Last updated 18 September 2026 · SARMs Store editorial team. Products on this site are supplied strictly for laboratory research and are not for human consumption. This guide summarises published research; it is not medical advice and contains no instructions for use. 18+ only.
NAD+ at a glance
| Class | Coenzyme (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide), not a peptide |
|---|---|
| Role | Electron carrier in cellular energy metabolism; substrate for sirtuins and PARPs |
| Highest evidence | Extensive mouse work; small human trials mostly of precursors (NMN, NR), not NAD+ itself |
| Studied for | Mitochondrial function, ageing models, DNA repair, metabolic health |
| Format | Lyophilised vial (500mg, 1000mg) |
| Storage | 2 to 8°C unopened, away from light and moisture |
| UK status 2026 | Research chemical in this format; not a licensed medicine; not on the WADA list |
What NAD+ is
Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, written NAD+, is a coenzyme found in every living cell. It shuttles electrons in the reactions that turn food into ATP, and it is the substrate that sirtuins and PARP enzymes consume when they regulate gene expression and repair DNA. It is not a peptide, although it is sold alongside peptides because the same research buyers ask for it. Its concentration in tissues falls with age in animals and, on the limited data available, in humans, which is why it has become a focus of ageing research.
What the research found
Mouse studies. The most cited work comes from David Sinclair's laboratory at Harvard and from Johan Auwerx's group at EPFL. Raising NAD+ levels in old mice, usually with the precursors nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) or nicotinamide riboside (NR), improved mitochondrial function, muscle endurance and insulin sensitivity in several studies published between 2013 and 2018. These are precursor studies; the mice were not given NAD+ directly.
Human trials. Small human trials of NR and NMN since 2016 have shown that oral precursors raise blood NAD+ reliably. Functional outcomes have been modest and inconsistent: some studies report small improvements in muscle insulin sensitivity or walking speed in older adults, others report no change. There is no large, long trial of any NAD+ raising strategy for ageing.
Direct NAD+. Intravenous NAD+ has been used in clinics for decades with almost no controlled data. Oral NAD+ is largely broken down in the gut before absorption, which is why the research literature uses precursors. The lyophilised vial sold for research is the intact coenzyme, and it is a different research question from the precursor supplements in the human trials.
What is missing. No published controlled human trial of injected NAD+ for any ageing or performance endpoint as of September 2026.
NAD+, NMN and NR: which is which
NAD+ is the coenzyme itself. NMN and NR are precursors the cell converts into NAD+. Most of the human evidence is for the precursors, most of the mechanistic evidence is for NAD+ levels regardless of how they were raised, and the intact coenzyme in a vial has the least direct evidence of the three. Buyers comparing products should ask which molecule each study used.
Stability, storage and handling
NAD+ is supplied lyophilised in a sealed vial. It is more stable than most peptides in dry form but degrades in solution, particularly when warm or exposed to light, so keep unopened vials refrigerated at 2 to 8 degrees Celsius and away from moisture. Purity by HPLC is the key certificate figure; identity is confirmed by mass spectrometry.
Legal status in the UK, 2026
NAD+ is not a controlled substance under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. In lyophilised vial form it is not a licensed medicine and cannot be sold or advertised for human use; it is supplied strictly for laboratory research. Precursor supplements such as NR are sold as food supplements under separate rules that do not apply to the research vial. NAD+ is not on the WADA Prohibited List.
What to check before buying
Milligrams per vial, HPLC purity, mass spectrometry identity, a batch number matching the certificate, and cold-chain shipping. Every Origin Peptides batch is independently tested and its certificate of analysis is published on the product page and the Lab Testing page.
Frequently asked questions
Is NAD+ a peptide?
No. It is a coenzyme, sold alongside peptides for convenience.
What is the difference between NAD+ and NMN?
NMN is a precursor the cell converts into NAD+. Most human trials used precursors, not NAD+ itself.
Has injected NAD+ been tested in a human trial?
Not in a published controlled trial as of 2026.
Is NAD+ legal in the UK?
Legal to buy and possess as a research compound; not lawful to sell or advertise for human consumption in this format; not banned in sport.
Key references
Yoshino J, Baur JA, Imai SI. NAD+ intermediates: the biology and therapeutic potential of NMN and NR. Cell Metabolism. 2018;27(3):513-528. Rajman L, Chwalek K, Sinclair DA. Therapeutic potential of NAD-boosting molecules: the in vivo evidence. Cell Metabolism. 2018;27(3):529-547. Martens CR, Denman BA, Mazzo MR, et al. Chronic nicotinamide riboside supplementation is well-tolerated and elevates NAD+ in healthy middle-aged and older adults. Nature Communications. 2018;9:1286.
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Research products: Origin Peptides NAD+ 500mg · NAD+ 1000mg · 5-Amino-1MQ · Full Origin Peptides range · Lab Testing