Table of Contents
NADH (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide + Hydrogen, or coenzyme 1) is the active coenzyme form of Vitamin B3 (niacin). Every cell in your body contains NADH.
NADH is the primary carrier of electrons in the transfer of food from your diet into energy. This energy is stored as adenosine triphosphate (ATP). ATP is produced in your mitochondria and your main energy supply for each of your cells. Not enough NADH leads to ATP depletion, which can eventually lead to cell death.[i]
Studies have shown that supplementing with NADH improves cognitive function, enhances cellular energy, increases endurance, switches ‘off’ aging genes, and extends life span.
NADH helps:
- Protect brain cells. NADH repairs cell and DNA damage. And stimulates your immune system. NADH boosts the production of Nitric Oxide (NO) which relaxes blood vessels in your brain increasing cerebral blood flow. And NADH acts as an antioxidant helping to eliminate free radicals that can damage brain cells.[ii]
- Brain energy. NADH provides electrons for ATP synthesis in your mitochondria. Low levels of NADH result in brain fog, slow mental processing, and cognitive decline.
- Neurotransmitters. NADH affects cognitive function by stimulating the production of dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin.[iii] These neurotransmitters are involved in learning and memory, cognition, recall and mood.
Overview
NADH (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide + Hydrogen) is the active coenzyme form of Vitamin B3 (niacin). Discovered early in the 1900’s, it’s also known as Coenzyme 1.
NADH is found in, and critical for the health of every cell in your body. NADH is the reduced form of NAD+(Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide), making it the “active” form which can donate electrons.
NADH is the primary carrier of electrons from glucose and lactate for ATP synthesis. ATP is the cell fuel source produced within mitochondria. The power supply in each of your brain cells. So you need NADH to transfer the energy from the food you eat into a type of energy your body can use.
You get small amounts of NADH by eating meat, poultry and fish. Vegetables have very low concentrations of NADH. So vegetarians are typically low in NADH. And since NADH is very unstable, much of it is lost through cooking.
When you supplement with NADH, cerebral electrical activity increases in areas of your brain used for attention, cognition, focus, memory, concentration, and decision making.
How does NADH work in the brain?
NADH boosts brain health in several ways. But two in particular stand out.
- NADH increases the production ATP. NADH carries the electrons needed for the synthesis of ATP. Your brain cell mitochondria depend on NADH for ATP synthesis to function and stay healthy.
By providing the means for ATP synthesis, NADH is involved in cognition, focus, concentration, memory, and processing speed.[iv] And NADH plays an important role in mediating brain aging and tissue damage. Even decreasing the damage done by strokes.[v]
In one double-blind, placebo-controlled study researchers did a 3-month trial with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome patients. 86 patients were chosen to receive either 20 mg of NADH daily or a placebo for the first 2-months. Mean age of the participants was 47 years.
The study measured the intensity of fatigue, functional performance, mood state, functional impact of fatigue, quality of life, sleep quality, and exercise capacity. Each was measured prior to the study. And then at 30, 60 and 90 days of treatment.
The study found that oral administration of NADH resulted in decreased anxiety and maximum heart rate.[vi]
- NADH increases neurotransmitters. NADH is directly involved in the production of the critical neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine.
Dopamine is usually made inside the neurons that use it. The amino acid tyrosine is first converted to L-DOPA through the enzyme tyrosine hydroxylase. L-DOPA is then converted to dopamine.
Research shows that tyrosine hydroxylase is the rate-limiting controller of dopamine synthesis. This is seen in Parkinson’s patients where tyrosine hydroxylase is much lower than in healthy people.
To complicate things even more, we need to understand what makes tyrosine hydroxylase work. The coenzyme that activates tyrosine hydroxylase is tetrahydrobiopterin (H4BP). And it’s NADH that activates this enzyme, and helps produce H4BP.
Researchers in Austria conducted an open label trial with 885 Parkinson’s patients. The study was conducted to try a therapy that might increase the brain’s own dopamine production instead of directly giving the patents L-DOPA.
In this study, 415 patients received intravenous (IV) NADH and 470 patients got an oral dose of NADH. Both groups showed overall good response to treatment including improvements in motor function, walking, pushing, posture and speech. They also experienced improvements in cognition and mood.
The researchers found increased dopamine metabolites in the urine of the patients. Indicating that NADH induced an increase in dopamine production. Most of the Parkinson’s patients were able to reduce and even eliminate their other Parkinson medications.[vii]
How things go bad
As we get older, NADH levels decline. And no amount of healthy eating or exercise can stop this decline.
↓ Dopamine and norepinephrine levels decline
↓ Intra-cellular genome communications break down
↓ Energy levels decline
All of these age-related changes are contributing factors to the neurodegenerative diseases of aging, including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
But even if things haven’t degenerated to such a debilitating level, NADH can help. In fact, it’s required for dopamine synthesis.
NADH benefits
Research has shown that people with low NADH levels are far more vulnerable to addiction, disease and other chronic conditions. Low NADH levels can happen at any age. Even at birth.
In our Western society, NADH is lost in cooking and food processing. And what little remains is broken down by stomach acid and degraded before it’s absorbed in your digestive tract.
When you take NADH as a supplement, your cells think oxygen levels are normal and start working as if they were younger, undamaged cells.
Research from hundreds of studies have shown that NADH will:
- Boost energy levels and stamina
- Reduce fatigue
- Reduce the possibility of age-related diseases
- Lower blood pressure
- Provide protection and energy to your brain
- Boost cerebral blood flow
How does NADH feel?
Using NADH as a nootropic can boost ATP synthesis in your brain. And increase the production of the neurotransmitters dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin.
You should experience a boost in mental and physical energy levels, a better mood, improved cognition and alertness.
NADH even helps relieve symptoms related to jet lag. And has been shown to alleviate the symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome including less brain fog, improved mood and energy, and better cognition.
And neurohackers report more endurance during workouts and running.
NADH Clinical Research
NADH helps reduce Jet Lag
Current remedies for jet lag don’t work very well. Chronic commuters have resorted to melatonin, stimulants, sedatives and phototherapy. And all have produced dismal results in recovering from jet lag.
NASA investigated the efficacy of using NADH as a countermeasure for jet lag. NADH increases cellular production of ATP and facilitates dopamine synthesis. So the thinking was NADH could counteract the effects of jet lag on cognitive function and sleepiness.
35 healthy frequent travelers were recruited in this double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Testing was conducted on the West Coast before subjects flew overnight to the East Coast.
Subjects were given either 20 mg of sublingual NADH, or a placebo. All underwent testing to assess cognitive function, mood, and sleepiness in the morning and afternoon the day after the red-eye flight.
Jet lag resulted in sleepiness for half the participants, and a third of them experienced deterioration of cognitive function. The morning following the flight, subjects experienced lapses of attention, disruptions to working memory, divided attention and visual perceptual speed.
Those who received NADH performed significantly better on cognitive and motor tests, showed better performance on other measures, and reported less sleepiness than those who took a placebo.
NASA concluded that, “Stabilized NADH significantly reduced jet lag-induced disruptions of cognitive functioning, was easily administered, and was found to have no adverse side effects”.[viii]
NADH regenerates stem cells in the brain
Researcher Hongbo Zhang wanted to understand how the regeneration process deteriorated with age. So he teamed up with colleagues from ETH Zurich, the University of Zurich and universities in Canada and Brazil.
Under normal conditions, stem cells react to signals sent by your body, and regenerate damaged organs by producing new specific cells. Fatigue in stem cells is one of the main causes of poor regeneration. Resulting in degeneration in tissues, organs and the brain.
The research team set out to revitalize stem cells in the muscles of elderly mice. They gave nicotinamide riboside to 2-year-old mice (which is considered “old” for a mouse). Nicotinamide riboside is a precursor to NADH.
The results showed muscular regeneration was much better in mice that received nicotinamide riboside. They lived longer than the mice that didn’t get it.
Parallel studies have revealed a comparable effect on stem cells of the brain and skin. This work on the aging process has potential for treating diseases that can affect, and be fatal even in young people, with illnesses like muscular dystrophy.
No negative side effects were observed in any of the studies following use of nicotinamide riboside, or stabilized NADH. It appears to boost the functioning of all cells. Including cells that have been damaged.[ix]
NADH decreases anxiety
Studies show that NADH may be low in those suffering chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). So researchers in Spain set out to evaluate the efficacy of supplementing NADH in those with CFS.
The research team recruited 86 CFS patients with a mean age of 47 years to take part in a 3-month double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. The patients were given 20 mg of NADH or a placebo for 2 months.
The team found that those using NADH experienced a significant decrease in anxiety symptoms. And maximum heart rate dropped.[x]
NADH reduces symptoms of Chronic Fatigue
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) has baffled researchers and the medical community for years. Its cause is unknown, and it’s associated with a myriad of symptoms.
But the main common denominator in all Chronic Fatigue cases is severe fatigue. And no therapeutic regimen has proven effective for this condition.
In this study, 31 patients fulfilling the criteria for CFS were selected to participate. They were given NADH or other nutritional supplements for 24 months.
The 12 patients who received NADH had a dramatic and statistically significant reduction of chronic fatigue symptoms.[xi]
NADH Recommended Dosage
NADH is a coenzyme, antioxidant form of Vitamin B3 (niacin). It’s a naturally occurring enzyme found in all living cells. And necessary for cellular ATP synthesis and energy production.
NADH is available in tablet form as 5, 10 and 20 mg tablets. It’s faster-acting if you can find sublingual tablets.
If you’re looking to boost dopamine, stack your NADH with L-Tyrosine. Because NADH converts tyrosine to dopamine.
NADH Side Effects
Your body naturally produces NADH. So it’s non-toxic and very well tolerated. NADH should not produce side effects.
Types of NADH to buy
NADH is highly unstable and for it to remain effective needs to be in a stabilized form.
Most neurohackers recommend the patented, stabilized form of NADH that’s made by a German company called ENADA. A couple of major supplement manufacturers license the ENADA brand of NADH. Check the label.
Nootropics Expert Recommendation
NADH 10 mg per pay
I recommend using NADH as a nootropic supplement.
Your body does make some NADH on its own. And from eating meat, poultry and fish. But studies have shown we don’t get an adequate supply of NADH from food sources because most of it is lost in cooking.
NADH is particularly helpful for vegetarians because very little NADH is available from vegetables.
NADH is especially helpful for those suffering Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
We suggest starting with a dose of 10 mg daily. And NADH is a great compliment to a stack with any nootropic. Do your best to find a stabilized form of NADH like the patented ENADA.
For a more effective dopamine boost, stack your NADH with L-Tyrosine. NADH converts tyrosine to dopamine.
You need to provide the mitochondria in your brain with the nutrients required to make ATP which is your main source of cellular energy. Or neurons start to break down from the inside. NADH carries the electrons needed for the synthesis of ATP. Signs that your lacking adequate NADH is brain fog, slow thinking, fatigue and low endurance.
Some clinics in the USA and other countries are using NADH or NAD+ therapy as a treatment for addiction, anxiety, depression, chronic stress and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Intravenous (IV) NADH has been used effectively since the 1960’s for detoxing patients from alcohol, opiates, tranquilizers and stimulants.[xii]
Join The Discussion - 95 comments
Brad
July 24, 2020
As you have stated, its not all that clear. If I just take plain ole Naicin (B3) am I getting benefits? I take Swanson subingual NADH 20mg each morning, before eating but after coffee.. Is it ENADA? Can’t say that I feel an immediate reaction.
David Tomen
July 26, 2020
Brad, Niacin as a precursor to NAD and NADH. And our bodies take care of this extremely complex process. Some better than others depending on a variety of factors. Some of which are out of our control.
This is why some conditions are better treated by using the reduced form of NADH. You’ll only ‘feel’ it if you’re genuinely low in NADH. The German company ENADA produces a patented, stabilized form of this supplement and licenses it to other dietary supplement manufacturers. It’ll be stated on the label if your NADH supplement uses that form.
Amy Lo
April 6, 2021
Hi David, I have Parkinson’s. I need to take my medications on an empty stomach. I want to try NADH but I heard it has to be taken on an empty stomach. I now take my Parkinson‘s medication first & 1 hour later I take NADH on an empty stomach. Is this ok? Or I take them vice versa.
Many thanks!
Amy
David Tomen
April 6, 2021
Amy, NADH is involved in the synthesis of dopamine and your Parkinson’s meds likely are involved in producing dopamine as well. You should not have any problem taking them together to get their benefit.
Tanumoura
February 4, 2020
Hi David
Can I use, per day, NADH (20mg) with Mind Lab Pro , Curcumine (950mg ) , ALA (600mg) and ACoQ10 (60mg)?
Wath do you recommand to use with MindLab Pro for Motiviation, Memory and Focus?
Many Thanks
Tanumoura
David Tomen
February 5, 2020
Tanumoura, everything I know about how motivation works is here: https://nootropicsexpert.com/hacking-motivation-with-nootropics/. First, learn how motivation works then choose a couple of nootropics you’re not yet using and add them to your stack.
And everything I know about memory and focus and is here: https://nootropicsexpert.com/how-to-improve-memory-and-concentration/. You’re already doing some of what is recommended in that post. I’d check the ingredients of Mind Lab Pro and compare them to the two sections of that post. Then possibly increase a couple of those ingredients to separate higher doses.
I also recommend for higher doses like ALA 600 mg that you split it into 2 doses of 300 mg each. Once in the morning and then again at noon.
Hip
January 20, 2020
Why do the mood and concentration boosting effects of NADH stop appearing after a few weeks?
I’ve heard a number of times from different people that the mood-boosting and mental concentration-boosting effects of the supplement NADH (reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) starts to wear off after a few weeks of continuous daily use of NADH at normal dose levels (typical daily dose is 5 mg sublingual). I’ve also experienced this loss of effect myself.
Why does this loss of efficacy manifest after some weeks? If we can find the mechanism for this loss of effect, it may be possible to counter it.
I saw in one online post a suggestion that the loss of efficacy arises from the alteration in the NAD+/NADH ratio; but I’ve found nothing which corroborates this idea.
NADH improves mood and cognitive function by stimulating the synthesis of dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin. So it could be something related to these three neurotransmitters that results in the loss of effect.
David Tomen
January 21, 2020
Hip. NADH is involved in the synthesis of these neurotransmitters but not in isolation. How NADH is involved is explained in the section “How does NADH work in the brain?” and under #2.
There are rate-limiting controllers, other enzymes, and likely precursors involved in dopamine and norepinephrine synthesis. When we boost NADH with a supplement we’re not doing anything to support the production of these other factors. But unless you’re a neuroscientist with an advanced degree in catecholamines it would be difficult to figure out what’s needed.
Might want to start with a high quality bio-identical multivitamin/mineral supplement and L-Tyrosine and see if that helps.
Adam
October 27, 2019
Hey David,
Would NADH do anything positive for a 23 year old male with ADHD? Anything negative? Or is it just completely unnecessary at this age?
Thanks,
Adam
David Tomen
October 29, 2019
Adam, you may experience some benefit. You get small amounts of NADH by eating meat, poultry and fish. Vegetables have very low concentrations of NADH. So vegetarians are typically low in NADH. And since NADH is very unstable, much of it is lost through cooking.
So you could be low in NADH at any age. There are no known side effects from this nootropic.
Brandon White
October 7, 2019
Hello.
Great article as always with this website! I do have a question, I recently looked into NADH or NAD+. I decided to go with a NAD+ nasal spray and just received it today. What dosage would you recommend for someone who has been prescribed Adderall since childhood? I am hoping it helps me reduce the dosage needed. Is the NAD+ nasal spray the preferred method or is under the tongue better? Thank you in advance.
David Tomen
October 8, 2019
Brandon, a nasal spray or sublingual are both superior forms when it comes to bioavailability. It goes straight into your blood stream without needed to be digested. And NADH is involved with the synthesis of dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin. Which are all implicated in ADD and ADHD.
But I think you can do much more to support Adderall usage than just with NAD+. Please go to this post on ADD/ADHD to see what I mean: https://nootropicsexpert.com/best-nootropics-for-adhd-add/
Brandon White
October 9, 2019
What would be the best dosage for the nasal NAD+?
David Tomen
October 9, 2019
Brandon, as far as I can tell the few nasal NAD+ supplements on the market have around 125 mg per day. I don’t think anyone knows the best dosage. But some naturopaths suggest keeping your dosage below 600 mg per day.
Brandon white
October 22, 2019
Is there any benefit to supplementing NADH and NAD+ at the same time? From what I’ve read, they are similar chemicals yet yield different effects.
David Tomen
October 23, 2019
Brandon, all the latest research shows about the best we can do is supplement with nicotinamide riboside (250 mg or 500 mg) and pterostilbene (a SIRT activator; 50 mg or 100 mg). And that stack is a safe and effective way to increase NAD+ over the long-term: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29184669. After that it’s up to our body to optimize the NAD+/NADH ratio.
Thomas
September 13, 2019
Hi David,
Can I use NADH with Piracetam and Choline?
Regards
David Tomen
September 13, 2019
Yes
Stephen
September 15, 2019
Hello,
Wondering why Nadh is giving my slight headaches. Been taking it for a few weeks for chronic fatigue. Any thoughts?
David Tomen
September 16, 2019
Stephen, see the second bullet in this section about dopamine: https://nootropicsexpert.com/nadh/#how-does-nadh-work-in-the-brain.
If could be that you need to add L-Tyrosine or a B-Complex or both to produce dopamine. You could try that and see if your headaches and chronic fatigue go away.
gaia
September 1, 2019
NALT gives me anxiety & migraine. Should I avoid NADH?
Thanks!
David Tomen
September 2, 2019
Gaia, NADH is directly involved in the production of dopamine and norepinephrine. If you are already high in these neurotransmitters then boosting them more can result in anxiety and migraines. In your case it sounds like it’s best to avoid NADH.
Dominique
May 2, 2019
Hi !
Would Source Naturals be a licenced ENADA supplier of NADH? It puts the ENADA registered logo on its bottle but I am a bit paranoid about low quality pills…
It sells on French Amazon…
Thank you for your answer, best regards.
David Tomen
May 2, 2019
Dominique, Source Naturals is a licensed provider of ENADA® and why it’s on their label. Just make sure you are buying directly from Source Naturals or one of their official vendors on Amazon. Because fake or counterfeit supplements is an ongoing problem worldwide.