Dave Asprey doesn’t mess around. Considered the “father of biohacking,” he blends cutting-edge science with practical hacks to defy aging and optimize performance. Asprey’s approach fuses nutrition, cellular optimization, and technology to push the boundaries of human lifespan. But amid all the cutting-edge therapies out there, one molecule keeps popping to the top of the longevity wish list: NAD (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) and its precursors NMN and NR.
In this episode of The Human Upgrade Podcast, Asprey sat down with Dr. Andrew Salzman, Harvard-trained scientist, physician, and Wonderfeel’s chief medical officer, to break down the future of NAD supplementation. With 170+ scientific publications and 50+ patents, Dr. Salzman is considered one of the brightest minds in biomedicine in cellular health—pharmaceuticals to next-generation nutraceuticals are built on his insights into NAD optimization.
NAD: The tiny molecule with three big functions
How do your cells stay fired up? NAD is the answer, says Dr. Salzman, who calls it “the centerpiece of biology.” It’s the fuel behind three big jobs that keep you ticking: energy, DNA protection, and oxidative defense. “Low NAD, low energy,” Dr. Salzman explains—without it, your cells sputter like a car with an empty gas tank. Here’s the breakdown:
- Energy boost: NAD powers ATP, the “currency” driving every thought, step, and heartbeat. No NAD, no juice.
- DNA guardian: It fuels PARP, a repair enzyme that fixes DNA breaks—up to 70 times a minute, per Salzman. Skip it, and mutations creep in.
- Antioxidant muscle: NAD morphs into NADPH, fueling glutathione to fight off cosmic rays, pollution, and even alcohol’s toll.
Asprey ties NAD to his longevity “four killers”—cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s. “If you can maintain NAD, you maintain the energy for DNA repair, detox, and everything else that keeps you going,” he says.
The big takeaway? “If you can control your NAD levels, you can control one of the many pathways of aging,” says Asprey.
A word on NAD IV therapy
NAD IV infusions—those drips hooked to your arm—sound high-tech, promising instant energy and mental clarity.
Asprey describes spending hours spent with needles in his arm: “It’s pretty uncomfortable. I finally go to where I could do a gram in about 45 minutes, but it’s like something sitting on your chest and you’re turning red.” To limit side effects, NAD IV drips are generally administered slowly, which means a session lasts anywhere from two to four hours or longer. Beyond the time investment, this type of therapy is expensive. At minimum, sessions cost at least a few hundred dollars, with high doses typically priced between $400 to $700 or more. The worst part? “Even with an intravenous infusion, [the NAD] will be in your blood, but that doesn’t mean it’s in your cells,” says Dr. Salzman. It raises a serious question about efficacy. So what’s going on?
NAD, a charged molecule, can’t easily cross cell membranes where it’s needed. Instead, your body breaks it down into NMN (nicotinamide mononucleotide) in the bloodstream first. NMN then rides specialized transporters—like cellular VIP passes—straight into cells, converting back to NAD right where it powers energy, DNA repair, and antioxidant defenses. “Nature designed it this way,” Dr. Salzman explains. “The supplement industry recognizes this, and that’s why NR and NMN dominate that industry.” So why the IV fuss? Call it good marketing! The fact is, a daily NMN capsule cuts the middleman, delivering NAD smarter and sans needles.
What makes NMN special? “It’s more efficient—fewer steps,” Dr. Salzman says. Unlike NAD, which struggles to enter cells intact, NMN’s streamlined path skips extra conversions, quickly boosting NAD levels. A 2022 Nature Aging study confirms this—NMN’s transporter-friendly design means faster cellular uptake, fueling ATP and PARP without delay. Think of it like express shipping versus snail mail.
A quick note on liposomal NMN
You may have seen liposomal versions of NMN, where the molecule is wrapped in tiny fat bubbles to enhance absorption. While this sounds promising in theory, liposomal tech can be tricky to get right—those bubbles can leak, and so far, clinical evidence on liposomal superiority is absent. Standard NMN formulations remain a dependable choice if you’re seeking a stable, proven way to pump up NAD levels.
How to prevent NAD depletion? Meet its biggest thief: CD38
You’re boosting NAD with NMN—great move. But there’s a catch: CD38, an enzyme that quietly sabotages your efforts. “It breaks down NAD and NMN,” Dr. Salzman explains, acting like a drain on your cellular fuel tank. When you’re young, CD38 helps immunity, but as you age, it oversteps. “By the time we’re 50s or 60s, we’ve got way too much,” he says, and it’s sapping the NAD you’re working to restore. That dip in energy you feel? CD38’s partly to blame.
Why does it surge? “Aging is an inflammatory event,” Dr. Salzman notes, pointing to chronic inflammation, often from leaky gut, as the trigger. As we age, the lining of the gut becomes weaker and more sensitive, and it’s further compromised by lifestyle factors like diet, medications, and stress. A weaker gut lining can’t do its job as effectively, which means harmful bacteria and toxins may leak into the bloodstream. That kickstarts the immune system, which revs up CD38 activity, creating a vicious cycle: more inflammation, more CD38, less NAD. “It destroys NAD, lowering your resilience,” he warns. The fix? “Give a boost with NMN, but also slow down the enzyme that chews it up. That combination is critical.” Think gut health—probiotics, balanced meals—and anti-inflammatory habits like exercise or stress management. Pair those with NMN, and you’re not just filling the tank—you’re plugging the leak, keeping NAD where it belongs: powering your cells.
Teamwork: How Wonderfeel Youngr™ NMN boosts NAD and blocks CD38
When it comes to keeping your cells powered up, it’s not enough just to raise NAD levels—you also have to protect NAD from being siphoned off. That’s why we at Wonderfeel devised a combination approach for Youngr™ NMN: fueling your cells with a steady NAD “top-up” while reining in CD38, the enzyme that breaks NAD down.
According to Dr. Salzman, NMN is the most direct route to higher NAD levels inside your cells. Think of it like filling a bathtub: the more NMN you supply, the more NAD accumulates to power energy production, DNA repair, and antioxidant defenses. Making NMN part of your daily routine means your cells receive the raw materials for robust NAD creation—day in and day out.
But filling that fuel tank won’t help if it has a hole. CD38 acts like that hole, speeding up NAD breakdown as we age. To counter this, Wonderfeel Youngr™ NMN includes a botanical one-two punch:
- Hydroxytyrosol: A potent antioxidant from olive oil that further curbs CD38 activity and fights oxidative stress.
- Resveratrol: A natural compound from red grapes that helps inhibit overactive CD38, which is often linked to aging and chronic inflammation.
If you want to hold on to all the NAD you’re making—and harness its age-defying benefits—pairing NMN with targeted botanicals (and a gut-friendly routine) is the secret sauce. That’s the beauty of Wonderfeel Youngr™—it helps create, protect, and sustain elevated NAD levels for maximum vitality. Because sometimes, the best defense is a solid offense.
The future of longevity: Can we break the 120-year barrier?
For decades, scientists and futurists alike have pointed to 120 years as the upper limit of human lifespan. But what if that ceiling is more flexible than we think? Drawing on breakthrough research and practical strategies—like NAD-boosting supplements, better gut health, and synergy with other protective molecules—Dr. Salzman and Asprey believe the horizon could extend to 130, 140, or beyond. Here’s why:
- Longevity & Healthy Aging: A New Paradigm
- Reimagining the aging process: Rather than an unavoidable decline, aging can be viewed as a dynamic biological process—one that we can hack, tune, and even slow down.
- Early intervention: Both Dr. Salzman and Asprey emphasize that aging starts in your 20s; the sooner you optimize NAD levels, gut integrity, and inflammation, the better your chances of living a vibrant life far past today’s averages.
- NAD as a Longevity Linchpin
- Defining the next frontier: NAD is central to everything from energy generation to DNA repair to immune function. Fine-tuning NAD pathways (plus blocking CD38) might help us leapfrog the current “human maximum” of 120 years.
- Combination therapies: Pairing NMN with CD38 inhibitors like hydroxytyrosol and resveratrol maximizes every drop of NAD you make. Throw in robust antioxidants and leaky-gut fixes, and the cumulative effect could be profound.
- Cardiovascular Protection & Metabolic Support
- Keeping the heart young: By reducing oxidative stress and supporting healthy blood flow, NAD maintenance may help preserve cardiovascular function deep into old age.
- Metabolic resilience: High NAD levels boost insulin sensitivity and glucose regulation—potentially delaying or mitigating metabolic conditions that otherwise shorten lifespan.
- Neurological and Cognitive Vitality
- Sharper, longer: Because the brain is the body’s most energy-hungry organ, maintaining robust NAD can help sidestep “senior moments,” brain fog, and age-related memory decline.
- Future directions: New studies are exploring how NAD-boosting strategies might help manage neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s—two major barriers to ultra-long lifespans.
- Mitochondrial Powerhouses
- Backbone of mitochondrial energy: Healthy mitochondria are essential for longevity, and NAD is the spark that keeps them running smoothly. Strong mitochondrial function translates to better energy, faster recovery, and improved resilience against daily stress.
- Stronger, faster recovery: Optimized NAD can also help the body handle acute events, like injuries or infections, faster and with fewer long-term repercussions.
- COVID-19, Vaccine Injury & Beyond
- Protective role in vascular health: NAD’s role in repairing vascular cells could be pivotal for those recovering from virus-related damage—or even vaccine side effects—pointing to broader, future applications in immunology.
- Sexual Health
- NAD’s role in sexual energy and why Viagra only works on 60% of the population: NAD powers nitric oxide production for better blood flow, supporting erectile function, vaginal lubrication, and overall well-being. That’s a particularly interesting fact for men taking Viagra without noticeable effects, which is true for about half the population that needs help. “If you have NAD deficiency, you can take all the Viagra you want—it will not help,” says Dr. Salzman. As research progresses, expect more insights into how NAD-based interventions keep all parts of life flourishing well past middle age.
- Personalized Approaches & Ongoing Research
- Bio-individuality is key: Each of us has a unique genetic and lifestyle profile. Future longevity plans will likely tailor NAD-boosting, diet, exercise, and advanced therapies to the individual.
- Breaking new ground: Dr. Salzman, Dave Asprey, and countless researchers worldwide are actively studying how to tweak metabolism, reverse biological markers of aging, and push well beyond the 120-year mark.
Why this matters—and what’s next
Dr. Salzman’s mission is clear: knowledge is power. With each new study on NAD, mitochondrial health, or gut integrity, we learn how to fortify the body against the wear and tear of time.
Bottom line: We may not have all the answers yet, but as research accelerates and synergy between different anti-aging strategies grows, we inch closer to shattering that 120-year barrier. If you’re ready to be part of this exciting frontier, building a robust NAD foundation is a great place to start. Because the future—maybe even a future beyond 120—is being shaped right now.
How to optimize your NAD levels today
Dr. Salzman and Asprey share these three valuable tips on optimizing your NAD levels:
1. Supercharge with NMN & Block CD38
Taking 900mg of NMN daily is a proven way to raise intracellular NAD. But don’t stop there—protect what you produce by teaming NMN with CD38 inhibitors like hydroxytyrosol and resveratrol. Think of it as doubling down on your investment: you’re not just filling the NAD “tank,” you’re also patching the leaks.
2. Support Mitochondria with Healthy Habits
Cells need the right environment to make the most of any supplement. That means prioritizing a nutrient-dense diet, regular exercise (think both cardio and strength training), and stress management practices that keep inflammation in check. By focusing on a gut-friendly, whole-foods approach and mitochondrial-enhancing routines, you naturally multiply the benefits of higher NAD levels.
3. Commit to Long-Term Consistency
Aging is an ongoing process, not a one-time event. To keep your energy, brain power, and cellular defenses robust for decades to come, it’s crucial to view NAD maintenance as a daily practice. Dr. Salzman and Dave Asprey both emphasize that the real wins are cumulative—so adopt NAD-boosting as a lifestyle, and watch the benefits compound over time.
Want to learn more?
Click to listen to the full episode and explore how Wonderfeel Youngr™ NMN can support your longevity journey.
