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NAD+ IV Therapy Ann Arbor

A few months ago, a patient came into our Ann Arbor clinic describing a feeling she couldn't quite name. She wasn't sick, exactly - her labs were normal, her physical exam unremarkable. But she felt as though her internal battery had slowly drained over the years. Mental sharpness had dulled. Physical stamina had diminished. Recovery from exercise took longer. She wanted to feel like herself again.

What she was describing is a pattern I see often in my practice, and it frequently points to something happening at the cellular level: a decline in NAD+, one of the most critical molecules for energy production and healthy aging.

What Is NAD+ and Why Does It Matter for Longevity?

NAD+, or nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, is a coenzyme found in every cell of your body. It plays an essential role in converting the food you eat into usable energy, supporting DNA repair, regulating circadian rhythms, and maintaining the health of your mitochondria - the powerhouses of your cells.

Research published in peer-reviewed journals including Cell Metabolism and Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology has shown that NAD+ levels naturally decline with age, often dropping substantially by the time we reach middle age. This decline is associated with many of the hallmarks of aging: reduced energy, slower metabolism, cognitive changes, and decreased cellular resilience.

How NAD+ Decline Drives Aging

Research has identified several interconnected pathways through which falling NAD+ levels accelerate the aging process.

Mitochondrial Dysfunction

Mitochondria are the energy factories of your cells, and they depend heavily on NAD+ to produce ATP (adenosine triphosphate), the molecule your body uses as fuel. When NAD+ levels drop, mitochondrial efficiency declines, leading to fatigue, reduced physical performance, and the cascading cellular damage that characterizes aging.

A 2026 study by Kojima, Yaku, et al. published in Aging Cell demonstrated that decreased NAD+ transport into mitochondria in adipose tissue led to systemic metabolic complications including obesity, glucose intolerance, and insulin resistance, while restoring NAD+ levels protected against these age-related conditions (DOI: 10.1111/acel.70509).

DNA Repair Impairment

Your DNA sustains thousands of damage events every day from normal metabolic processes, UV exposure, and environmental toxins. NAD+ is required to fuel PARP enzymes (poly ADP-ribose polymerases), which detect and repair DNA breaks. As NAD+ levels decline, DNA damage accumulates faster than it can be repaired, contributing to cellular dysfunction and senescence.

Sirtuin Deactivation

Sirtuins are a family of seven enzymes sometimes called "longevity genes" because of their role in regulating inflammation, stress response, and metabolic efficiency. All seven require NAD+ as a substrate. When NAD+ is depleted, sirtuin activity drops, weakening the body's ability to manage oxidative stress, control inflammation, and maintain healthy gene expression.

How Does NAD+ IV Therapy Work?

While NAD+ precursors can be taken orally - such as nicotinamide riboside (NR) or nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) - NAD+ IV therapy delivers the molecule directly into your bloodstream, bypassing the digestive system entirely. This allows for higher bioavailability and more immediate cellular uptake.

During an NAD+ infusion, the coenzyme is absorbed rapidly by cells throughout the body, where it supports mitochondrial function, activates the sirtuin and PARP enzymes involved in DNA repair, and helps regulate metabolic processes that influence how we age.

Most patients report feeling the effects within hours to days: improved mental clarity, better focus, more sustained energy, and in some cases enhanced mood and sleep quality. The treatment is not a stimulant - it works by restoring the biochemical processes your cells need to function optimally.

NAD+ Delivery Methods: IV, Subcutaneous and Oral

At Arbour Longevity we offer multiple delivery methods, each with distinct advantages.

Intravenous (IV) NAD+ Therapy

IV administration delivers NAD+ directly into the bloodstream, achieving rapid and complete bioavailability. This is the most intensive form and is often chosen by patients seeking maximum cellular replenishment in the shortest time, acute cognitive clarity, or recovery from chronic fatigue and post-viral conditions.

A typical session takes 2 to 4 hours, during which the dose is infused slowly to minimize side effects. We offer 250mg ($395), 500mg ($550) and 1000mg ($995).

Subcutaneous NAD+ Injections

For patients who prefer a more convenient maintenance approach, subcutaneous injections offer a practical alternative. These can be self-administered at home after initial instruction, and suit ongoing maintenance between IV sessions or patients whose schedules cannot accommodate lengthy infusions.

Oral NAD+ Precursors (NMN and NR)

Oral supplements containing NAD+ precursors are the most accessible form of support. Research confirms they do raise NAD+ levels, though the magnitude is lower than direct administration. They work well as a complement to IV or subcutaneous therapy rather than a replacement. We cover the differences in detail in our guide to NMN vs NR and which precursor actually reaches your cells.

What the Evidence Actually Shows

Honesty matters here, because this field is full of overstated claims. Here is the fair read.

The strongest evidence is for oral boosters: NR and NMN reliably raise blood NAD+ levels in people. There is moderate evidence in specific groups, such as improved insulin sensitivity in some women with prediabetes and better walking distance in peripheral artery disease. For IV NAD+ specifically, large randomized trials are still sparse. What we have is a sound mechanism, good precursor data, decades of clinical use, and consistent patient reports of better energy, focus and recovery, especially after a short series.

That is the honest picture: promising and biologically reasonable, not yet proven by large trials. Any clinic telling you otherwise is selling rather than practicing.

What Conditions Can NAD+ IV Therapy Support?

NAD+ is not a cure for any disease. It can, however, support a range of health goals.

Cellular Energy and Mitochondrial Support

When NAD+ levels drop, mitochondrial function slows. You feel it as persistent fatigue and a body that does not recover the way it used to. Patients frequently report a noticeable improvement in sustained daily energy - not the jittery spike of stimulants, but a steadier vitality. This is particularly relevant for chronic fatigue that does not resolve with rest, post-illness energy depletion, age-related metabolic slowdown, and athletes seeking faster recovery.

Brain Performance and Mental Clarity

NAD+ is involved in neuroprotection and neurotransmitter regulation. It supports neuronal health, helps manage neuroinflammation, and plays a role in how efficiently your brain produces and uses its signaling molecules. Many patients describe brain fog lifting and processing speed improving. For anyone whose work depends on mental performance, this is often the benefit that matters most.

Cellular Repair and DNA Health

By restoring NAD+ levels, IV therapy supports PARP enzyme activation for DNA strand repair, sirtuin activation regulating age-related gene expression, reduced cellular senescence, and mitochondrial biogenesis - the creation of new, healthier mitochondria.

Burnout Recovery and Nervous System Reset

Modern burnout is not purely psychological exhaustion; it is a physiological state. Chronic stress depletes NAD+ reserves, impairs mitochondrial function, and dysregulates the nervous system in measurable ways. NAD+ IV has become a common protocol for people recovering from professional burnout and prolonged high-stress periods, nervous system dysregulation from chronic anxiety or overwork, and post-illness fatigue.

Metabolic Health

NAD+ plays a role in glucose and lipid metabolism, which can support weight management and insulin sensitivity - frequently alongside hormone optimization or medical weight loss where labs indicate those are contributing.

Is NAD+ IV Therapy Safe?

NAD+ is a naturally occurring molecule in your body, and IV administration is generally well tolerated when performed in a clinical setting by trained professionals. Most patients experience minimal side effects, though some report mild flushing, nausea, or cramping during the infusion - symptoms that typically resolve by slowing the infusion rate.

We monitor every patient throughout and tailor infusion speed and dose to individual tolerance.

Who Should Not Get NAD+ IV Therapy

NAD+ IV is not right for everyone, which is why we screen first. People who should not receive it without specialist clearance include those who are pregnant or breastfeeding, in active cancer treatment, or who have severe heart, kidney or liver disease, uncontrolled high blood pressure, or a known sensitivity to nicotinamide.

This is not a complete list. We decide together at your consultation based on your full history.

How Is NAD+ IV Therapy Administered at Arbour Longevity?

At our Ann Arbor clinic, infusions take place in a comfortable, private setting and typically run two to four hours depending on dose and tolerance. Many patients use the time to relax, read, or work remotely.

We often recommend a loading series initially - two to four infusions over a few weeks - followed by maintenance every four to eight weeks depending on your response and goals. For patients on a consistent protocol, IV therapy memberships start at $199 per month on the Silver tier, which includes a monthly Myers' Cocktail or glutathione IV. Many patients combine NAD+ with peptide therapy, hormone optimization, or other IV nutrient protocols.

Because NAD+ works at the cellular level, benefits tend to build over time. This is a foundational intervention rather than a quick fix.

What Should You Expect During and After Treatment?

During the infusion you will be seated comfortably with IV access established in your arm. We start the drip slowly and adjust based on how you feel. Some patients notice a warming sensation or mild abdominal tightness, which we manage by slowing the rate.

Afterwards, most patients feel clear-headed and energized within a few hours. Some notice improved sleep that night. Others report cumulative effects - more energy, better focus, improved mood - over the following days and weeks.

Staying hydrated, eating well and sleeping adequately all help you get more from the treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions About NAD+ IV Therapy

How often should I get NAD+ IV therapy?

Most patients begin with a loading phase of two to four infusions spaced about a week apart, followed by maintenance every four to eight weeks. Frequency depends on your goals, baseline health, and how you respond. We build a personalized plan at your consultation.

How long does the energy effect last?

After a single infusion many patients notice a lift lasting several days to a couple of weeks. After a short loading series the effect tends to be more durable, which is why we usually recommend starting with a series rather than a one-off.

Can I take NAD+ supplements instead of getting IV therapy?

Oral precursors like NR and NMN are helpful and often part of a longevity supplement regimen. IV delivers NAD+ directly into the bloodstream at concentrations oral supplementation cannot match, which many patients find more effective for acute fatigue or brain fog. Frequently the right answer is both.

Will NAD+ IV help me lose weight?

Not on its own. NAD+ supports glucose and lipid metabolism and can help with the energy and motivation that make lifestyle change sustainable, but it is not a weight loss treatment. If weight is your primary goal, a metabolic and hormone workup is the more honest starting point.

Can I combine NAD+ with hormone therapy or peptides?

Yes, and many patients do. NAD+ addresses cellular energy production while hormone optimization and peptide protocols work on different pathways. Because all three are managed by the same clinician here, they are coordinated rather than stacked blindly.

Can NAD+ therapy help with addiction recovery?

NAD+ has been studied in the context of substance use recovery due to its role in cellular repair and neurotransmitter regulation, and some programs use it as an adjunct. It is not a standalone treatment for addiction and should sit within a broader clinical program.

Do I need labs before my first NAD+ IV?

We review your health history at consultation and order labs where your history or symptoms warrant it. If persistent fatigue is your main complaint, we would generally want to rule out thyroid dysfunction, anemia, low testosterone and sleep apnea before assuming NAD+ is the answer.

Is NAD+ IV therapy covered by insurance?

NAD+ IV therapy is an elective wellness treatment and is not typically covered. We are transparent about pricing up front, and HSA and FSA cards are accepted.

Take the Next Step Toward Cellular Health in Ann Arbor

If you are ready to address fatigue, brain fog, or the effects of aging at the cellular level, NAD+ IV therapy may be a useful tool. At Arbour Longevity we combine regenerative therapies with personalized medical care, delivered by Gandhi Bhattarai, FNP-BC, PMHNP-BC, a triple board certified nurse practitioner.

Your first visit is $35, and that fee is applied toward any treatment you choose. Call or text (734) 436-3357. We are at 2217 Packard St #15, Ann Arbor, MI 48104, open Thursday through Monday 10am-7pm, and we serve Ypsilanti, Saline, Dexter, Chelsea and the wider Washtenaw County area.

Book your $35 consultation

References

  1. Kojima, Yaku, et al. Decreased mitochondrial NAD+ transport in adipose tissue drives systemic metabolic complications. Aging Cell, 2026. DOI: 10.1111/acel.70509
  2. Covarrubias AJ, et al. NAD+ metabolism and its roles in cellular processes during ageing. Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology, 2021.
  3. Rajman L, Chwalek K, Sinclair DA. Therapeutic potential of NAD-boosting molecules: the in vivo evidence. Cell Metabolism, 2018.

This content is for educational purposes and does not constitute medical advice. NAD+ IV therapy requires clinical evaluation and is not appropriate for everyone. Individual results vary. Arbour Longevity, 2217 Packard St #15, Ann Arbor MI 48104, (734) 436-3357.

Gandhi Bhattarai, FNP-BC, PMHNP-BC

Gandhi Bhattarai, FNP-BC, PMHNP-BC, Anti-Aging/Functional Medicine BC

Triple board-certified nurse practitioner and founder of Arbour Longevity in Ann Arbor. Every article is written from clinic practice and reviewed against current guidelines.

✓ Medically reviewed · Last updated August 16, 2026

How we reviewed this article

Arbour Longevity articles are written by the treating clinician, checked against primary sources (peer-reviewed journals, FDA labeling, Endocrine Society and other specialty guidelines) and re-reviewed when guidance changes. See our editorial policy. Spotted an error? Email info@arbourlongevity.com.

This article is educational and is not a substitute for individualized medical advice. Whether a treatment is appropriate for you is determined during consultation.

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