NAD+ is a powerful molecule found in every single cell of the body. Its job is to assist in biochemical reactions and supply the mitochondria with the energy it needs to maintain good sleep, stabilize mood, and ensure our immune systems work properly. This makes NAD+ not only necessary but incredibly important.
What is NAD+ IV Therapy and How Does it work?
NAD+ truly is the master metabolizer! It has many roles, but the one I’ll focus on is its main function of electron transfer. NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) is involved in redox reactions, accepting electrons, and then donating them, from one reaction to the next. The electrons (stored energy) carried by NADH (reduced form) can be converted to ATP in the mitochondria via a process called oxidative phosphorylation. This results in energy production.
When the body has all the necessary ingredients for this process, our cells are well nourished and we feel good! When we don’t have them, we feel weak and sick. So, here’s where it gets interesting…
Around age 25 our body really slows down in the production of NAD+.1 Not only does getting older decrease our storage of NAD+, but so does stress, chronic illness, poor sleep, overeating, and drug/alcohol use. Our bodies do naturally continue to produce small amounts from tryptophan and aspartic acid via de novo synthesis of niacin (vitamin B3) from the salvage pathway, but the magic happens when we get therapeutic NAD+ IV doses.2
What are the benefits of NAD+ IV therapy?
An imbalance of neurotransmitters in the brain — like gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), serotonin, and dopamine — can cause anxiety or depression. With depleted NAD+ levels, we tend to see low dopamine.3 NAD+ helps balance these neurotransmitters, and IV therapy may provide relief.
NAD+ can be considered for people with a variety of conditions including addiction, medication tapering support, OCD, anxiety, depression, psychosis, schizophrenia,4 Alzheimer’s,5 Parkinson’s, and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
NAD+ and Addiction
Tryptophan turns into NAD+ in the liver, which is partially why alcohol and drug use deplete it. NAD+ therapy is done intravenously over a few hours. Most people notice improvement very quickly which is one reason I like it so much. When I say “improvement” what I mean is that people report improved sleep, more stable mood, better energy, and reduced/eliminated tapering symptoms.
Yes, there are oral supplements, but you just can’t reach therapeutic doses with them. I do like them for keeping levels up between drips, but I don’t find them to be “enough” on their own for most people to notice a difference.
I see people get “stuck” near the end of their taper, experiencing those interdosing withdrawal symptoms, not being able to cut down to the next dose and that’s where I see NAD+ IV therapy do a lot for people.
We currently offer NAD+ IV in Sedona, AZ at Alternative to Meds Center.
1. Massudi H, Grant R, Braidy N, Guest J, Farnsworth B, Guillemin GJ Age-associated changes in oxidative stress and NAD+ metabolism in human tissue. Abstract, PubMed [INTERNET] 2012 Jul 27 [cited 2020 May 7]
2. Bakker BM, Overkamp KM, van Maris AJA , Kötter P, Luttik MAH, van Dijken JP, Pronk JT Stoichiometry and compartmentation of NADH metabolism in Saccharomyces cerevisiae Abstract, Oxford Academic, FEMS Microbiology Review [INTERNET] 2001 Jan 1 [cited 2020 May 7]
3. Miller CL The evolution of schizophrenia: a model for selection by infection, with a focus on NAD. Abstract, PubMed [INTERNET] 2009 [cited 2020 May 7]
4. Wan FJ, Lin HC, Kang BH, Tseng CJ, Tung CS D-amphetamine-induced depletion of energy and dopamine in the rat striatum is attenuated by nicotinamide pretreatment. Abstract, PubMed [INTERNET] 1999 Oct {cited 2020 May 7]
5. Demarin V, Podobnik SS, Storga-Tomic D, Kay G Treatment of Alzheimer’s disease with stabilized oral nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide: a randomized, double-blind study. Abstract, PubMed [INTERNET] 2004 [cited 2020 May 7]
Julia Britz
Julia Britz is a licensed naturopathic doctor who received her training from Bastyr University in San Diego, CA. She specializes in supporting people who are struggling with mental health issues such as anxiety, OCD and eating disorders; as well as a chronic illness like autoimmunity and mold toxicity. Her passion for working with individuals suffering from these lonely conditions is that she too was a “hopeless case”, but got better.
Dismissed by doctors, she was told over and over there was nothing else she could try beyond pharmacotherapy, and so was inspired to create myocddiary.com, a site dedicated to documenting the daily life of OCD and related disorders. Through this project and holistic therapies, she found new levels of wellness, and in 2014 did a TED talk called “MyOCDdiary: an imperfect story.”
She utilizes natural and integrative modalities including targeted amino acid therapy, peptide therapy, micronutrient therapy, NAD+ and IV therapy, botanical medicine and epigenetic analysis. Dr. Britz listens to her patients and respects where each person is on their healing journey. She understands that each individual has unique needs and she is passionate about finding creative ways to support them and optimize their health. She is passionate about the work being done at ATMC, by the healthcare team and the residents, because true healing happens when we all heal together.
In her personal life, Dr. Britz loves to paint, go backcountry camping with her siblings, bake and explore ghost towns. Originally from Las Vegas, she now enjoys living in Arizona with her adorable cat, Icky Thump.
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