How often should you do NAD+ therapy?
Quick answer
For subcutaneous injections: 2-3 times per week is the standard maintenance protocol. For IV infusions: 1-4 sessions per month during loading, then 1-2 per month for maintenance. For oral NMN/NR: daily dosing. Frequency depends on your goals, budget, and delivery method.
Subcutaneous injection protocols
The most practical approach for ongoing NAD+ therapy. Standard protocols call for 2-3 injections per week, spaced evenly (e.g., Monday/Wednesday/Friday). Each injection delivers a measured dose that absorbs over hours, maintaining elevated tissue NAD+ levels between doses.
Some prescribers start with a daily loading phase (7-14 days) to rapidly build tissue levels, then drop to 2-3 times per week for maintenance. This mirrors the logic of IV loading followed by injection maintenance, but in a home-based format.
IV infusion frequency
Loading phase: many clinics recommend 3-5 consecutive daily IV sessions or 2-3 sessions per week for 2-4 weeks. This rapidly floods tissues with NAD+ and is particularly used in addiction recovery, chronic fatigue treatment, and anti-aging protocols.
Maintenance: once tissue levels are established, monthly or bimonthly IV sessions may be sufficient. Some patients do quarterly "booster" infusions. The decline rate of NAD+ after IV is faster than the decline from consistent injection therapy, which is why many patients transition from IV to injection for maintenance.
Oral supplement frequency
NMN and NR should be taken daily for consistent effect. Most studied doses are 250-1000mg NMN or 300-1000mg NR per day. Because oral bioavailability is lower, daily dosing is necessary to maintain tissue levels.
Some researchers suggest cycling -- 5 days on, 2 days off -- to prevent potential downregulation of endogenous NAD+ synthesis. This is theoretical and not validated in human studies. Most clinical protocols use continuous daily dosing.
Choosing your frequency
Your goals matter. For general wellness and anti-aging maintenance, 2-3 injections per week or daily oral supplements are appropriate. For active recovery from metabolic stress (chronic fatigue, post-illness, addiction recovery), more aggressive loading with IV followed by frequent injections may be warranted.
Budget is a factor. IV sessions are expensive; subcutaneous injections are moderate; oral supplements are cheapest. The best protocol is one you'll actually stick with long-term. An adequate dose you take consistently beats an optimal dose you can't sustain.
Learn more about NAD+
Frequently asked questions
Can you do NAD+ therapy every day?
Daily oral supplementation is standard. Daily subcutaneous injections are used during loading phases but not typically needed long-term. Daily IV infusions are used in intensive clinical protocols (addiction recovery, severe fatigue) for short periods only.
How long should a NAD+ therapy course last?
NAD+ therapy is generally ongoing. Unlike a course of antibiotics, there's no set endpoint. NAD+ levels decline continuously with age and metabolic stress. Most patients who benefit from NAD+ therapy plan for long-term use, adjusting frequency and method based on response and budget.
What happens if I stop NAD+ therapy?
NAD+ levels will gradually decline toward your pre-treatment baseline over weeks to months. The rate depends on your age, metabolic health, and lifestyle. Benefits fade as levels drop. There are no withdrawal effects -- you simply return to where you were before starting.
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