NAD+ is the longevity-oriented peptide that gets asked about more than any other at Privé. The Clarity Shot — our intramuscular NAD+ protocol — pairs with our IV therapy NAD+ formulation as two delivery formats of the same underlying molecule, both compounded under physician prescription. This piece walks through what NAD+ actually is, what it does (and doesn't do), how we choose between IV and IM, and who the protocol is right for.
The NAD+ conversation is the most-searched peptide topic in our consultation room. Some of that interest comes from genuine longevity research; some comes from celebrity wellness coverage; some comes from genuine clinical curiosity about cellular energy. We try to answer all of those questions honestly — what NAD+ is biologically, what the realistic expectations are for what it does, and how to think about whether the protocol fits a specific patient.
What NAD+ actually is
NAD+ stands for nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide. It is a coenzyme present in every cell in the body, central to mitochondrial energy production and several pathways involved in cellular repair, DNA maintenance, and circadian regulation. Without NAD+, cells cannot generate energy efficiently. NAD+ levels in the body decline measurably with age — this decline is one of the reasons NAD+ has become central to the longevity conversation.
NAD+ acts as an electron carrier in the cellular respiration process — it is part of how mitochondria convert nutrients into ATP, the body's energy currency. It is also a substrate for sirtuins (proteins involved in cellular aging regulation) and PARPs (proteins involved in DNA repair). The biology is well-established. The clinical question patients ask about most is whether restoring NAD+ levels through supplementation translates into the experiential outcomes — energy, clarity, recovery — that drew them to ask about it.
What patients actually report
Common patient-reported outcomes from NAD+ protocols include sustained mental clarity through the workday, energy for physical activity that previously felt taxing, faster recovery from physical and cognitive demands, and improved sleep quality. Some patients report meaningful results within the first few infusions or weeks of injections; others take longer; some don't notice substantial change. The variability is real and we are upfront about it.
We do not promise specific outcomes from NAD+ therapy. We discuss realistic expectations at consultation: this is a longevity-oriented protocol with individual variability in response, not a clinically standardized treatment with a guaranteed result. Patients who want certainty about outcomes are not the right fit for this category; patients who are interested in sustained cellular-energy support as part of a broader wellness plan often find the protocol meaningful.
The Clarity Shot vs IV NAD+ — how to choose
NAD+ at Privé comes in two formats, depending on patient preference and protocol design.
The Clarity Shot (intramuscular NAD+). A prescription-only compounded NAD+ peptide preparation administered as a small-volume IM injection. The advantages: short administration time (a few minutes), can be self-administered at home after instruction, smaller per-dose volume so easier to titrate, more frequent cadence (weekly or biweekly typical). Patients who value convenience, frequency, and home administration usually choose IM.
IV NAD+ therapy. Larger-volume infusion delivered over 45 to 90 minutes in our IV therapy setting. The advantages: larger single-session dose, no self-injection required, can be combined with other IV nutrients in a single visit. The trade-offs: longer time commitment, less convenient cadence, and the "NAD push" sensation (chest tightness or warmth during fast infusion, resolved by slowing the drip). Patients who prefer in-studio administration and a longer interval between sessions often choose IV.
Many patients combine the two over time — periodic IV sessions for higher-dose protocols, with IM Clarity Shots as the maintenance cadence between IV visits. The right combination is a consultation conversation.
Who NAD+ is right for
Patients in their 30s through 70s pursuing structured longevity protocols. Patients with sustained cognitive or physical demands who want cellular-energy support. Patients pairing NAD+ with other Privé services as part of a broader wellness picture (compounded weight-loss programs, peptide protocols, IV therapy, the membership cadence). Patients who can commit to consistent administration rather than ad-hoc dosing.
Not the right fit: patients seeking a quick fix or an immediate result, patients with active malignancy (NAD+ is contraindicated in this context due to its role in cellular metabolism), patients with specific medical conditions discussed at consultation, patients who would skip the consultation and lab work in favor of unsupervised dosing.
How NAD+ fits with other Privé services
Most NAD+ patients at Privé layer the protocol with the rest of the practice. Common combinations include NAD+ paired with IV therapy for broader nutritional support; NAD+ in peptide stacks like our Radiance + Renewal blend (NAD+ with glutathione for combined cellular-energy and antioxidant signaling); NAD+ supporting recovery during compounded weight-loss programs; and NAD+ as part of broader anti-aging protocols. The NAD+ conversation is rarely a standalone treatment; it's almost always part of a layered plan.
The regulatory framing
NAD+ peptide preparations at Privé are sourced through a U.S. licensed, FDA-registered compounding pharmacy or pharmaceutical-grade infusion supplier under physician prescription. NAD+ is not FDA-approved as a finished drug product for the specific aesthetic, longevity, or wellness indications discussed in our protocols. We do not claim FDA approval. We do not promise specific outcomes. We do not compare to any branded finished pharmaceutical products. We treat NAD+ as what it is — a longevity-oriented protocol with real biological plausibility, real individual variability, and real regulatory framing that we communicate honestly.
How to start
Schedule a consultation. We discuss medical history, current state, lab work needs (commonly a comprehensive metabolic panel and specific tests based on individual context), goals, and protocol options. We recommend a starting format (IV, IM, or a combined protocol) based on the conversation. The first visit includes the consultation and labs; subsequent visits are protocol-specific.
Frequently asked
What is NAD+?
NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) is a coenzyme present in every cell in the body, central to mitochondrial energy production and cellular repair pathways. Levels decline measurably with age, which is part of why NAD+ has become central to the longevity conversation. At Privé Aesthetics, NAD+ is offered as the Clarity Shot (IM) or through IV therapy.
What does NAD+ therapy actually do?
NAD+ is involved in cellular energy production, DNA repair, and several pathways relevant to aging. Patients pursuing NAD+ therapy commonly report sustained mental clarity, energy, and recovery support. We are honest at consultation that NAD+ is not a quick fix or a guaranteed outcome — it is a longevity-oriented protocol with individual response variability.
Is NAD+ IV better than IM?
Neither is universally better. IV delivers a larger dose over a longer infusion period, which some patients find more efficient but more time-intensive (45-90 minute infusions). IM (Clarity Shot) is a quick injection patients can self-administer at home with a smaller per-dose amount on a more frequent cadence. The choice depends on lifestyle, goals, and tolerability — discussed at consultation.
How much does NAD+ therapy cost at Privé?
NAD+ is offered as the Clarity Shot (IM, prescription-only) or through IV therapy (starting at $75 for our IM and IV menu). Specific NAD+ protocol pricing depends on dose, format, and program duration; pricing is confirmed at consultation.
Is NAD+ safe?
NAD+ is generally well-tolerated when administered under physician supervision. The most common side effect of IV infusion is the "NAD push" sensation — chest tightness or warmth during rapid infusion, which resolves by slowing the drip. IM dosing avoids this. Contraindications and individual considerations are discussed at consultation.
Is NAD+ FDA-approved?
NAD+ is not FDA-approved as a finished drug product for the specific aesthetic, longevity, or wellness indications discussed in this program. NAD+ preparations at Privé are sourced through a U.S. licensed, FDA-registered compounding pharmacy or pharmaceutical-grade infusion supplier under physician prescription. We do not claim FDA approval for our NAD+ protocols.