Driftwood Vitality: Understanding NAD+ and What the Research Actually Says

NAD+ is having a moment. It is all over longevity podcasts, wellness clinics, and anti-aging discussions, often with claims that range from genuinely interesting to wildly overstated. Here is a grounded look at what it actually is, what the research supports, and why we offer it.

What NAD+ Is

Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide is a coenzyme present in every living cell. It plays a central role in how your mitochondria produce energy, how your cells repair DNA, and how your body regulates a range of metabolic processes. Without it, basic cellular function breaks down.

NAD+ levels decline naturally with age. This is well established and not particularly controversial. What is still being actively researched is exactly what that decline contributes to and how much replenishing it matters in practice (Chini et al., 2024).

What the Research Supports

The most consistent finding across the literature is that NAD+ supplementation reliably raises NAD+ levels in the body. A placebo-controlled trial found that nicotinamide riboside supplementation increased NAD+ levels in peripheral blood cells by approximately 139%, confirming that delivery does what it is supposed to do at a biochemical level (Martens et al., 2018, cited in Szarvas et al., 2025).

A 2026 PRISMA-guided systematic review examining 113 eligible studies, including 33 human intervention trials, found that NAD supplementation was generally well tolerated and consistently demonstrated biochemical target engagement, meaning it raises NAD+ levels reliably. Effects on functional outcomes, including energy, metabolism, and cognitive function, were more variable and context dependent (ScienceDirect, 2026).

Research into NAD+ for neurodegeneration is one of the more promising areas, with ongoing clinical trials examining its role in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, driven by evidence that deficits in energy metabolism contribute significantly to nervous system degeneration (nad.com, 2025).

A 2022 study published in Nature Aging found that higher human NAD+ levels were positively associated with healthy aging and muscle function, adding observational support to mechanistic evidence (Janssens et al., 2022).

Where the Evidence Is Still Developing

Large-scale randomized controlled trials specifically examining IV NAD+ in healthy adults are limited. A 2020 systematic review noted that most evidence at that point came from small studies rather than rigorous large-scale trials, though the field has moved considerably since then.

Cognitive function, specifically, is an area where results have been mixed. A 2025 double-blind trial found that NAD+ supplementation did not improve cognitive scores beyond placebo, though medium effect sizes suggested that a larger study might reveal differences (Tavares & Tsotsoros, 2025). 

The practical reality is that NAD+ research is moving quickly, and human trial data are catching up to the substantial preclinical and mechanistic evidence. The biology is compelling. The clinical picture for healthy adults specifically is still being established.

What Clients Choose It For

At Hyndford Hydration, Driftwood Vitality is our NAD+ infusion, available from 250mg upward. Clients who request it tend to fall into a few groups: those interested in longevity support, those managing significant fatigue or cognitive load, and those incorporating it into a broader wellness protocol.

It is worth being straightforward about what to expect. NAD+ infusions take time. Allow two to six hours, depending on your dose. Some clients experience flushing or discomfort at higher infusion rates, and your nurse will adjust the infusion rate accordingly throughout the session. It is not a quick top-up infusion. It is a deliberate, time-based session.

It also requires advanced pharmacy ordering. Contact us at least three weeks before your preferred date.

IV therapy is supportive in nature. We do not diagnose or treat medical conditions, and we will not claim to do so.

Serving Nanaimo from Lantzville to Cedar

All sessions are delivered to your door with no waiting room and no mandatory consultation fees for most clients. Clinical screening is completed before every visit under a valid BC medical directive. Travel is included within our Nanaimo service area. Outside Lantzville to Cedar? Get in touch for a travel quote.

Interested in Driftwood Vitality? Get in touch before booking, and we will answer your questions honestly.

Ready? Reserve your infusion today.

References

Chini, C. C. S., Cordeiro, H. S., Tran, N. L. K., & Chini, E. N. (2024). NAD metabolism: Role in senescence regulation and aging. Aging Cell, 23, e13920.

Janssens, G. E., Grevendonk, L., Perez, R. Z., Schomakers, B. V., de Vogel-van den Bosch, J., Geurts, J. M. W., et al. (2022). Healthy aging and muscle function are positively associated with NAD+ abundance in humans. Nature Aging, 2(3), 254-263.

Szarvas, Z., Reyff, Z. A., Peterfi, A., Pinto, C. B., Owens, C. D., Kaposzta, Z., et al. (2025). Effects of NAD+ supplementation with oral nicotinamide riboside on vascular health and cognitive function in older adults with peripheral artery disease. Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, 392(7), 103607.

Tavares, K., & Tsotsoros, C. (2025). A double-blind trial to test if NAD+ improves cognition. Innovation in Aging, 9(Suppl 1). https://doi.org/10.1093/geroni/igaf122.3517

Vinten et al. (2025). Clinical evidence for the use of NAD+ precursors to slow aging. Geromedicine. https://sciexplor.com/articles/Geromedicine.2025.0008