NAD+ Therapy

What Is NAD+?

NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) is a coenzyme found in every cell of your body. It plays a critical role in over 500 enzymatic reactions, including energy production, DNA repair, cellular signaling, and the regulation of your body’s stress response and circadian rhythm.

Most importantly for mental health, NAD+ is essential for healthy brain function. It supports the production and metabolism of key neurotransmitters—including serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine, and GABA—that directly influence mood, motivation, focus, and emotional regulation.

Why NAD+ Levels Matter for Mental Health

NAD+ levels naturally decline with age, with the most significant drop typically occurring in the 40s. But age isn’t the only factor. Chronic stress, poor sleep, substance use, and inflammation all accelerate NAD+ depletion—creating a cycle where the very conditions that affect your mental health also degrade your body’s ability to recover from them.

When NAD+ levels are low, your brain has less fuel for the processes that keep you feeling clear, resilient, and emotionally balanced. Research has shown that reduced NAD+ levels in the prefrontal cortex are correlated with depression-like changes, and that restoring NAD+ can support the recovery of dopamine and norepinephrine pathways.

A note on the science. NAD+ therapy is an emerging area of integrative medicine with growing research support. While early-phase clinical trials confirm its safety and show promising results, NAD+ IV therapy has not been FDA-approved for any specific mental health condition. At Sentry, we offer NAD+ as a complementary treatment within a comprehensive, clinician-supervised care plan—not as a standalone cure.

How NAD+ Supports Brain Health

Neurotransmitter production — NAD+ is critical for the synthesis of serotonin, dopamine, and other neurotransmitters that regulate mood and motivation.
Neuroplasticity — NAD+ supports BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor) expression, which helps your brain form new connections and adapt to change.
Mitochondrial function — Your brain consumes roughly 20% of your body’s energy. NAD+ is essential for mitochondrial energy production, supporting cognitive clarity and reducing brain fog.
Neuroprotection — NAD+ helps reduce oxidative stress and neuroinflammation—two factors increasingly linked to depression, anxiety, and cognitive decline.
Cellular repair — NAD+ activates sirtuins, a family of proteins involved in DNA repair, stress resistance, and healthy aging.

Who May Benefit from NAD+ Therapy?

Individuals experiencing persistent brain fog, fatigue, or low motivation
People recovering from chronic stress or burnout
Adults noticing age-related cognitive changes
Patients seeking complementary support for depression or anxiety alongside psychiatric treatment
Individuals in recovery from substance use

What to Expect During Treatment

NAD+ is delivered intravenously to ensure maximum absorption—bypassing the digestive system where oral supplements lose much of their potency.

Session duration — NAD+ infusions typically last 2–4 hours, depending on the dose and protocol.
Initial loading phase — Most patients begin with a series of 4–6 sessions over 1–2 weeks to build cellular NAD+ stores.
Maintenance — After the initial phase, monthly maintenance infusions help sustain benefits over time.
Preparation — We recommend fasting 4–6 hours before your session for optimal comfort. Light snacks are available during treatment.
Side effects — Some patients experience mild, temporary effects such as flushing, chest tightness, or nausea during the infusion. These are rate-dependent and typically resolve by slowing the drip rate.

NAD+ at Sentry: A Mental Health–First Approach

At many clinics, NAD+ is offered as a standalone wellness service. At Sentry, we take a different approach. NAD+ therapy is integrated into your broader mental health plan, supervised by psychiatric providers who understand how cellular health connects to mood, cognition, and emotional resilience.