NMN, or nicotinamide mononucleotide, is an NAD+ precursor studied for effects on NAD metabolism, insulin sensitivity, exercise capacity, sleep and physical function. Human randomized trials exist, but findings are mixed and often biomarker-focused. NMN is not a proven anti-aging treatment, and Chia does not offer NMN.
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See if you qualify →What it is
NMN means nicotinamide mononucleotide. It is also called β-nicotinamide mononucleotide, and it is a naturally occurring metabolite involved in making NAD+, short for nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide 1.
NAD+ is a cofactor, which means cells use it to help enzymes do their work. NMN is studied because it sits upstream of NAD+ metabolism, but that does not mean it is proven to slow aging or extend human life 4.
In current human research, NMN has mostly been studied as an oral supplement in defined groups such as healthy adults, older adults, amateur runners, prediabetic women and adults with overweight or obesity 2, 5, 6, 8.
What NMN is not
NMN is not a proven longevity treatment. The studies in the supplied evidence set look at biomarkers and short-term physiologic outcomes, not whether people live longer 4, 6. Individual results vary.
Mechanism of action
NMN is proposed to work by increasing the pool of molecules the body can use to make NAD+. Human studies have measured NMN in relation to NAD metabolism and nicotinamide metabolite levels, but those markers do not prove longer life or disease prevention 3, 8.
The simple version: NMN is a precursor, NAD+ is the downstream molecule, and NAD+ helps many cell reactions run. That pathway is why researchers study NMN in aging and metabolic health, including insulin sensitivity and physical function 2, 4.
Mechanism studies can show that a pathway changes. They cannot, by themselves, prove that a supplement improves health, prevents disease or extends lifespan in humans 4.
| Term | Plain-English meaning | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| NMN | Nicotinamide mononucleotide; a NAD+ precursor | Studied as a way to affect NAD-related biomarkers 1 |
| NAD+ | Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide; a cell cofactor | Measured in studies of metabolism, function and aging-related physiology 3 |
| Biomarker | A measured signal, such as a blood metabolite | Useful for research, but not the same as a patient-centered outcome 4 |
| Clinical outcome | A result a person can feel or measure in daily life | Examples studied include walking speed, sleep quality, fatigue and aerobic capacity 5, 6, 7 |
Evidence
NMN has evidence grade A under the supplied rubric because two or more human randomized controlled trials are indexed in PubMed. That grade is about study quantity and design, not proof that NMN works or is safe for everyone.
Evidence grade rubric: A — two or more human randomised controlled trials. B — one human randomised trial, or two or more human clinical trials. C — human research exists, none of it randomised. D — animal or in-vitro research only; no human studies indexed. E — no trial evidence indexed in PubMed. The grade describes the quantity and design of published evidence, not whether the substance works, and not whether it is safe.
Human randomized trials in the supplied evidence set include studies in healthy middle-aged adults, prediabetic women, amateur runners, older adults and adults with overweight or obesity 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7.
The strongest human signals in the supplied titles are not lifespan outcomes. They include increased muscle insulin sensitivity in prediabetic women, enhanced aerobic capacity measures in amateur runners, increased blood NAD levels, maintained walking speed and improved sleep quality in older adults 2, 5, 6.
The safety side matters too. Several trials included safety or tolerability endpoints, but short and mid-length human trials cannot answer every long-term safety question, especially for people with cancer history, pregnancy, breastfeeding, complex disease or multiple medications 1, 8, 9.
| Outcome area | What human studies in this evidence set suggest | What they do not prove |
|---|---|---|
| NAD-related biomarkers | Human studies measured NAD metabolism, blood NAD levels or nicotinamide metabolites 3, 6, 8 | They do not prove lifespan extension. |
| Insulin sensitivity | A randomized trial reported increased muscle insulin sensitivity in prediabetic women 2 | This does not prove broad benefit for all people with prediabetes or diabetes. |
| Exercise capacity | A randomized double-blind study reported enhanced aerobic capacity in amateur runners 5 | This does not prove better athletic performance for every person. |
| Sleep, fatigue and function | Older-adult trials evaluated sleep quality, fatigue, physical performance, walking speed and blood NAD levels 6, 7 | These endpoints do not prove anti-aging effects. |
| Arterial stiffness | A randomized trial evaluated NAD metabolism and arterial stiffness after long-term NMN supplementation 3 | This does not prove fewer heart attacks, strokes or longer life. |
What studies exist
| Year | Design | Study | Journal | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Randomised controlled trial | The efficacy and safety of β-nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) supplementation in healthy middle-aged adults: a randomized, multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel- | GeroScience | PMID 36482258 |
| 2021 | Randomised controlled trial | Nicotinamide mononucleotide increases muscle insulin sensitivity in prediabetic women | Science (New York, N.Y.) | PMID 33888596 |
| 2022 | Randomised controlled trial | Cemiplimab plus chemotherapy versus chemotherapy alone in non-small cell lung cancer: a randomized, controlled, double-blind phase 3 trial | Nature medicine | PMID 36008722 |
| 2024 | Randomised controlled trial | A biomarker-stratified comparison of top-down versus accelerated step-up treatment strategies for patients with newly diagnosed Crohn's disease (PROFILE): a multicentre, open-label | The lancet. Gastroenterology & hepatology | PMID 38402895 |
| 2023 | Randomised controlled trial | Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide metabolism and arterial stiffness after long-term nicotinamide mononucleotide supplementation: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled tria | Scientific reports | PMID 36797393 |
| 2022 | Clinical trial | Long-term safety and efficacy of dupilumab in patients with moderate-to-severe asthma (TRAVERSE): an open-label extension study | The Lancet. Respiratory medicine | PMID 34597534 |
| 2020 | Clinical trial | Effect of oral administration of nicotinamide mononucleotide on clinical parameters and nicotinamide metabolite levels in healthy Japanese men | Endocrine journal | PMID 31685720 |
| 2023 | Randomised controlled trial | Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide Augmentation in Overweight or Obese Middle-Aged and Older Adults: A Physiologic Study | The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism | PMID 36740954 |
| 2024 | Randomised controlled trial | Ingestion of β-nicotinamide mononucleotide increased blood NAD levels, maintained walking speed, and improved sleep quality in older adults in a double-blind randomized, placebo-co | GeroScience | PMID 38789831 |
| 2022 | Randomised controlled trial | Effect of 12-Week Intake of Nicotinamide Mononucleotide on Sleep Quality, Fatigue, and Physical Performance in Older Japanese Adults: A Randomized, Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled | Nutrients | PMID 35215405 |
| 2021 | Randomised controlled trial | Nicotinamide mononucleotide supplementation enhances aerobic capacity in amateur runners: a randomized, double-blind study | Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition | PMID 34238308 |
| 2023 | Clinical trial | The acute effect of different NAD(+) precursors included in the combined metabolic activators | Free radical biology & medicine | PMID 37271226 |
| Registration | Phase | Status | Enrolment | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NCT04823260 | NA | COMPLETED | 90 | To Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of NMN as an Anti-ageing Supplement in Middle Aged and Older (40-65 Years) Adults |
| NCT04862338 | NA | COMPLETED | 17 | Pharmacodynamics and Tolerance of Nicotinamide Mononucleotide (NMN, 400mg/Day) in Healthy Adults |
| NCT04685096 | N/A | COMPLETED | 89 | Anti-ageing Efficacy of a Cosmetic Formulation Containing NMN (2%) Versus Placebo |
| NCT06629636 | NA | RECRUITING | 60 | Investigate the Efficacy of Using NMN to Improve Embryo Development Capacity. |
| NCT04903210 | PHASE4 | UNKNOWN | 20 | Nicotinamide Mononucleotide in Hypertensive Patients |
| NCT07144527 | NA | RECRUITING | 40 | Nicotinamide Mononucleotide Supplementation for Exercise Tolerance Improvement in Healthy Older Adults |
| NCT04571008 | NA | COMPLETED | 56 | Effect of NMN Supplementation on Organ System Biology |
| NCT07278492 | PHASE1 | NOT_YET_RECRUITING | 24 | NAD Augmentation to Prevent or Reverse Alzheimer's Disease in People With Down Syndrome |
This table is retrieved from PubMed and ClinicalTrials.gov rather than assembled by hand, so it shows what is indexed — including the absences. Last retrieved 2026-09-02.
Reported dosing ranges
Published NMN studies have used oral supplementation designs, but the supplied PubMed citation records do not give a complete dosing range for every trial. The numbers below describe what was studied or registered; they are not instructions for you.
| Source | Population or setting | Reported dose or duration | How to read it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yi et al., GeroScience 2023 1 | Healthy middle-aged adults | Dose-dependent randomized trial; the retrieved citation does not list the full numeric range | Shows that multiple NMN dose levels were studied, not what an individual should use. |
| Kim et al., Nutrients 2022 7 | Older Japanese adults | 12-week intake study | Duration was studied for sleep, fatigue and physical performance outcomes. |
| Katayoshi et al., Scientific Reports 2023 3 | Adults in a long-term NMN supplementation trial | Long-term supplementation; the retrieved citation does not list the full numeric range | Used to evaluate NAD metabolism and arterial stiffness, not to set personal dosing. |
| ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04862338 10 | Healthy adults | 400 mg/day registered pharmacodynamics and tolerance study | A registered study dose is a research detail, not personal dosing advice. |
Because NMN studies differ by age, health status, endpoints and duration, a study dose should not be copied as a personal plan. If you are considering any NAD+ precursor, a clinician can help review your medications, medical history and goals.
Legal status
Our regulatory log holds no confirmed federal action for NMN. That means we have not found one with a primary source — not that none exists.
This section is generated from a dated log of federal actions rather than written by hand, and it is re-checked daily against the Federal Register and FDA sources. Last checked 2026-09-02. See the full legal-status tracker for every compound we follow.
Safety
NMN safety data in humans are still limited by study size, study duration and the types of people enrolled. Some trials were designed to evaluate efficacy and safety or tolerance, but that does not settle long-term safety for every patient 1, 8, 10.
The supplied evidence supports saying that NMN has been studied in humans under controlled trial conditions. It does not support saying NMN is risk-free, safe in pregnancy, safe during breastfeeding, safe with cancer history or safe with every medication 1, 2, 8.
Liver toxicity is a common patient question. The supplied records include clinical parameters and nicotinamide metabolite measurements in healthy Japanese men, but they do not establish that NMN has no liver risk in broader real-world use 8.
Supply quality is also a safety issue. Products sold as “research use only” are not made for human use, and unregulated supply can create risks around identity, purity, impurities and contamination; this is why clinician oversight and legitimate medical channels matter when a medication or compounded care is involved.
- Seek medical guidance before using NMN if you take glucose-lowering medication, because one randomized trial studied muscle insulin sensitivity in prediabetic women 2.
- Seek medical guidance if you have liver disease or abnormal liver tests, because the supplied evidence does not prove liver safety for all groups 8.
- Seek medical guidance if you are pregnant, trying to conceive or breastfeeding, because the supplied NMN trial set does not establish safety for those groups.
- Seek medical guidance if you have a cancer history or active cancer care, because the supplied evidence does not answer that risk question.
Interactions
No dedicated NMN drug-interaction study is included in the supplied evidence set. That is not the same as proof of no interactions; it means interaction data are limited.
The most relevant interaction concern from the supplied evidence is metabolic care. Because a randomized trial reported increased muscle insulin sensitivity in prediabetic women, people using insulin, sulfonylureas, GLP-1 medications or other glucose-lowering treatments should ask a clinician before adding NMN 2.
NMN has also been studied alongside NAD-related metabolism endpoints, including NAD augmentation and nicotinamide metabolite levels. If you already use NAD+ products, niacin-related supplements or other metabolic supplements, clinician review can help avoid stacking too many overlapping products without a clear reason 4, 8, 9.
| Medication, supplement or condition | Why review matters | Evidence limit |
|---|---|---|
| Glucose-lowering medications | NMN has been studied in relation to muscle insulin sensitivity 2 | No broad interaction trial is included in the supplied evidence. |
| NAD+ products or niacin-related supplements | NMN affects NAD-related metabolism in human studies 3, 8 | The best combination strategy is not established. |
| Pregnancy or breastfeeding | Safety needs a higher bar in these settings | The supplied NMN trial set does not establish safety. |
| Cancer history or complex medical conditions | NAD biology is broad, and risk can be context-specific | The supplied records do not answer these questions. |
How to obtain it legally
The safest process starts with a clinician evaluation: your goals, current medications, health history, labs when relevant and risk factors. That review matters because NMN research includes metabolic endpoints such as insulin sensitivity and NAD-related biomarkers, but it does not prove benefit or safety for every person 2, 4.
Chia does not offer NMN. We do offer clinician-reviewed NAD+ injection and NAD+ nasal spray, with plans currently starting at $179/mo for injection and $119/mo for nasal spray. A prescription requires a short health questionnaire and review by a licensed US provider; prescribing is only where clinically appropriate and is never guaranteed.
For patients whose goals fit NAD+ care, Chia also offers the Foundation Longevity protocol, which includes Sermorelin Injection, NAD+ Injection and Glutathione Injection, and the Glow protocol, which includes GHK-Cu Cream, Glutathione Injection and NAD+ Injection. Medications are compounded in the US by state-licensed 503A compounding pharmacies and shipped to the patient’s door; compounded medications are not FDA-approved.
A research-chemical vendor is different from a licensed medical path. “Research use only” material is not made for people, and it does not replace a clinician’s risk review, prescription process when needed, or pharmacy quality controls.
| Option | What Chia offers | Form | Current starting price |
|---|---|---|---|
| NMN | Chia does not offer NMN | Not offered | Not applicable |
| NAD+ | Clinician-reviewed NAD+ care | Injection or nasal spray | Injection from $179/mo; nasal spray from $119/mo |
| Foundation Longevity | Sermorelin Injection + NAD+ Injection + Glutathione Injection | Multi-treatment protocol | From $399/mo |
| Glow | GHK-Cu Cream + Glutathione Injection + NAD+ Injection | Multi-treatment protocol | From $349/mo |
If you want to discuss NAD+ care with Chia, you can start with our online eligibility quiz. The visit is 100% online, and patients can message their care team through the portal between visits.
Human studies have looked at NMN for NAD-related biomarkers, insulin sensitivity, aerobic capacity, walking speed, sleep quality, fatigue and physical performance. These studies do not prove that NMN slows aging, extends lifespan or works for every person.
The supplied human studies include safety or tolerance endpoints, but they do not settle long-term safety for all groups. People with liver disease, cancer history, pregnancy, breastfeeding, complex medical conditions or multiple medications should speak with a clinician before using NMN.
That depends on your goals, health history and risk tolerance. NMN has multiple human randomized trials, but many outcomes are biomarkers or short-term function measures, not proof of longer life or disease prevention.
The supplied evidence does not show enough to say NMN has no liver risk for everyone. If you have liver disease, abnormal liver tests or take medications that affect the liver, ask a clinician before using NMN.
No. NMN is a precursor used by the body to make NAD+. NAD+ is the downstream cofactor involved in many cell reactions.
No human lifespan extension has been proven in the supplied NMN evidence. The studies focus on NAD-related biomarkers and shorter-term outcomes such as insulin sensitivity, aerobic capacity, sleep quality and physical function.
No. Chia does not offer NMN. Chia offers NAD+ injection and NAD+ nasal spray through clinician review, plus protocols that may include NAD+ injection when clinically appropriate.
Do not stack NAD-related products without clinician review. Human studies measure NAD-related metabolism, but the best combination approach and interaction risks are not established.
References
- 1.PMID 36482258 [randomised controlled trial] Yi L, Maier AB, Tao R, et al. The efficacy and safety of β-nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) supplementation in healthy middle-aged adults: a randomized, multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, dose-dependent clinical trial. GeroScience. 2023.
- 2.PMID 33888596 [randomised controlled trial] Yoshino M, Yoshino J, Kayser BD, et al. Nicotinamide mononucleotide increases muscle insulin sensitivity in prediabetic women. Science (New York, N.Y.). 2021.
- 3.PMID 36797393 [randomised controlled trial] Katayoshi T, Uehata S, Nakashima N, et al. Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide metabolism and arterial stiffness after long-term nicotinamide mononucleotide supplementation: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Scientific reports. 2023.
- 4.PMID 36740954 [randomised controlled trial] Pencina KM, Valderrabano R, Wipper B, et al. Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide Augmentation in Overweight or Obese Middle-Aged and Older Adults: A Physiologic Study. The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism. 2023.
- 5.PMID 34238308 [randomised controlled trial] Liao B, Zhao Y, Wang D, et al. Nicotinamide mononucleotide supplementation enhances aerobic capacity in amateur runners: a randomized, double-blind study. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition. 2021.
- 6.PMID 38789831 [randomised controlled trial] Morifuji M, Higashi S, Ebihara S, et al. Ingestion of β-nicotinamide mononucleotide increased blood NAD levels, maintained walking speed, and improved sleep quality in older adults in a double-blind randomized, placebo-controlled study. GeroScience. 2024.
- 7.PMID 35215405 [randomised controlled trial] Kim M, Seol J, Sato T, et al. Effect of 12-Week Intake of Nicotinamide Mononucleotide on Sleep Quality, Fatigue, and Physical Performance in Older Japanese Adults: A Randomized, Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Study. Nutrients. 2022.
- 8.PMID 31685720 [clinical trial] Irie J, Inagaki E, Fujita M, et al. Effect of oral administration of nicotinamide mononucleotide on clinical parameters and nicotinamide metabolite levels in healthy Japanese men. Endocrine journal. 2020.
- 9.PMID 37271226 [clinical trial] Li X, Yang H, Jin H, et al. The acute effect of different NAD(+) precursors included in the combined metabolic activators. Free radical biology & medicine. 2023.
- 10.ClinicalTrials.gov. NCT04862338 [COMPLETED, NA, n=17] Pharmacodynamics and Tolerance of Nicotinamide Mononucleotide (NMN, 400mg/Day) in Healthy Adults. 2026.
About this article
Chia Health Editorial Team — Evidence-reviewed health education
This article is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for individualized medical advice. Talk to a licensed clinician before starting, stopping, or changing any prescription.
AI tools may assist with research and drafting. Chia's editorial team reviews source use, clarity, treatment information, and safety framing before publication. A clinician is named only after explicit sign-off. Read our editorial standards.
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