What Is an NAD+ Injection? How Can It Support Your Health

If you’re looking for ways to feel your best as you age—or potentially even increase your lifespan—you’ve probably heard of NAD+. The buzzy coenzyme may slow the progression of age-related diseases, extend lifespan, and more. 

You can swallow NAD+ oral supplements and get NAD+ IV therapy at clinics, but the most effective way to boost your levels is with NAD injections, which you can buy online and administer in the comfort and privacy of your own home. And it’s perfectly safe.

Interested in getting NAD+ injections at home? Here’s everything you need to know.

About the Expert:

Candice Knight, M.D. is a board-certified Family Medicine and Integrative Medicine physician with additional certifications in Functional Medicine and Quantum Biology.

What Are NAD+ Injections

NAD+ injections are a form of longevity therapy that supplement the body’s production of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+). NAD+ therapy may prevent certain diseases related to aging and extend lifespan.

“NAD+ doesn’t just boost energy—it enhances mitochondrial function, repair, and longevity by ensuring that electrons are efficiently transported into cells to make energy,” says Candice Knight, M.D., a board-certified Family Medicine and Integrative Medicine physician.

Online interest in NAD+ has surged by nearly 400 percent in the past five years, fueling the supplement’s journey from niche biohacker buzzword to mainstream must-have.¹ This surge reflects a real-world shift toward longevity-minded, proactive health optimization. 

NAD+ may have popped up on your radar only recently, but researchers discovered it way back in 1906. Over the last few decades, scientists have been studying its potential to slow down or reverse age-related health issues, improve energy and focus, speed up metabolism, boost cardiovascular health, and more.

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Benefits of NAD+ Injections

Studies suggest a smorgasbord of potential NAD+ benefits, especially as levels naturally decline with age.² Increasing NAD+ levels may have a variety of anti-aging benefits, including:

• More energy³
• Increased lifespan⁴
• Improved brain function
• Delaying neurological diseases like Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and ALS^{5 6}
• Boosting immunity⁷
• Protection for your liver and kidneys⁸
• Improved blood vessel function⁹
• Reduced inflammation¹⁰
• Improved athletic performance

Types of NAD+

While NAD+ is typically administered as an injection or as IV, there are some alternative delivery methods as well. 

• NAD+ injections: Given as a quick subcutaneous shot, NAD+ injections are absorbed directly into the bloodstream, allowing them to take effect quickly.¹¹ Injections offer a more flexible, time-efficient alternative to infusions and can be administered from the comfort of home. 
• NAD IV therapy: Infusions deliver NAD+ directly into the bloodstream for rapid availability, typically over several hours in a clinical setting. One pilot study found that a continuous infusion of NAD+ resulted in a 398 percent increase in plasma NAD+ levels after six hours, and NAD+ levels may continue to rise 7–14 days post-infusion.^{12 13}
• NAD+ supplements: Oral precursors to NAD+ like nicotinamide or nicotinamide riboside (NR) are commonly used to boost NAD+ levels. However, these oral supplements may be poorly absorbed and unstable in the gut, limiting how much actually reaches your cells.¹⁴
• Topical NAD+: Skincare products containing NAD+ have hit the market, but research is still in early stages. An in vitro study found that NAD+ may help protect against both UV-related and age-related skin damage; however, its effectiveness in humans has yet to be tested. Furthermore, the study was funded by a skincare brand, so additional research is needed.¹⁵

How Much Do NAD Injections Cost?

NAD+ injections cost $165 to $425 per month, depending on the provider. The cost of an NAD+ vial for at-home injections should cover multiple doses over several weeks. NAD+ injections typically aren’t covered by insurance because they are considered an elective form of treatment.

NAD+ injections through Hone are just $165 per month. 

You’ll also pay a monthly membership fee, which varies depending on whether or not you are receiving testosterone therapy. If you only take NAD+, your monthly membership fee is $25. If you’re on TRT as well and require periodic lab testing, the monthly membership fee is $129.

Are NAD+ Injections Effective?

Early research suggests that by restoring NAD+ to more youthful levels, NAD+ injections may help slow cellular aging, improve cardiovascular health, reduce insulin resistance, and boost metabolic function.¹⁶

One study of 12 older and 12 young men found improvements in fatigue in older men and strength on a leg-strength test after a single dose of nicotinamide riboside—a vitamin B3–derived supplement that can raise cellular NAD.¹⁷ Younger adults didn’t see benefits. Some research indicates that delivering NAD+ directly into the bloodstream helps avoid the absorption losses that can occur with oral precursors like nicotinamide riboside.¹⁸ However, more in-depth comparison studies about the best type of NAD+ are limited.

Do You Need a Prescription for NAD+?

NAD+ injections require a prescription from a licensed healthcare provider, such as a medical doctor, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant. Since there’s no standard blood test to measure NAD+ levels directly, your clinician may evaluate broader biomarkers and symptoms to determine whether NAD+ therapy is appropriate. 

Common reasons for prescribing NAD+ injections include chronic fatigue, brain fog, poor sleep quality, slow recovery, or signs of metabolic dysfunction—all of which may reflect depleted cellular NAD+ or impaired mitochondrial function.

While some people turn to NAD+ as a targeted, proactive approach to symptom management, others pursue it simply as a proactive way to support cellular health and healthy aging. 

NAD+

NAD+ vs. NADH—What’s the Difference?

What is NAD+ (NAD Plus) and Why Is it Important?

Are NAD+ Injections Safe?

NAD+ injections are safe when provided as a prescription and administered at the correct dosage. “NAD+ injections are bioidentical to the NAD+ naturally produced in the body,” Knight says. “NAD+ does not accumulate in the body, so there’s no known toxic dose, and has been clinically used for decades for neurological health, energy metabolism, and addiction recovery.” 

You can buy NAD+ injections online, but since the Food and Drug Administration doesn’t regulate supplements the way it regulates medications, it’s important to source supplements, including NAD+ injections, from vendors you trust. 

Also consider the following side effects of NAD+ injections:

• Fatigue or lethargy¹⁹
• Nausea or stomach discomfort²⁰
• Flushing or warmth²¹
• Headache²²
• Mild dizziness (especially in those with low blood pressure)
• Metabolic disorders like decreased insulin sensitivity²³
• Liver toxicity²⁴
• Temporary histamine reactions (mild allergy-like symptoms) in sensitive individuals

NAD+ contraindications

Children and women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should avoid NAD+ because there isn’t enough data in humans to establish its safety.²⁵

People taking the following medications should consult a doctor before adding NAD+ or NAD+ boosters: 

• Insulin or other glucose-lowering drugs²⁶
• Chemotherapy or other cancer treatments²⁷
• Antihypertensives²⁸
• Anticoagulants (blood thinners, e.g. warfarin)²⁹

Tips for Injecting NAD+ at Home

• With a little prep and the right technique, injecting NAD+ at home is easier and more comfortable than you might expect. Here are some best practices to get you started:
• Let the vial warm up: Consider removing your NAD+ vial from the fridge and letting it come to room temperature before injecting. Taking the chill off can make injections more comfortable.
• Set the stage: Choose a clean, well-lit space with a disinfected surface. Lay out everything you’ll need so it’s easily within reach.
• Clean hands, clean skin: Wash your hands with soap and water. Then, prep the injection site with an alcohol swab to minimize infection risk.
• Rotate injection sites: Switching up where you inject (e.g., alternating thighs or sides of the abdomen) can reduce skin irritation or discomfort over time. 
• Inject slowly: NAD+ can cause a flushing or tingling sensation if pushed too fast. A slow, steady injection is usually best tolerated. 
• Store it right: Keep your NAD+ vials refrigerated between 36–46 degrees F. Don’t freeze and keep away from light. 
• Dispose responsibly: Always place used syringes in a sharps container. If you don’t have one,ask your local pharmacy or waste service about take-back programs, or simply use a rigid, puncture-proof container with a secure lid (like an empty laundry detergent bottle) until you can safely dispose of it.
• Track your doses: Consider using a journal or app to record when and where you injected, how you felt afterward, and any changes over time.

Mentioned in This Article:

NAD+

A crucial ally in your body’s fight against aging. Supplementing with NAD+ may increase lifespan, boost strength and physical performance, help with weight loss, and more.

Learn More

About the author

Stephanie Andrews is a health copywriter and content strategist based in Chicago. She has worked with biotech, longevity, and performance-focused brands, including Tally Health, Good Inside, Found Health, Sika Health, Origin, Four Sigmatic, and more. When she’s not writing, you can also find her getting lit herself on fire, hit by cars, and dragged by horses as a professional stuntwoman.

About the reviewer

Natalie Kunsman, M.D., is a board certified physician specializing in functional, anti-aging, and regenerative medicine. She is a fellow of the American Academy of Anti-Aging medicine and the American Academy of Family Physicians.