NAD+ injections are one of the most heavily advertised wellness services in the country, and much of what you read about them online is marketing rather than science. This article is deliberately different. It explains what NAD+ is, what an injection actually consists of, what the research supports, and — just as importantly — what it does not.
PassQual Health does offer NAD+ therapy and IV infusion services in Miami Gardens. You deserve an accurate picture before booking anything, here or anywhere else.
What NAD+ actually is
NAD+ stands for nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide. It is a coenzyme — a helper molecule that enzymes need in order to work — and it is present in every living cell. You do not have to buy it: your body makes it, largely from niacin (vitamin B3) in food.
According to the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements, all tissues convert absorbed niacin into NAD, its main metabolically active form, and more than 400 enzymes require NAD to catalyze reactions — more than for any other vitamin-derived coenzyme. NAD participates in energy metabolism, genome maintenance, gene regulation and cell signaling.
That is a description of biochemistry, not a promise about a product. A molecule being important inside cells does not, by itself, establish that administering more of it by needle produces any particular result in any particular person. That gap — between what the molecule does and what an injection is claimed to do — is where most NAD+ advertising lives.
What an NAD+ injection or IV infusion is
“NAD+ therapy” covers two different things. An NAD+ injection is typically intramuscular or subcutaneous and takes a few minutes. An NAD+ IV infusion delivers the solution into a vein over a much longer session, often an hour or more.
In the United States, the NAD+ used for these services is a compounded preparation made by a compounding pharmacy, not a manufactured, approved drug. The FDA is explicit about what that means: compounded drugs are not FDA-approved, the agency does not verify their safety or effectiveness, and they lack an FDA finding of manufacturing quality before reaching patients. FDA has also reviewed NAD-related substances nominated for use in compounding and raised safety and evidence concerns.
Plainly: NAD+ therapy is not FDA-approved for the uses it is commonly marketed for, individual responses vary, and no outcome can be promised.
What the research does and does not show
Most foundational NAD+ work has been done in cells and animals. Human research exists but is early: studies have been small, short, and focused mainly on oral NAD+ precursors such as nicotinamide riboside and nicotinamide mononucleotide rather than on injected or infused NAD+ itself. Some show blood NAD levels can be raised. Whether that translates into a meaningful clinical result in healthy adults is a separate question, and it is not settled.
| Reasonably established | Not established |
|---|---|
| NAD is a coenzyme hundreds of enzymes require | That injected NAD+ produces specific outcomes |
| The body makes NAD from dietary niacin | That any advertised protocol is optimal or standardized |
| Research on NAD is active and ongoing | That cell and animal findings apply to people |
| Compounded NAD+ is not an FDA-approved drug | Long-term safety of repeated infusion in healthy adults |
You can browse registered NAD studies on ClinicalTrials.gov yourself, rather than taking any clinic’s word for it. “Research is ongoing” is honest. “Research proves it works” is not.
Why the advertising outruns the evidence
NAD+ is a competitive cash-pay service, and competition rewards bold promises. Our position is simple: we describe what the service is and what a visit involves, and we make no claims about what it will do for you. If a provider promises a specific result, ask what published evidence supports it.
What an NAD+ visit involves at PassQual Health
NAD+ therapy here is administered under physician supervision and only after a medical evaluation covering your history, current medications and relevant findings. Because our medical laboratory is on site, any testing your physician considers appropriate is usually handled in the same building.
NAD+ therapy is not appropriate for everyone. Part of the evaluation is deciding whether it is reasonable for you at all, and sometimes the answer is no. Our Founder and Medical Director, Dr. Hendry J. Perez Pascual, MD, oversees this service, and our team works in English and Spanish. Details are on our NAD+ therapy and IV infusion page.
Questions worth asking any clinic
- Will a physician evaluate me before anything is administered?
- Where is the NAD+ compounded, and by what kind of pharmacy?
- What are the known risks, and who should avoid this?
- What exactly are you claiming this does, and what supports it?
- Who monitors me during the session?
For how scheduling is decided, see our companion article on how often NAD+ therapy is given.
Sources
- NIH Office of Dietary Supplements — Niacin: Fact Sheet for Health Professionals
- FDA — Understanding the Risks of Compounded Drugs
- FDA — Certain Bulk Drug Substances for Use in Compounding That May Present Significant Safety Risks
- ClinicalTrials.gov — registered studies involving nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide
Talk to a physician first
This article is educational and is not medical advice. It is not a recommendation to receive NAD+ therapy and does not describe treatment for any disease or condition. Consult a physician about your own health before starting any therapy. To arrange an evaluation, call PassQual Health at 786-677-9922 or book an appointment. We are at 18706 NW 67th Ave, Miami Gardens, FL 33015, Mon-Sat.