There’s no single agreed-upon dose for boosting NAD+ levels, because the answer depends on which form you’re taking. NAD+ itself is a molecule your body makes naturally, and you can raise its levels through oral precursors like nicotinamide riboside (NR) or nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN), or through IV infusions of NAD+ directly. Each route uses a different dosage range, and the research behind them varies in strength.
Oral Precursors: NR and NMN Dosages
Most people looking to raise their NAD+ levels start with an oral precursor, a supplement your body converts into NAD+ after you swallow it. The two most popular options are nicotinamide riboside (NR) and nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN).
NR has the most clinical trial data behind it. Human studies have used doses ranging from 250 mg to 2,000 mg per day. A randomized controlled trial published in The Lancet’s eClinicalMedicine used 2,000 mg per day (split into two doses of 1,000 mg) for 10 weeks and confirmed it effectively raised NAD+ levels. However, many earlier studies used lower doses in the 250 to 1,000 mg per day range and still saw measurable increases. Most standalone NR supplements on the market contain 300 mg per capsule, and manufacturers typically suggest one or two capsules daily.
NMN dosing in human trials has generally ranged from 250 mg to 1,250 mg per day. It’s worth noting that NMN had a complicated regulatory history in the U.S. The FDA previously excluded it from the dietary supplement category, but in September 2025, the agency reversed that decision and determined NMN is not excluded from the supplement definition. This means NMN is now legally sold as a dietary supplement in the United States.
For either precursor, most people start at the lower end, around 250 to 500 mg per day, and some increase over time. Taking your dose in the morning is a common practice, since NAD+ plays a role in energy metabolism and circadian rhythm.
IV NAD+ Infusion Dosages
IV infusions deliver NAD+ directly into your bloodstream, bypassing the digestive system entirely. Doses per session typically range from 100 mg to 1,000 mg. If you’ve never had an infusion before, clinics usually start you at 100 to 200 mg to see how you tolerate it, then increase to 500 mg or more in later sessions.
IV protocols generally follow a two-phase structure. The first phase is a loading period lasting about six weeks, where you receive more frequent sessions to build up your levels. A common recommendation is three to five sessions spread over two to three weeks, or at minimum one session per week for the first six weeks, with the dose gradually increasing at each visit. After that, you shift to maintenance, which could mean anywhere from weekly to monthly sessions at 500 to 1,000 mg per infusion. Some people do 500 mg weekly, others prefer 1,000 mg every two weeks.
IV infusions are significantly more expensive than oral supplements, often costing several hundred dollars per session, and are administered at specialized clinics rather than at home.
Oral vs. IV: What Actually Reaches Your Cells
The reason these dosage numbers look so different across forms is bioavailability. When you swallow NR or NMN, your gut and liver process it before it reaches the rest of your body. Only a fraction of the original dose ends up as usable NAD+. That’s why oral doses are higher in milligrams but still produce modest increases in blood NAD+ levels.
IV infusions skip that first-pass metabolism entirely, which is why a 250 mg IV dose delivers more NAD+ to your bloodstream than a 250 mg oral tablet. But “more gets into your blood” doesn’t automatically mean better health outcomes. The clinical evidence for health benefits is still limited for both routes, and most of the well-controlled human trials have used oral precursors rather than IV infusions.
Factors That Affect Your Ideal Dose
Age is the biggest variable. NAD+ levels decline steadily as you get older, dropping by roughly 50% between your 40s and 60s in some tissue measurements. Older adults may benefit from doses at the higher end of studied ranges, while someone in their 30s taking NAD+ precursors for general wellness might see results at lower doses.
Body weight matters too. Larger individuals may need more to achieve the same blood concentration. Some researchers have used weight-based dosing in trials, but most commercial supplements use a flat dose regardless of body size.
Your reason for supplementing also plays a role. Someone dealing with significant fatigue or age-related decline might start at a higher dose than someone simply trying to maintain their current levels. The clinical trials that have shown measurable NAD+ increases have generally used at least 500 mg per day of NR or NMN, so that’s a reasonable baseline if raising NAD+ is your primary goal.
Side Effects and Tolerability
Oral NAD+ precursors are generally well tolerated in clinical trials, even at doses up to 2,000 mg per day. The most commonly reported side effects are mild: nausea, flushing, headaches, and digestive discomfort. These tend to be more common at higher doses and often resolve within the first week or two.
IV infusions can cause chest tightness, nausea, and cramping during the session itself, especially at higher doses or faster drip rates. Clinics typically slow the infusion if you experience discomfort. Sessions can last anywhere from one to four hours depending on the dose.
Starting at a lower dose and increasing gradually over a few weeks is the most practical approach regardless of which form you choose. This lets you identify your personal tolerance before committing to a higher daily amount.