processes the extra NAD will vary from person to person.

NAD treatment also takes time to see certain results, like anti-aging effects or improved cognitive function. It’s not always a quick fix, as medications or other interventions can be. It’s also not covered by insurance, as other medications may be.

Accessing NAD Treatment

Availability and Costs

As NAD treatment becomes a more mainstream treatment option, more and more clinics and providers aim to offer it. A quick Google search will tell you if an NAD clinic is nearby. You can even order a vial of the NAD solution and inject it yourself—with a prescription from your doctor and oversight.

Costs vary depending on the number of milligrams used in an NAD session. A shorter session will use less NAD solution and cost less. Longer sessions cost more. On average, a two-hour session will cost $350, and a five-hour session will cost $600 or more. The final cost can vary widely by clinic, solution add-ons, and more. For the total package of continued sessions, you can expect to spend anywhere from $5,000 to $15,000 or more.

Insurance and Coverage

Insurance doesn’t cover NAD treatment; they view it as a complementary treatment and may only cover small portions through various plan benefits. You can push for reimbursement by submitting a request to your insurance provider with your need for NAD treatment documented by a clinician.

Discover a Path to Healing

From intensive individual therapy programs to 24/7 structured support, the right solution is out there. Explore options for wellness-focused mental health treatment, trauma treatment centers, and more to find a safe space to heal. Find a mental health facility today and begin your journey toward stability and peace.