NAD+ Infusions: The Miracle Drip That Isn’t — What Your Wellness Clinic Won’t Tell You
You’ve probably seen the ads.
“Reverse aging.” “Boost your energy.” “Detox your body.” All you have to do is sit in a chair for an hour or two, let an IV drip of something called NAD+ flow into your veins, and — presto — you’re a new person.
Except… you’re not. And here’s why you deserve to know the whole story.
Except… you’re not. And here’s why you deserve to know the whole story.
I’m writing this because I care about your health outcomes…
As a nurse practitioner in a New York City, I see the same faces at the grocery store, at the ballgame, and in my clinic. I’ve watched too many people spend hundreds — sometimes thousands — of dollars on NAD+ infusions based on promises that sound amazing but aren’t backed by the science. This isn’t about judgment. It’s about making sure you have the facts before you hand over your hard-earned money.
So What IS NAD+, Exactly?
NAD+ stands for nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide. That’s a mouthful, but here’s the simple version: it’s a molecule that every single cell in your body already makes and uses. It helps your cells turn food into energy, repair damaged DNA, and keep your metabolism running. Without NAD+, you would not be alive. It’s that important.
Here’s the part the wellness industry loves to tell you: NAD+ levels naturally decline as you age. That part is true. Researchers have been studying this for decades, and the decline in NAD+ is associated with aging and certain chronic diseases. (Source: Bhasin S, Seals D, Migaud M, Musi N, Baur JA. “Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide in Aging Biology: Potential Applications and Many Unknowns.” Endocrine Reviews, 2023.)1
Here’s the part they leave out: just because your NAD+ levels drop doesn’t mean pumping more NAD+ into your veins will fix anything. That’s like saying, “Tall people tend to be better at basketball, so if we just stretch everyone’s legs, they’ll all play in the NBA.”
Here’s the part the wellness industry loves to tell you: NAD+ levels naturally decline as you age. That part is true. Researchers have been studying this for decades, and the decline in NAD+ is associated with aging and certain chronic diseases. (Source: Bhasin S, Seals D, Migaud M, Musi N, Baur JA. “Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide in Aging Biology: Potential Applications and Many Unknowns.” Endocrine Reviews, 2023.)1
Here’s the part they leave out: just because your NAD+ levels drop doesn’t mean pumping more NAD+ into your veins will fix anything. That’s like saying, “Tall people tend to be better at basketball, so if we just stretch everyone’s legs, they’ll all play in the NBA.”
The FDA Has NOT Approved NAD+ Infusions to Treat Anything
Let’s say that louder for the people in the back:
NAD+ infusions are NOT FDA-approved to treat, cure, or prevent any disease or medical condition. Period.
Not fatigue. Not aging. Not depression. Not addiction. Not brain fog. Not Long COVID. Nothing.
The FDA is the agency responsible for making sure that the drugs and treatments available to Americans are safe and actually work. For a treatment to earn FDA approval, it has to go through rigorous clinical trials — large studies with hundreds or thousands of people — that prove it does what it claims to do without causing unacceptable harm.
NAD+ infusions have never completed that process. Not even close.
NAD+ infusions are NOT FDA-approved to treat, cure, or prevent any disease or medical condition. Period.
Not fatigue. Not aging. Not depression. Not addiction. Not brain fog. Not Long COVID. Nothing.
The FDA is the agency responsible for making sure that the drugs and treatments available to Americans are safe and actually work. For a treatment to earn FDA approval, it has to go through rigorous clinical trials — large studies with hundreds or thousands of people — that prove it does what it claims to do without causing unacceptable harm.
NAD+ infusions have never completed that process. Not even close.
But My Friend Said It Changed Their Life…
And they may genuinely believe that. The placebo effect is one of the most powerful forces in medicine. When you pay a lot of money for something, sit in a comfortable wellness clinic, and expect to feel better — your brain often obliges. That’s not weakness; that’s human biology.
There’s also the hydration factor. Many people who get NAD+ infusions are mildly dehydrated, sleep-deprived, or stressed. The IV fluid alone — just the saline — can make you feel dramatically better. You might be paying for an expensive bag of saltwater with a side of placebo.
There’s also the hydration factor. Many people who get NAD+ infusions are mildly dehydrated, sleep-deprived, or stressed. The IV fluid alone — just the saline — can make you feel dramatically better. You might be paying for an expensive bag of saltwater with a side of placebo.
What Does the Research Actually Show?
Here’s where it gets interesting — and where honesty matters.
There IS real science happening around NAD+. Researchers are studying whether boosting NAD+ levels might someday help with age-related diseases like heart disease, diabetes, or neurodegeneration. In animal studies — mostly in mice — increasing NAD+ has shown some promising results: improved metabolism, protection against heart damage, better brain function.
But here’s what every honest scientist will tell you: mice are not people. Promising results in mice fail to translate to humans all the time.
When it comes to human studies, here’s the reality:
There IS real science happening around NAD+. Researchers are studying whether boosting NAD+ levels might someday help with age-related diseases like heart disease, diabetes, or neurodegeneration. In animal studies — mostly in mice — increasing NAD+ has shown some promising results: improved metabolism, protection against heart damage, better brain function.
But here’s what every honest scientist will tell you: mice are not people. Promising results in mice fail to translate to humans all the time.
When it comes to human studies, here’s the reality:
- Most human research has used oral supplements (pills) containing NAD+ precursors like nicotinamide riboside (NR) or nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) — not IV infusions. (Source: Freeberg KA, Udovich CC, Martens CR, Seals DR, Craighead DH. “Dietary Supplementation With NAD+-Boosting Compounds in Humans: Current Knowledge and Future Directions.” The Journal of Gerontology: Series A, Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences, 2023.)2
- These oral supplements can raise NAD+ levels in the blood. But whether that actually improves health outcomes in humans. The results have been described by researchers as “heterogeneous and often null or endpoint specific.” Translation: sometimes they see a small effect on one measurement, but overall, nothing consistently impressive. (Source: Bhasin S, Seals D, Migaud M, Musi N, Baur JA. “Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide in Aging Biology: Potential Applications and Many Unknowns.” Endocrine Reviews, 2023.)3
- A major 2026 systematic review that analyzed 113 studies — 33 in humans — found zero eligible clinical trials that evaluated IV NAD+ itself for anti-aging or wellness purposes. Not even one. The same review concluded that “clinical effectiveness for anti-aging or wellness outcomes remains inconclusive” (Source: Gallagher C, Emmanuel OO. “NAD+ Supplementation for Anti-Aging and Wellness: A PRISMA-guided Systematic Review of Preclinical and Clinical Evidence.” Ageing Research Reviews, 2026.)4
- Researchers have also cautioned that much about NAD+ biology remains poorly understood, and that a “substantial investment in understanding the fundamental biology” is needed before safe clinical translation is possible. (Source: Migaud ME, Ziegler M, Baur JA. “Regulation of and Challenges in Targeting NAD+ Metabolism.” Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology, 2024.)5
Let that sink in. The wellness industry is selling you IV infusions of a product that has essentially never been properly tested in the form they’re giving it to you, for the reasons they’re giving it to you.
NAD+ Infusions Are Not Just Unproven — They Can Be Unpleasant
One of the things that rarely gets mentioned in the glossy brochures is that NAD+ infusions can cause significant side effects during the infusion itself:
- Moderate to severe nausea, vomiting, and abdominal cramping
- Chest pressure and tightness
- Increased heart rate
- Headaches
In one study comparing IV NAD+ to IV nicotinamide riboside, the NAD+ group had such intense symptoms that infusions took an average of 97 minutes — nearly twice as long as the comparison group — because the drip had to be slowed down so people could tolerate it. (Source: Reyna K, Heinzen G, Patel N, et al. “Intravenous Infusion of Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NAD+) Versus Nicotinamide Riboside (NR): A Retrospective Tolerability Pilot Study in a Real-World Setting.” Frontiers in Aging, 2025.)6
All of this for a treatment with no proven benefit.
All of this for a treatment with no proven benefit.
“But It’s Natural!”
So is arsenic. So is poison ivy. “Natural” does not mean safe, and it definitely doesn’t mean effective. NAD+ is indeed a natural molecule in your body, but injecting high doses of it directly into your bloodstream is not a natural process. Your body has sophisticated systems for making exactly the amount of NAD+ it needs, where it needs it, when it needs it. Flooding your bloodstream with it from an IV bypasses all of those regulatory systems.
Researchers have pointed out that NAD+ metabolism is complex and nonlinear — it doesn’t follow a simple “more is better” relationship. There are feedback mechanisms and biological saturation points that we still don’t fully understand. (Source: Migaud ME, Ziegler M, Baur JA. “Regulation of and Challenges in Targeting NAD+ Metabolism.” Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology, 2024.)7
Researchers have pointed out that NAD+ metabolism is complex and nonlinear — it doesn’t follow a simple “more is better” relationship. There are feedback mechanisms and biological saturation points that we still don’t fully understand. (Source: Migaud ME, Ziegler M, Baur JA. “Regulation of and Challenges in Targeting NAD+ Metabolism.” Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology, 2024.)7
The Money Question
A single NAD+ infusion session typically costs between $250 and $1,000. Many clinics recommend multiple sessions — sometimes four in a row, sometimes monthly “maintenance” drips. You could easily spend $2,000 to $5,000+ per year on a treatment with zero proven benefits.
You know what IS proven to boost your energy, improve your mood, protect your heart, and help you age better?
You know what IS proven to boost your energy, improve your mood, protect your heart, and help you age better?
- Regular exercise (even a 30-minute walk most days)
- A balanced diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains
- Adequate sleep (7-9 hours per night)
- Staying hydrated (with plain water — no IV needed)
- Managing stress
- Keeping up with your preventive care — screenings, vaccines, check-ups
These aren’t sexy. They don’t come with a trendy Instagram aesthetic. But they work. And they’re backed by mountains of evidence — not marketing.
What Should You Do If You’re Considering NAD+ Infusions?
- Talk to your primary care provider first. Not the person selling you the infusion — someone who doesn’t have a financial stake in your answer.
- Ask for the evidence. If a clinic claims NAD+ treats a specific condition, ask them to show you the FDA approval or the published clinical trials. (Spoiler: they won’t be able to.)
- Be skeptical of testimonials. Stories from satisfied customers are not scientific evidence. People also swear by healing crystals and magnetic bracelets.
- Consider what else that money could do for your health. A gym membership, a session with a nutritionist, or even just a good pair of walking shoes might do far more for you than any IV drip.
The Bottom Line
NAD+ is a real molecule. The science around it is genuinely interesting. Someday, researchers may figure out how to use NAD+ or its precursors to help treat specific diseases — but that day hasn’t come yet.
Right now, NAD+ infusions are an unregulated, unproven, expensive treatment being marketed with big promises and very little science to back them up. The clinics offering these infusions are not required to prove they work before taking your money. The FDA has not approved NAD+ to treat any condition.
You deserve better than hype. You deserve the truth.
Share this article with someone you love. Because the best kind of healthcare isn’t the most expensive — it’s the most honest.
Right now, NAD+ infusions are an unregulated, unproven, expensive treatment being marketed with big promises and very little science to back them up. The clinics offering these infusions are not required to prove they work before taking your money. The FDA has not approved NAD+ to treat any condition.
You deserve better than hype. You deserve the truth.
Share this article with someone you love. Because the best kind of healthcare isn’t the most expensive — it’s the most honest.
At VIPs IV, we only give FDA approved medicines. We only employ board certified nurse practitioners with at least 15 years of clinical experience. We only use evidence based science backed medicine to give you real results. We put your safety and health above all else.
*Disclaimer: This is not medical advice. Consult a physician before starting any supplement or exercise program.*
- Bhasin S, Seals D, Migaud M, Musi N, Baur JA. Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide in Aging Biology: Potential Applications and Many Unknowns. Endocr Rev. 2023;44(6):1047-1073. doi:10.1210/endrev/bnad019 ↩︎
- Freeberg KA, Udovich CC, Martens CR, Seals DR, Craighead DH. Dietary Supplementation With NAD+-Boosting Compounds in Humans: Current Knowledge and Future Directions. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2023;78(12):2435-2448. doi:10.1093/gerona/glad106 ↩︎
- Bhasin S, Seals D, Migaud M, Musi N, Baur JA. Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide in Aging Biology: Potential Applications and Many Unknowns. Endocr Rev. 2023;44(6):1047-1073. doi:10.1210/endrev/bnad019 ↩︎
- Gallagher C, Emmanuel OO. NAD⁺ supplementation for anti-aging and wellness: A PRISMA-guided systematic review of preclinical and clinical evidence. Ageing Res Rev. 2026;116:103057. doi:10.1016/j.arr.2026.103057 ↩︎
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- Reyna K, Heinzen G, Patel N, et al. Intravenous infusion of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) versus nicotinamide riboside (NR): a retrospective tolerability pilot study in a real-world setting. Front Aging. 2026;7:1652582. Published 2026 Feb 2. doi:10.3389/fragi.2026.1652582 ↩︎
- Migaud ME, Ziegler M, Baur JA. Regulation of and challenges in targeting NAD+ metabolism. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol. 2024;25(10):822-840. doi:10.1038/s41580-024-00752-w ↩︎
Aleksey Aronov, NP
Founder & Lead Nurse Practitioner
Hunter College Alum • Dual Board Certified (Adult & Gerontology)NPI: 1548616451 • NY License: #307286 • Licensed in PA & TXSpecialist in Hematology & Oncology with clinical background at Mount Sinai and Northwell Health. Founder of VIP's IV — delivering hospital-grade care to your door.