As it turns out, the process of aging is remarkably malleable. Emerging research shows that while factors like chronic stress, poor sleep and environmental damage can accelerate biological aging, many of these same mechanisms can also be slowed—and, in some cases, even partially reversed—through targeted lifestyle and clinical interventions.
One of the main factors that determines how well (and how fast) we age is NAD⁺.
Researchers are discovering that boosting NAD⁺ levels can play a key role in regenerative medicine, particularly in addressing diseases and cellular changes associated with getting older.1
To help replenish the NAD⁺ that our bodies naturally lose over time, many people have been turning to NAD+ IV Drip Therapy. But as the research evolves, scientists are finding there may be a more direct way to achieve the same (or even greater) benefits: Niagen (NR).
In fact, we’ve found that Niagen (NR) IV Drip Therapy has 75% shorter infusion times compared to NAD⁺ IVs and fewer reported adverse experiences.
In this article, we’ll break down what the latest research says about NAD⁺ and why Niagen (NR) IV Drips and IM Shots may be the best way to see long-lasting results. That way, you can make an informed decision about whether NAD⁺ vs Niagen (NR) is the right option for your body and health goals.
Highlights
- Niagen (NR) delivers longer-lasting benefits by supporting your body’s natural NAD⁺ production instead of relying on quick external infusions.
- NR is readily absorbed and converted to NAD⁺ within cells, making it up to 20% more effective than NAD⁺ IVs in clinical trials.
- As a Vitamin B3 derivative, Niagen (NR) is well-tolerated and avoids the discomfort sometimes linked to direct NAD⁺ infusions.
What is NAD+ and How Does NAD+ Therapy Work?
NAD+ (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide) is a coenzyme found in every cell of your body. It helps turn food into energy, repair DNA and regulate metabolism.
Without sufficient NAD⁺, your cells struggle to convert nutrients into usable energy, leading to fatigue, slower recovery and even accelerated aging.2
The problem? NAD⁺ levels naturally decline as we get older.
Over time, your body becomes less efficient at recycling NAD⁺ and starts burning through it faster. Enzymes triggered by stress and inflammation (like CD38 and PARPs) use up NAD⁺ more quickly, while the recycling enzyme NAMPT slows down.3 The result is a metabolic domino effect: lower NAD⁺ means less cellular energy and more inflammation.
Factors like stress, poor diet, overconsumption of alcohol and inflammation can also speed up this depletion.
That’s where NAD+ therapy can be helpful.
Studies show that by naturally boosting NAD+ you can help replenish the NAD⁺ your body loses over time, restoring the foundation your cells need for repair, energy and resilience.4
In other words, these NAD+ treatments don’t just work to make you look younger for longer — they can help you feel younger too.
What is Nicotinamide Riboside (NR)?
Nicotinamide Riboside (NR) is a unique form of Vitamin B3 that is a natural precursor to NAD+. Once inside your body, NR is quickly converted into nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) by enzymes called NR kinases (NRK1 and NRK2), and then into NAD⁺ through another key enzyme (NMNAT).5
This pathway is faster and more efficient than the one used by classic Vitamin B3 forms like Niacin or Nicotinamide. Hence, why NR is often considered the most bioavailable and best-tolerated way to raise NAD⁺.
Think of it as the upgraded version of Vitamin B3: your body converts NR straight into NAD⁺ inside your cells, without giving you the common side effects, like flushing.6
While you can find tiny traces of NR in foods like milk, yeast and beer, it’s not nearly enough to make a difference to your NAD⁺ scores. That’s why supplementing, either through IM Shots or IV Drip Therapy, is one of the most effective ways to restore and maintain NAD⁺ in the body.
Then, What is Niagen (NR) Exactly?
Niagen (NR) is a pharmaceutical-grade form of Nicotinamide Riboside (NR) designed to maximize NAD+ levels and effects by supporting the body's natural NAD+ production pathways.
Since it was founded in 1999, Niagen (NR) has undergone 175+ peer-reviewed preclinical studies to validate its mechanisms and efficacy. At the moment, there are also 30+ ongoing clinical trials exploring its impact on aging, metabolic health, cardiovascular function and neuroprotection.
Through these studies, Niagen (NR) has proven itself to be the most advanced and scientifically supported NAD⁺ precursor on the market.
That’s why it’s the hero ingredient in our Niagen (NR) IV Drips at Restore.
Below, our experts dig into the reasons why Niagen (NR) is superior to NAD⁺ IV Drips and IM Shots, and what the latest research says about its effectiveness in boosting cellular energy and supporting long-term health.
1. Longer Lasting Results
The key advantage of Niagen (NR) is that it works within your body’s natural systems to gradually and consistently boost NAD+ levels.
When you get an NAD⁺ IV, it quickly raises NAD⁺ levels in your bloodstream. This can give you a short burst of energy or mental clarity—but that effect doesn’t always last.
The reason is that NAD⁺ itself is a large and charged molecule, meaning that your cells can’t easily absorb it. Your body has to break it down first, then rebuild it inside the cell before it can actually be used.7 That’s why the “boost” you feel may fade away fairly quickly.
Niagen (NR), on the other hand, takes a steadier approach.
As a vitamin B3 precursor, it supports your body’s ability to produce NAD⁺ internally rather than relying on an external supply. By supporting your body’s natural regenerative process, Niagen encourages a more balanced, sustained level of NAD⁺ production over time, rather than a quick spike followed by a drop.
In one open-label trial, participants taking up to 2,000 mg of NR daily roughly doubled their whole-blood NAD⁺ levels in just over a week.8 Another 12-week study showed the same high dose safely increased NAD⁺ without affecting glucose or lipid metabolism.9
In short, Niagen (NR) doesn’t flood your system with NAD⁺. Instead, it helps train your body to try to sustain its own energy and repair mechanisms more efficiently over time.
2. More Efficient Cellular Uptake
A recent analysis of more than 25 clinical trials indicates that Nicotinamide Riboside (NR) is efficiently absorbed and quickly converted into NAD⁺ through your body’s existing metabolic pathways.10
Unlike an NAD⁺ IV, Niagen (NR) IV Therapy is absorbed directly into cells. Once inside, it’s converted to NAD⁺ through your body's “salvage pathway”—the same route your body relies on every day to recycle and restore NAD⁺.11
Because Niagen (NR) doesn’t require any extra processing or breakdown, this conversion can happen much more quickly and efficiently. In fact, in a clinical trial, participants who received a Niagen (NR) IV Drip showed a 20% higher NAD⁺ increase at the three-hour mark compared with baseline levels, NAD⁺ IV Drip and oral NR.12
3. Better Tolerance and Fewer Side Effects
Another key reason Niagen (NR) stands up against NAD+ Therapy is its tolerability. Because Niagen (NR) is a form of Vitamin B3 and supports the body's natural processes, it is generally well-tolerated—even at high doses.
Clinical research consistently supports this.
In a 12-week, randomized, placebo-controlled trial, researchers gave 40 overweight, insulin-resistant men 1,000 mg of Nicotinamide Riboside (NR) twice daily. Throughout the experiment, participants experienced no serious adverse effects, and safety markers for the liver, kidneys and other systems remained stable. Only four participants (around 10%) reported experiencing mild symptoms, such as mild itching, bloating, sweating or brief digestive changes. However, all of these were resolved without treatment.9
In another clinical trial testing one g/day of Niagen (NR) in older adults with mild cognitive impairment, researchers again found it was safe and well tolerated, with no differences in side effects compared to placebo treatment. 13
The reason why Niagen may feel gentler on your body is the way it interacts with your cells—the same can’t be said about NAD⁺ Therapy. Because high concentrations of NAD⁺ aren’t naturally present in the body, direct NAD⁺ infusions can sometimes cause mild side effects such as headaches or muscle aches.
This sensitivity isn’t unique either.
Other NAD⁺-related compounds have shown similar reactions when delivered in large amounts. For instance, older forms of vitamin B3 like Niacin can trigger uncomfortable skin flushing by activating the GPR109A receptor.¹⁴
For this reason, Niagen (NR) Therapy can be seen as a safer and more effective option for those seeking to increase their NAD+ levels without the risk of an uncomfortable infusion experience.
4. Boost Metabolism, Energy & Anti-Aging Intervention
At a cellular level, Nicotinamide Riboside (NR) helps restore what scientists call redox balance—the equilibrium between oxidants and antioxidants that keeps your cells’ energy systems running efficiently. By replenishing NAD⁺ levels in your body, Niagen (NR) supports the NAD⁺/NADH cycle that drives mitochondrial ATP production and regulates oxidative stress.15
To put it simply: as NAD⁺ levels fall, which they naturally do with age, your mitochondria (the tiny “powerhouses” inside your cells) start to lose steam. That means your body produces less cellular energy and becomes less effective at repair, which can cause your overall energy levels to dip.
Your skin feels this effect too.16
When cellular energy production slows, so does skin cell turnover and the processes that maintain collagen structure. Over time, this can contribute to visible signs of aging like dullness, fine lines and loss of firmness.17
Niagen (NR) helps counter this by rebuilding NAD⁺ inside your cells, where energy production actually happens. This recharges mitochondrial activity, helping your body create more ATP—the molecule that fuels everything from muscle recovery to brain function. At the same time, NR activates NAD⁺-dependent enzymes like sirtuins, which help repair DNA and protect collagen from oxidative damage.
By supporting these deeper repair pathways, Niagen (NR) may help you gain more energy, recover faster after exercise and keep your skin looking firm, hydrated and healthy.
5. NAD+ May Trigger an Immune Response
One of the lesser-known differences between Niagen (NR) and NAD⁺ Therapy is how each interacts with your immune system.
When NAD⁺ is infused directly into the bloodstream, a portion of it stays outside your cells for a while. In high amounts, that extracellular NAD⁺ can act as a “danger signal,” prompting your immune system to respond as if your cells were damaged.
It’s your body’s natural clean-up instinct—but it can also lead to mild inflammation or sensitivity during treatment.
Niagen (NR), on the other hand, supports immune balance rather than triggering an immune response. Because Nicotinamide Riboside (NR) is absorbed into cells and then converted to NAD⁺ internally, it helps restore energy and redox balance without setting off an inflammatory response.12
In fact, recent clinical research shows that Nicotinamide Riboside (NR) supplementation can lower oxidative stress and inflammation in people with chronic conditions. One 2025 study found that Nicotinamide Riboside (NR) not only boosted NAD⁺ levels but also shifted the activity of genes involved in immune and mitochondrial function.18
In other words, Niagen (NR) helps your body stay in balance by restoring energy and supporting immune function from the inside out—without the inflammatory side effects that can come with NAD⁺ IVs.
Niagen (NR) vs. NAD⁺ IV Therapy: A Clear Comparison
NAD+ vs. NR (Niagen): How to Choose the Right Therapy for You
Choosing between NAD⁺ Therapy and Niagen (NR) Therapy comes down to your goals, how your body responds and the kind of results you’re after.
If you’re looking for a cost-effective way to boost your energy, focus and recovery, NAD⁺ Therapy may be the right choice.
It’s a proven option for supporting cellular repair, reducing inflammation, improving cognition and mood as well as promoting overall wellness. Think of it as a fast-acting, budget-friendly way to help your body recharge and restore balance.
If, however, you’re focused on long-term cellular health and sustained energy, Niagen (NR) may be the smarter investment. As a more advanced form of Vitamin B3, Niagen works with your body’s natural biology to help rebuild NAD⁺ in a more impactful way. That means you’re more likely to see longer-lasting effects, fewer side effects and a more profound impact on energy, metabolism and healthy aging.
Ask about our NAD+ and Niagen (NR) Plans, which provide long-term consistency and cost savings to achieve results.
Not sure which option is best for you? Our medical team can help guide you through the process. We review your health history, lifestyle and wellness goals to tailor a therapy that best fits your needs.
For the superior way to feel the effects of NAD+ with long-lasting results and fewer adverse experiences, book your Niagen (NR) IV Drip today.
Disclaimer: Always consult your healthcare provider before beginning any IV or supplement therapy to ensure it’s safe and appropriate for your individual health goals.
FAQs for NAD+ vs. NR (Niagen)
Can I combine NAD⁺ IV and Niagen (NR) Therapy for better results?
There is very limited clinical evidence on combining Niagen (NR) Therapy and Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NAD⁺) IV Therapy for additive benefit. We do, however, offer 125mg NAD+ and Niagen (NR) Add-Ons to IV Drips. This can be a great way to get the full effects of your IV Drip nutrients for your need state, with the added benefits of Niagen (NR) or NAD+.
How soon can I expect to feel results after a Niagen (NR) IV or IM Therapy?
In a 2024 randomized pilot study, whole-blood NAD⁺ levels rose by about 20% within three hours of a single Niagen IV infusion in healthy adults.12 However, the time it takes to feel results can vary from person to person and regular sessions over several weeks are more likely to deliver noticeable and sustained benefits.
Can anyone take Niagen (NR) IVC or IM Therapy?
While Niagen (NR) IV and IM Therapy are both generally considered safe and have shown few adverse reactions in clinical studies on healthy adults, they may not be suitable for everyone. At Restore, we require all clients to complete a medical intake form and consult with a qualified healthcare professional before starting any Niagen (NR) Therapy.
What’s the difference between Niagen IV Drips and IM Shots, and which one should I choose?
The main difference between Niagen IV Drips and IM Shots is how they’re delivered to your body and how long each treatment takes, so it mostly depends on your schedule and preference.
IV Drips are infused directly into your bloodstream through an intravenous line, whereas IM Shots are injected into your muscle for slower absorption. Your entire IM appointment takes about 15 minutes, (which can include a two-to-three-minute Cryotherapy session), while Niagen (NR) IV Drip sessions typically take 30–45 minutes.
Medical services are provided by an independently-owned physician practice. Some services may require medical clearance and a prescription. We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone. Services, prices and nutrients may vary per location. The content on our site, blog posts, educational materials, app, promotional newsletters, and any other written content is not intended to replace an evaluation with a qualified healthcare professional and is not intended as medical advice.
