NAD+ for Anxiety Disorders and Mental Health
NAD+ controls key life processes from energy metabolism to the life span of cells being a critically important component for thousands of biochemical reactions in the human body (1). One of the most important functions of NAD is its participation in the synthesis of ATP molecules, which are a source of energy for all living cells. The more energy requires a cell, the higher the NAD+ concentration it has, therefore, the maximum concentration of this enzyme is observed in the most energy-demanding tissues - the myocardium and brain tissue. NAD+ is an essential molecule for the proper functioning of neurons of the central nervous system (2) and it’s not surprising that NAD+ attracts the attention of many scientists around the world, including neurologists and psychiatrists. Their research demonstrates that thanks to its unique properties and antioxidant activity, NAD+ molecule has a great therapeutic potential in the treatment of various diseases and particularly in alleviating the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and chronic fatigue syndrome. Research data demonstrate that NAD+ supplementation has a beneficial effect on anxiety, depression, physical and mental performance (3, 4).
The real living conditions of people (lack of sleep, environmental pollution, unhealthy diet, bad habits and lifestyle such as smoking, alcohol, etc.) lead to physical and mental stress, anxiety, and depression. Anxiety is one of the most common psychopathological symptoms affecting around 19% of the US adult population (including almost twice as many women as men). Anxiety can be defined as a mood dominated by a feeling of a strong threat or a disturbing change originating from an unknown, unreal source. In most cases, the symptoms of anxiety include a constant feeling of nervousness, trembling, dizziness, accelerated heartbeat, decrease in physical and mental energy.
Studies have shown that a sufficient level of intracellular NAD+ is critically important for the normal functioning of the central nervous system. But in anxiety disorders, intracellular NAD+ levels are significantly reduced. Taking NAD for anxiety helps to replenish the intracellular NAD+ levels which lead to an increase in the concentration of norepinephrine. Boosting the levels of norepinephrine positively affects mental activity, improving mood and alleviating symptoms of anxiety and depression. In a study of 205 volunteers who suffered from anxiety and depression, it was shown that NAD IV therapy for anxiety led to a clinically significant effect (subjects noted relief of symptoms of depression and improved mood).
NAD+ plays a central role in energy production in the nervous system and mediates the vast majority of energy metabolic reactions. With age, the level of intracellular NAD+ in the brain tissue decreases, leading to a decrease in energy production and a decrease in the level of neurotransmitters - special chemical compounds that transmit signals from one neuron to another.
Despite the lack of understanding of particular mechanisms of its action, recent trials show the pivotal role of NAD+ in neuroprotection in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases and its effect on anxiety disorders and overall mental health. Increasing the intracellular levels of NAD+ restore normal neurotransmitters levels and connection between the brain and somatic organs, improving mental function. NAD IV therapy in patients with Parkinson's disease can help restore a steady gait, control tremors and improve cognitive function. In Alzheimer's disease, NAD+ supplements improve memory and overall mental health, and in 93% of people with depression, NAD+ reliably provides clinical improvement.
A recent study showed that NAD+ has neuroprotective properties and protects brain cells from ischemic injury. An increase in the intracellular content of NAD leads to an increase in sirtuin activity, boosts ATP production, and decreases the concentration of reactive oxygen species, toxicity, and oxidative damage to macromolecules. These properties of NAD not only improve memory and cognition, but also make it possible to reduce the sensitivity of brain cells to a lack of oxygen and improve their functional recovery, and a series of recent trials (5, 6) highlighted its promising use in the treatment of ischemic stroke.
A study by Birkmayer and colleagues (7), who studied the effect of NAD+ and its precursors on cognitive function, convincingly showed that due to a significant increase in mitochondrial ATP production NAD+ is a powerful source of energy and promotes a rapid improvement in mental performance regardless of gender and age. Research has shown that NAD+ supplementation has a rapid positive effect on cognitive performance, which can be of immense value for many professions - shift workers, doctors, drivers, airline pilots, managers, athletes, and many others.
According to scientific data from the Anxiety & Depression Association of America, more than 30% of all people experience an anxiety disorder at least once in their life. Both NAD IV therapy and oral supplementation can improve symptoms in patients suffering from anxiety disorders, depression, and frequent mental stress. Normalization of intracellular NAD+ levels leads to beneficial physiologic effects, including improvement in neuron function, neuroprotection (preventing brain cells from damage), and promote the process of mitochondrial biogenesis. This translates to increased mental energy, improved concentration, improved memory, and a healthy mood boost.
NAD+ is an ideal supplement also for stressed people, suffering from insomnia or frequently experiencing jet lag. NAD+ supplements are considered safe and can be used by anyone who experiences an energy deficit, stress or anxiety. A lot of mental effort ahead? Support the functioning of the nervous system with the NAD+ supplements.
Keywords: nad for anxiety, nad iv therapy, and iv therapy for anxiety
Chen, J., Michan, S., Juan, A. M., Hurst, C. G., Hatton, C. J., Pei, D. T., ... & Smith, L. E. (2013). Neuronal sirtuin1 mediates retinal vascular regeneration in oxygen-induced ischemic retinopathy. Angiogenesis, 16(4), 985-992.
Yang, Y., & Sauve, A. A. (2016). NAD+ metabolism: Bioenergetics, signaling and manipulation for therapy. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA)-Proteins and Proteomics, 1864(12), 1787-1800.
Hou, Y., Lautrup, S., Cordonnier, S., Wang, Y., Croteau, D. L., Zavala, E., ... & Bohr, V. A. (2018). NAD+ supplementation normalizes key Alzheimer’s features and DNA damage responses in a new AD mouse model with introduced DNA repair deficiency. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 115(8), E1876-E1885.
Lautrup, S., Sinclair, D. A., Mattson, M. P., & Fang, E. F. (2019). NAD+ in brain aging and neurodegenerative disorders. Cell metabolism, 30(4), 630-655.
Huang, Q., Sun, M., Li, M., Zhang, D., Han, F., Wu, J. C., ... & Qin, Z. H. (2018). Combination of NAD+ and NADPH offers greater neuroprotection in ischemic stroke models by relieving metabolic stress. Molecular neurobiology, 55(7), 6063-6075.
Ying, W., & Xiong, Z. G. (2010). Oxidative stress and NAD+ in ischemic brain injury: current advances and future perspectives. Current medicinal chemistry, 17(20), 2152-2158.
Birkmayer, G. D., Grathwohl, D., Klann, M., Müller, H. M., & Berg, A. (2001). Stabilized NADH improves the physical and mental performance in highly conditioned athletes. Dubrovnik.
