NAD+ Precursor
NMN (Nicotinamide Mononucleotide)
Emerging EvidenceNAD+ precursor biology is well characterised and short human trials report raised NAD+ levels; the leap from that to durable cognitive or longevity benefit in healthy adults is not established, and the trials are small and short.
Recommended Dose
500–1000 mg daily
Timing
Morning on empty stomach
Mechanism of Action
Direct precursor to NAD+ via the salvage pathway. Elevates NAD+ levels to activate sirtuins (SIRT1-7) for DNA repair, mitochondrial function, and epigenetic regulation of aging pathways.
Side Effects & Safety
Generally well-tolerated in trials up to 1250 mg. Mild nausea or flushing reported. Long-term human safety data still limited. Theoretical oncology concerns debated.
Do not use / talk to a doctor first
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding - no adequate human safety data
- Active cancer, or a history of it, without oncological advice - NAD+ metabolism is implicated in cell proliferation and the question is genuinely unresolved
Interactions
No established drug interactions
No interaction profile has been established in humans. Because NMN is not marketed under approved drug labelling anywhere, there is no regulator-reviewed interaction list to consult
Source: no approved labelling exists
Pregnancy & breastfeeding
No adequate human safety data. Not recommended in pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
Who should avoid / see a doctor
Know the regulatory position before you buy. In October and November 2022 the FDA notified manufacturers that NMN is EXCLUDED from the statutory definition of a dietary supplement under 21 U.S.C. 321(ff)(3)(B)(ii), because it had been authorised for investigation as a new drug. That determination is contested - the Natural Products Association and Alliance for Natural Health USA filed a citizen petition asking the FDA to revoke it, amended in December 2024 and still pending - and NMN remains widely sold. What follows practically is that US manufacturing and labelling oversight is unsettled rather than routine, so product quality varies more than the price suggests. Long-term human safety data is limited regardless of how that petition is resolved.
Synergies
Used in These Stacks
See NMN (Nicotinamide Mononucleotide) inside a full protocol — the stack pages cover when and why to combine it.
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References
- 1.US FDA citizen petition docket FDA-2023-P-0872, regulations.gov — FDA determined NMN is excluded from the definition of a dietary supplement under 21 U.S.C. 321(ff)(3)(B)(ii); the Natural Products Association and Alliance for Natural Health USA petitioned the agency to revoke or amend that determination, amended December 2024. (regulatory docket - determination contested and unresolved)
