I'll have what she's having. (NAD+ IV drips)
Last week, I found myself lying in a reclining chair, arm outstretched, watching a slow drip of NAD+ flow into my bloodstream. As co-host of the Modern Wellness Podcast, I’m often invited to trial and test the latest wellness tools, trends and techniques. So let’s call this ‘research’.
If you haven’t heard of NAD+ yet, don’t worry, you will. It’s one of those treatments that’s been around for a while but has recently become the most popular girl at school. NAD+ is now on the menu at top wellness clinics and medical longevity programmes.
So, let’s rewind
What is NAD+, and Why Are People Queuing Up to Get It?
NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) is a coenzyme that exists in every cell of your body. It plays a key role in energy production, DNA repair, and cell regeneration. As we age, our NAD+ levels decline, which is why it’s being positioned as the elixir of youth, boosting energy, improving brain function, supporting recovery and slowing the ageing process.
IV therapy delivers NAD+ directly into your bloodstream, bypassing the digestive system. The idea? More efficient absorption and faster results.
Depending on who you ask, NAD+ is either the holy grail of cellular health or just the latest attempt to ‘optimise everything’. It’s also worth noting that each treatment takes around 2 hours and costs between £600-£800.
So… does it work?
Here’s the honest answer: it depends.
Some people report a noticeable boost in energy, sharper focus, better sleep, faster recovery after workouts etc. Others? Not so much. In my case, I left the clinic feeling great and I woke up the next day feeling ready to take on a marathon! But was it the NAD+? or was it two hours away from my inbox or even the placebo effect?
That’s the thing with wellness treatments, especially the advanced, cellular-level kind. The benefits are often cumulative, not instant. Plus it depends how you felt before going into the treatment. If you’ve been mega busy, stressed out and sleep deprived, then you’re probably going to notice a shift the minute you walk into a clinic, sit down next to a big green plant, and breathe.
NAD+ isn’t the only thing on offer. IV therapy menus now read like high-end juice bars. What’s on offer?
Vitamin B12: for energy and mood
Vitamin C: for immunity and glowing skin
Glutathione: for detox and cellular repair
Hydration cocktail: for hangover recovery
And while they all sound appealing, the real question is: do you really need it?
If you’re not low in vitamin C, you’re unlikely to benefit from a vitamin C drip (just expensive pee, really).
The Modern Wellness Dilemma: What’s Trending vs What’s Useful
Every week brings a new wellness trend and must-have treatment. You can now book an NAD+ infusion, do cryotherapy during your lunch break, and get personalised peptides delivered to your door. But instead of randomly trying the next thing that’s trending online, start off by asking; Have I got the basics covered? i.e sleep, hydration, nutrition, and movement.
Final Thoughts from the Chair
Will I do NAD+ again? Yes. I’m curious, and I want to see how I feel after six months of consistent treatments. I’m not expecting miracles, but I am interested in anything that can support my energy, focus and recovery as I age.
For me, this comes second to the foundations I already rely on, eating nourishing food, moving my body, getting enough sleep, and limiting alcohol to one night a week. (That last one is tough!) So this isn’t a shortcut, it’s just another tool I’m testing as part of a bigger, long-term approach to being well.
Because that’s modern wellness: a mix of science, conventional wisdom, and a bit of self-experimentation.
Thanks for reading!