Longevity & MitochondrialPlausible but unproven in humans

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (not a peptide)

NAD+, Dinucleotide coenzyme

A dinucleotide coenzyme (not a peptide) central to mitochondrial energy, DNA repair, and sirtuin signaling, which declines with age, the basis for the supplementation rationale.

Mitochondria Energy metabolism Longevity Insulin sensitivity

Shop this peptide

Coenzyme

Molecule class

Sirtuins / PARP

Key pathways

~50%

Age related decline

Mechanism of action

How NAD+ works

A coenzyme in every cell, central to energy production, DNA repair, and sirtuins. The catch: it's too large and charged to enter cells intact, so it must be broken into precursors first.

NAD+

Coenzyme

Electron transport

Mitochondria

Sirtuins + PARP

Repair and signaling

Declines w/ age

~50%

Also studied

Essential electron carrier in mitochondrial respiration; cellular NAD+ declines roughly 50% between young adulthood and middle age.

See related compounds

Required substrate for PARP DNA repair enzymes and the sirtuin longevity associated deacetylases.

See related compounds

NAD+ doesn't cross cell membranes intact; the stronger human data is for oral precursors (NR, NMN), not injectable NAD+.

See related compounds

Applications

Research applications

Oral precursors (NR/NMN)

Raise blood NAD+

Controlled human trial

Human PK trials

Injectable NAD+

Energy / wellness

Human pilot data

Tolerability only; no efficacy RCT

Sirtuin / DNA repair

Mechanistic basis

In vitro / cell model

Cell & animal

Bars indicate how far the evidence has progressed (in vitro to animal to human), not the size of any effect.

Compound data

Molecular profile

CAS number53-84-9

Molecular formulaC21H27N7O14P2

Molecular weight663.43 g/mol

TypeDinucleotide coenzyme (not a peptide)

AppearanceWhite hygroscopic powder

Literature

Key studies

Nature Communications2016

Nicotinamide riboside is uniquely and orally bioavailable in mice and humans

Trammell SAJ, et al.

Key finding

First human pharmacokinetic trial of the NAD+ precursor NR: single 100-1000 mg doses produced dose dependent rises in the blood NAD+ metabolome.

View study

Full profile

Evidence, safety & status

Claimed benefits & evidence

Marketed for energy, anti aging, cognitive clarity, and metabolic health. A 2026 PRISMA systematic review found no eligible trials evaluating IV/IM/SC NAD+ itself for anti aging/wellness outcomes. Better human data exists for oral precursors (NR, NMN). For NAD+ injection specifically there is essentially no controlled efficacy evidence.

Safety & dangers

IV NAD+ is generally well tolerated but infusion rate dependent (too fast causes flushing, chest tightness, nausea, why infusions run 2-4 hours). SC doses are far smaller than IV, raising the question of whether SC does anything meaningful. Sourcing/sterility is the dominant practical risk.

Contraindications

No well established absolute contraindications for short term use in healthy adults; caution in pregnancy (no data) and infusion reaction history.

Regulatory status

Sold as supplement / wellness clinic IV; injectable NAD+ is not an FDA approved drug. Oral NR (Niagen) has GRAS status. WADA: not prohibited (endogenous coenzyme).

Administration

IV (about 100% bioavailability, slow, clinic bound); SC (lower dose, weaker evidence); oral precursors (best human data, different molecule).

Source: Fnx Performance Peptide Research Database, a synthesis of the scientific and regulatory literature, not medical advice. Anyone considering these compounds should consult a qualified physician.

For research use only

For Research Use Only. Not for human or animal consumption. Products are sold strictly for in vitro laboratory research, not for compounding or therapeutic application.