NAD+ Therapy: What It Is, What It Does, and How to Get Started

I didn’t add NAD+ to my routine because I read about it in a magazine. I added it because I was doing everything right for weight loss, losing pounds slowly with GLP-1, eating better, moving more, and still feeling like I was running on 60% capacity every single day. The fatigue wasn’t dramatic. It was just constant.

My provider at GobyMeds mentioned NAD+ during a follow-up. I hadn’t asked about it. She brought it up because a lot of her patients on GLP-1 were experiencing the same low-energy plateau I was describing. I did some reading that night and started asking more questions.

This is the guide I wish I had found then.

Table of Contents

What Is NAD+?

NAD+ stands for nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide. It’s a coenzyme that exists in every living cell in your body. It’s essential for energy production, DNA repair, and cell signaling. Without it, your cells can’t produce energy efficiently.

The problem is that NAD+ levels decline with age. Research suggests they drop by roughly 50% between your 40s and 60s. That decline correlates with lower energy, slower metabolism, reduced cognitive sharpness, and the general feeling that recovery from anything takes longer than it used to.

NAD+ therapy involves supplementing those depleted levels through injections. The goal isn’t to cure anything. The goal is to restore a cellular resource that your body used to have in abundance and no longer makes in the same quantity.

Who Is NAD+ For?

Unlike GLP-1 medications, which require a qualifying BMI, NAD+ has broader reach. It’s relevant for anyone experiencing:

Persistent low energy despite adequate sleep
Mental fog or difficulty concentrating
Slow recovery from exercise
Signs of accelerated aging in skin, hair, or joint health
A general sense of running below capacity

The biohacking community has been talking about NAD+ for years. More recently it’s crossed into mainstream wellness as the research has accumulated and access has improved through telehealth.

What the Research Shows

NAD+ research is genuinely interesting even if it’s still developing. A 2018 study in Cell Metabolism found that NMN supplementation (a precursor that raises NAD+ levels) improved muscle function and energy metabolism in older adults. Research from Harvard’s aging labs, particularly from David Sinclair, has positioned NAD+ as central to the biology of aging.

The honest framing: the evidence suggests NAD+ matters for healthy aging and energy metabolism. The clinical picture in humans is still developing. People who try it often report feeling noticeably better. My own experience matched that, which I’ve written about in more detail here: My Experience with NAD+: How It Changed My Energy and Focus

How NAD+ Is Delivered

Oral supplements (NMN or NR) — Precursors to NAD+ available over the counter. Lower bioavailability than injections but convenient and accessible.

Subcutaneous injections — What GobyMeds offers. Higher bioavailability than oral supplements. Self-administered, similar to GLP-1 injections.

IV infusion — The highest bioavailability option, typically done in a clinical setting. More expensive and less convenient.

The injection route through telehealth splits the difference between convenience and efficacy, which is why it’s become the most popular option for people who take this seriously but aren’t going to a clinic every week.

NAD+ Alongside GLP-1

A lot of people on GLP-1 therapy eventually ask about NAD+. The two address different things. GLP-1 manages hunger signaling and blood sugar. NAD+ addresses cellular energy production and aging. They’re complementary rather than competing.

For more on how I use both: NAD+ vs GLP-1: Why I Use Both and What Each One Does

How to Get NAD+ Through Telehealth

GobyMeds offers NAD+ injections through a telehealth evaluation. You complete a health assessment, connect with a licensed provider, and if you’re a candidate the medication ships from a licensed pharmacy. Use code MTVN25 for $25 off your first order.

What to Read Next

Judy White is the founder of Motivation Weight Loss. She writes from personal experience and is not a medical professional.