NAD+ Dosage & Protocol Guide: Injections, IV Therapy, and Reconstitution Explained

NAD+ (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide)

NAD+ is a critical coenzyme involved in cellular energy production, mitochondrial function, and DNA repair. Levels decline with age, making NAD+ support a key strategy in longevity, metabolic health, recovery, and cellular resilience.

How NAD+ Works

Cellular Energy ↑ → Mitochondrial Function ↑ → DNA Repair ↑ → Cellular Resilience ↑

NAD+ plays a central role in ATP production and helps support pathways involved in cellular repair and longevity, including sirtuins. Supporting NAD+ levels may improve energy, recovery, mitochondrial efficiency, and metabolic function.

Subcutaneous Protocol

500 mg vial + 3.0 mL BAC Water → 1 unit = 1.67 mg → Daily or Pulse-Based NAD+ Support

SubQ Setup

Vial500 mg

Water3.0 mL bacteriostatic water

Concentration166.7 mg/mL

Conversion1 unit = 1.67 mg

Week 1

Loading

Dose50 mg

Units30 units

Volume0.30 mL

Week 2

Build

Dose75 mg

Units45 units

Volume0.45 mL

Weeks 3–16

Maintenance

Dose100 mg

Units60 units

Volume0.60 mL

Why use this version?

Practical Home Use

Subcutaneous NAD+ is the most practical home-use approach for consistent support. It gives a steadier structure than IV use and is easier to maintain during longer support phases.

Support Style

This is usually the easiest format for building a repeatable routine for energy, recovery, metabolic support, and broader cellular support phases.

Alternative Clinical Use

Alternative NAD+ Delivery Styles

IV Infusion250–500 mg weekly

IM Injection50 mg up to 3x weekly

SubQ30–100 mg daily

Simple takeaway:

IV and IM NAD+ are more clinical-style approaches, while SubQ is usually the most practical for longer self-directed support phases.

How to Use NAD+ (Cycle, Timing & Injection)

Typical FrequencyOnce daily or pulse-based

Typical Cycle Length8–16 weeks

Best TimeMorning

Injection TypeSubcutaneous

Best Time to Take

Morning is usually preferred because NAD+ is more commonly used for energy, cellular support, and metabolic function rather than sleep support.

Some people still use it at other times, but morning usually fits best with the intended effect profile.

Staying hydrated before and after dosing often improves comfort.

Where to Inject

Abdomen, thigh, or upper arm are the most common subcutaneous sites.

Alternate sites regularly to reduce irritation.

Use a consistent routine if running longer support phases.

When to Use

During recovery phases

During higher metabolic demand or stress-support phases

As part of a broader mitochondrial or longevity-focused stack

When energy support, cellular repair support, or recovery support is the main goal

Simple Strategy

Think in Support Phases

Instead of thinking “I need NAD+ all the time,” it usually works better to think: “When does my system need extra support?”

Best Practical Use

NAD+ usually works best when tied to a purpose — recovery, stress, mitochondrial demand, or a broader stack phase — rather than being treated like a permanent daily stim.

Why Dosing Differs by Injection Method

Why route matters

NAD+ behaves differently than most peptides. It is not simply binding to a receptor — it must enter cells and be used inside the mitochondria to support energy production.

Because of this, the injection route directly affects how much NAD+ actually reaches the cellular level.

IV (Intravenous)

IV administration delivers NAD+ directly into the bloodstream with no absorption barrier.

This results in the highest bioavailability and the most immediate systemic availability.

Because delivery is direct and efficient, lower total dosing is typically required compared to other methods.

IM (Intramuscular)

IM injections deliver NAD+ into muscle tissue, where it is absorbed into circulation over time.

Muscle has good blood flow, allowing for relatively efficient absorption, but not as direct as IV.

Some loss occurs during this process, which is why dosing is typically higher than IV.

SubQ (Subcutaneous)

SubQ injections place NAD+ into the fatty tissue beneath the skin, where absorption is slower.

This area has lower blood flow compared to muscle, resulting in more gradual uptake into circulation.

Because of slower absorption and reduced efficiency, higher or more frequent dosing is often used to achieve similar systemic availability.

Key Concept

Unlike many peptides, NAD+ must enter cells and be utilized inside the mitochondria to have an effect.

This means the injection route influences:
• how much reaches circulation
• how much enters cells
• how much is ultimately available for energy production

The difference in dosing is not about strength — it is about how efficiently the compound is delivered to where it is used.

Reconstitution & Dosing (500 mg Vial)

Reconstitution & Dosing

Vial500 mg

Water3.0 mL bacteriostatic

Concentration166.7 mg/mL

Conversion1 unit = 1.67 mg

Dose Reference

30 units = 50 mg

45 units = 75 mg

60 units = 100 mg

90 units = 150 mg

Reconstitution Steps

Draw 3.0 mL bacteriostatic water

Inject slowly down the vial wall

Gently swirl, do not shake

Refrigerate immediately after reconstitution

Handling Note

Protect from light and avoid freeze-thaw cycles once reconstituted.

Storage & Shelf Life

Storage & Shelf Life

Lyophilized (unmixed)

Refrigerated (2–8°C): ~1–2 years

Frozen (−20°C): ~2+ years

Keep sealed, dry, and protected from light

Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles

Reconstituted (mixed)

Reconstituted: 2–8°C (36–46°F)

Best used within 14 days

Protect from light

Avoid freeze-thaw cycles

Why the use window is shorter

NAD+ is often treated a little more cautiously after reconstitution than many peptides, especially when people want to prioritize potency and stability. This is why shorter use windows are commonly preferred.

Best Practice

Handling

Keep the vial cold, minimize unnecessary handling, and avoid repeated temperature changes.

Visual Check

If a solution ever appears off, contaminated, or unusual after mixing, it is safer not to keep using it.

Time Between Cycles

Support Phase → Reset Phase → Support Phase Again

Simple + Practical Guideline

Cycle Length4–8 weeks

Time Off2–4 weeks

Why not run it nonstop?

NAD+ is not a stimulant. It is a cellular cofactor.

The body naturally regulates NAD+ levels and adjusts enzyme activity like sirtuins and PARPs. If you run it continuously, you may notice diminishing returns as the system adapts to higher availability.

Best Ways to Structure It

Option 14–8 weeks on, 2–4 weeks off

Clean reset and usually the easiest structure to follow

Option 21–3x weekly pulse use

No strict cycle, less adaptation, often feels better long-term

Option 3Stack-based use

Use NAD+ during higher-demand phases, then reset once that phase ends

When to Take Time Off Sooner

No added benefit anymore

Feeling flat or unchanged

Overuse fatigue, which is uncommon but can happen

Common Mistakes

Running high NAD+ daily for months

Treating it like caffeine

Not pairing it with a purpose such as recovery, stress support, or a stack phase

Simple content version:
NAD+ is best used in cycles or pulses, not continuously. Most people run it for 4–8 weeks, then take 2–4 weeks off to maintain effectiveness and allow the body to reset.

Benefits

Increases cellular energy and ATP support

Supports mitochondrial function

Enhances recovery and endurance

Promotes DNA repair and longevity pathways

Improves mental clarity and focus

Supports metabolic health

Potential Side Effects

Flushing or warmth sensation

Mild nausea at higher doses

Fatigue or overstimulation initially

Injection site irritation

Limited long-term data

Stacking Strategies

NAD+ → Cellular Energy ↑ → Mitochondrial Demand ↑ → Stack Support Amplifies Effects

Energy Stack: NAD+ + MOTS-c

Longevity Stack: NAD+ + Epitalon

Mitochondrial Support: NAD+ + SS-31

Important Disclaimer

NAD+ protocols vary based on individual needs. This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.

NAD+ Guide → Peptide Directory →