Why Your NAD+ Should Be Taken Nasally for Optimal Results
By Nayan Patel, PharmD—a pharmacist, wellness expert, and the CEO and founder of Auro Wellness.
NAD+, known in the medical circles as nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, is one of the body’s most indispensable molecules. It powers how our cells create energy, helps repair DNA, and supports resilience against everyday stress. In many ways, NAD+ works behind the scenes to preserve cellular efficiency, supporting the body’s energy and overall resilience. From a vanity standpoint, that means: all in all, it makes us look younger, and keeps us looking younger.
When we talk about healthy aging, few molecules carry as much weight as NAD+. Yet, as we grow older, NAD+ levels steadily decline by as much as 50 percent in some tissues. That decline doesn’t just leave the body fatigued; it sets the stage for inflammation, cognitive decline, and chronic disease.
For years, the wellness industry has searched for ways to restore NAD+. Oral precursors like nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) and nicotinamide riboside (NR) have become popular, and intravenous NAD+ infusions are offered in clinics across the country. But both approaches have real limitations—and when it comes to NAD+ therapies, not all methods are created equal. Oral precursors can be helpful, but much of their benefit is filtered through digestion and metabolism before ever reaching sensitive organs like the brain. IV therapy works quickly, but it’s costly, and often cleared by the liver before enough NAD+ reaches target tissues. Oral capsules of NAD+ itself are poorly absorbed, and IV infusions, while effective in the short-term, are invasive. Nasal delivery stands out for being practical, research-backed, and accessible. For consumers, the key is to look for products with transparent science and delivery methods that ensure NAD+ actually reaches where it matters most.
Nasal delivery offers what I consider the most promising approach to at-home NAD+ replenishment today. The nasal cavity provides a direct pathway to the brain through olfactory and trigeminal nerve routes, bypassing the digestive system and even the blood–brain barrier (BBB). Preclinical studies have shown that intranasal NAD+ can penetrate brain tissue within minutes, enhancing neuronal energy, mitigating inflammation, and providing protection against damage from critical events like stroke or injury. In clinical settings, patients commonly report clearer cognition, better concentration, and higher energy levels, all achieved through a non-invasive, self-administered approach.
As research on longevity continues, one truth is clear: keeping NAD+ levels robust is central to staying healthy as we age. Nasal delivery offers a smarter, science-backed way to do just that, bringing the promise of cellular renewal into the hands of everyday people.