NAD Injections & IVs: Potent yet Costly

26 Jul 2026 · 2 min

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2:09

In this video, the speaker explains the differences between NAD shots, injections, and IV infusions, emphasizing that regardless of delivery method, intact NAD cannot directly enter cells and must first be broken down into smaller precursors such as NMN or NR. The discussion covers why some people prefer shots to bypass oral metabolism, and why IV NAD is sometimes advocated for individuals recovering from viral illnesses or chronic inflammation, acting as a rapid supply of raw materials for depleted NAD stores. The speaker highlights the substantial financial cost of IV treatments ($200–$600 per session) and details common acute side effects—including chest tightness, nausea, intense flushing, and a crawling skin sensation—attributing them to NAD degradation products and high nicotinamide levels. A personal anecdote about experiencing localized side effects after an arm injection underscores the practical risks. Overall, the content provides a balanced, cautionary overview of NAD administration methods, their metabolic constraints, therapeutic justifications, costs, and safety considerations.

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Now let's talk about shots or NAD injections. A lot of people think shots are more potent, but it's really just that you get to skip the gut and bypass the liver tax. So if that's what you want, go for it. But you still need to know that injecting NAD doesn't mean it gets straight into the tissues just like that. Intact NAD is simply too big to cross into your cells on its own. Whether you inject it into your hip or swallow it in a capsule, your body still has to chop it down into smaller precursors to get it inside the cellular wall. But some people just like shots. Then there's IV NAD infusions. When you take NAD via an IV, the same story applies here. Your body still must first break it down into NMN or NR, import it, and recycle it back into NAD inside the cell. And this takes a couple of hours. The argument for getting an NAD IV is really about whether you are recovering from something like a viral illness or chronic inflammation and your body has just burned through its stores and like nothing's left. In those circumstances, IV NAD+ could potentially act like a biological rescue mission, forcing a large amount of raw materials into the tissues that desperately need it. But beware of the cost of the IV, not only financially— these will run you $200 to $600 per treatment— but also the notorious side effects, which are chest tightness or feeling like an elephant is sitting on your chest, nausea, intense flushing, and a feeling like your body just wants to crawl out of its own skin. These side effects are caused by NAD degradation products binding to receptors and high levels of free nicotinamide forcing your blood vessels to dilate and your smooth muscles to violently contract all at the same time. It's like an uncomfortable circus. In your body. I actually took an NAD injection in my arm the other day and had those symptoms in just my arm for about an hour. It was weird. So you can get these side effects from the injections too. Just be aware.