NAD Therapy
NAD Therapy
A significant number of American adults struggle with substance abuse issues. One source puts the number at 15 percent, with adults in the U.S. dealing with alcohol, drugs, or some other substance. Drug and alcohol misuse and addiction can alter how the brain works, which makes it harder to quit using the substance even when you are highly motivated. Call us to learn more about customized treatment approaches designed to fit a variety of individual needs, including NAD therapy. NAD therapy is a revolutionary IV treatment that harnesses naturally occurring coenzymes to help you detoxify and heal.
What is NAD?
NAD refers to nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, a coenzyme of niacin. It is present in all living cells and essential to healthy metabolic function. NAD helps your body transform nutrients into energy, affects how your cells react to stress, and promotes certain chemical reactions within each cell.
Your body naturally produces NAD and directs it to various body processes depending on where it is most needed. However, as with other nutrients, the amount of NAD in your body is not constant at all times and can decrease with age. Other factors can also cause decreasing NAD levels, including:
- High blood glucose and insulin levels
- DNA damage
- Autoimmune disorders
- Alcohol and substance abuse
A healthy lifestyle that includes regular exercise and a balanced diet that is low in processed carbohydrates can help boost NAD levels somewhat, but it might not be enough to counteract severely depleted NAD levels. This is especially true during the detoxification process, which can be particularly stressful both physically and emotionally.
What is NAD Therapy?
As the name suggests, NAD therapy is a therapeutic technique in which NAD is administered to support overall health. In most cases, this is done via an intravenous or IV infusion. Depending on your needs, you may receive one or several infusions, each of which can last an hour or more. NAD can also be administered via a capsule or pill and can be compounded with other supplements, including vitamins or amino acids.
The idea behind NAD therapy is to restore healthy NAD levels in those who are aging or have depleted NAD levels for other reasons. Candidates for NAD therapy may include people suffering from:
- Post-covid syndrome
- Chronic fatigue syndrome
- High blood pressure
- Heart failure
NAD therapy is also commonly used in people detoxifying from substance abuse disorders.
Research indicates that NAD therapy can help alleviate the biochemical processes associated with addiction. Using NAD therapy during the detoxification process can help reduce cravings, soothe withdrawal symptoms, and support sobriety while promoting overall health.
Is NAD Therapy Effective?
Research shows that NAD levels influence several aspects of the brain and behavior, including anxiety and depression. They also are linked to the part of the brain linked to addiction: the reward center. Substance abuse and substance use disorders have previously been linked to oxidative stress, altered sleeping habits, inflammation, and impaired metabolism. Therefore, the interrelated functions between NAD and its processes can affect addiction and its neurobiology in a variety of ways.
While the jury is still out on how NAD can support people most effectively, there is evidence that it is beneficial for people with substance use disorders. In studies involving NAD therapy and those with alcohol abuse or opioid addiction, NAD IV infusions were administered regularly to support detoxification and reduce withdrawal symptoms. Later studies combined NAD therapy with amino acids and vitamins to create more targeted therapies designed to address cravings, anxiety, and stress.
Currently, NAD is classified as a supplement rather than a medication, which means that it is available without a prescription.
What to Expect during Therapy
During NAD Therapy, you will have an IV placed through which the co-enzyme is dripped into your bloodstream gradually. This allows the treatment to bypass the stomach and travel directly into the bloodstream where it is needed to boost awareness, mood, and energy naturally and without drugs.
Because NAD is not considered a drug or medication but rather a supplement, it can be administered without a doctor’s prescription. However, this also means that insurance might not cover the process.
For most people, NAD therapy is considered safe, but some people may experience mild side effects during or after infusions. These can include:
- Redness, tenderness, or swelling at the injection site
- Bruising at the injection site
- Cramping
- Nausea
- Brain fog
Infection and phlebitis at the injection site can also occur but are rare.
If you experience side effects during your infusion, the IV drip can be adjusted to a slower rate, decreasing or eliminating your side effects.
When a medical professional dosed, administered, and monitored NAD therapy, the overall risks are generally low.
The Benefits of NAD Therapy
NAD therapy can offer several significant benefits beyond combating cravings and easing withdrawal symptoms for those recovering from substance abuse and addiction.
Drugs and alcohol can significantly deplete your natural supply of NAD. NAD infusions replenish this supply, which then supports your body’s energy levels without leaving you craving caffeine or other substances. NAD can also help detoxify, flushing out any remaining substances or drugs in your body, which can further reduce symptoms and help you get on the road to sobriety even faster.
Withdrawal symptoms can be a major hurdle to sobriety for many people struggling with substance abuse and addiction. These symptoms can include headache, irritability, anxiety, nausea, vomiting, and seizures. During the process, medical supervision and proper treatment, including NAD therapy, can significantly reduce the risk of withdrawal symptoms. This can then translate to a decreased risk of relapse and an increased ability to focus on therapy and healing for long-term success.
Finally, NAD therapy can help you experience a more natural detoxification experience. Many people who are withdrawing from opioids or other drugs have the option to use certain medications during their treatment. These medications can ease their symptoms but are not without risk. NAD therapy uses a naturally occurring coenzyme that eases withdrawal symptoms without the risk of new addiction or dependence and reduces the need for additional narcotic medications as you detoxify. It can help reduce cravings, which could increase your odds of success.
Is NAD Therapy Right for You?
Drugs, alcohol, and other substances can deplete your body’s natural stores of NAD while infusions can replenish and restore them to healthy levels. NAD therapy can make the withdrawal process easier by curbing cravings, stimulating your energy, and boosting your mood.
It goes a step further than that, however. The naturally occurring coenzyme is essential for cellular health, converting the food you eat into fuel for your body. Without NAD, your body and brain become quickly deprived of energy and unable to repair DNA and cells. An IV treatment can restore your natural NAD levels and help you feel better almost immediately.
This is especially important for those who are overcoming substance abuse and addiction disorders, which can deplete your NAD levels. Daily or weekly infusions can help you get back to where you need to be.
NAD therapy is likely to be most effective when used as part of a multi-pronged approach that includes therapy and other targeted treatments that address your individual needs, risk factors, and concerns. It is not necessarily designed as a standalone therapy for substance use disorder but can be a powerful support when used in conjunction with other therapies.
Substance use and addiction can take a heavy toll on your body, but healing could be a phone call away. At Every1 Center, we can help you get back on the road to health and sobriety and embrace your new life. Contact us today to learn more.
