NAD Therapy

What is NAD Therapy?

NAD, or nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, is a naturally occurring co-enzyme of niacin that helps cells in our bodies produce energy. It does so by converting the energy we get from food into cellular energy. Administering lab-produced NAD will boost the levels of the chemical in someone’s body, but they will need to be administered more to sustain that level.

As a person abuses drugs and alcohol, their natural amount of NAD is depleted. This makes it more difficult for them to convert the energy that is broken down from food. It is even speculated that people who naturally produce less NAD are more likely to develop an addiction and potentially a co-occurring disorder. Other reasons the body’s natural reserve of NAD would be depleted are:

• Post-traumatic stress
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE)
• Alzheimer’s
• Parkinson’s
• Neurodegenerative diseases
• Aging

How is NAD Therapy Used?

In NAD Therapy, the co-enzyme is placed in an IV and slowly dripped into the blood stream. This allows the substance to bypass the stomach (where analgesic medication breaks down) and travel directly to the brain. This provides the individual with a boost of energy, providing enhanced mood and awareness, as the energy they get is now from their natural sources, not other substances. It has also been claimed to slow the aging process. These benefits have opened the door for clinics to use it as a luxury, like a spa treatment.

Advertising it as an all-natural, mood-elevating, no-crash, anti-aging energy booster, clinics are selling to people who have not suffered an addiction of any kind. It is advertised as a therapeutic treatment to give them more energy and reverse aging. This procedure isn’t as lengthy as someone looking for rehabilitation and can be sold as a regular treatment appointment, receiving a “top off” every 6 to 8 weeks.

Why Use NAD Therapy to Treat Addiction?

It has been determined that the excessive use of drugs and alcohol will deplete the body’s natural stores of NAD. Because of this, the brain cannot receive the same energy it usually would from breaking down food. NAD Therapy floods the brain with the co-enzyme to replenish its stores, providing three key effects.

• It flushes out all of the drugs that are still in the user’s system.
• It curbs the cravings for alcohol and Opioids and lessens the pain of withdrawal, making recovery easier physically and mentally.
• It allows the body to produce energy more naturally, without a crash or jitters like caffeine and sugar or the negative effects that come with other substances.

Length of sessions vary depending on severity of the addiction and what the clinic recommends. After the initial session, follow ups will be scheduled 1 to 2 months later. These sessions can continue at the discretion of the prescribing clinic.

NAD Therapy with Regular Support

NAD has shown to have many benefits, but the length of time that it has been on the market leaves much to the unknown. As far as physicians can see, regular boosters are required to maintain the effects, but the long-term effects have yet to be tested. It must also be stated that this isn’t a miraculous cure. While NAD has been seen to greatly reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms from alcohol and Opioids, it still can’t do the work alone. Only with a combination of NAD and regular therapy and support can someone stay on the path of recovery.

Finding Help with NAD Therapy

If you, or a loved one, have tried and failed at recovery in the past then it may be hard to try again. Remembering the pain involved can always be a huge obstacle in a second attempt, but with NAD, it doesn’t have to be. Perhaps this new treatment could be what was missing before, helping with detox and managing the symptoms of withdrawal. However, please be wary.

Again, while this treatment may seem miraculous, you can’t count on it to be your one-and-done cure. True recovery can only be achieved by getting to the root of the problem and working at it every day. While NAD could be a strong beginning, it is just that; a beginning. The long-term effects have yet to be well documented, so use caution in choosing a clinic. If you need help, or want to know more about NAD, then reach out today. There are dedicated treatment specialist waiting to hear from you.

• Sources

  B. Johnny. (2016). I Got a $600 Brain ‘Reboot’ and It Changed My World. Retrieved April 4gh 2018 from https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/bn3vmq/nad-plus-brain-reboot-infusion-injection

  Drugrehab.org. (2015). What is NAD Brain Restoration for Addiction? Retrieved April 4th 2018 from http://www.drugrehab.org/what-is-nad-brain-restoration-for-addiction/

  Springfield Wellness Center. (2017). BR+NAD. Retrieved April 5th 2018 from https://www.springfieldwellnesscenter.com/br-nad