I'm 71 years old, and I just added something new to my longevity protocol: NAD+ injections.
Yes, injections. A small needle, everyday of the week, right into the belly fat. If that sounds extreme to you, stick with me. Because the reason I'm doing this might be the most important thing you read today.
What Is NAD+ and Why Should You Care?
NAD+ stands for nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide. Don't worry about pronouncing it. Here's what you need to know: it's a molecule found in every single cell of your body, and your cells cannot produce energy without it.
NAD+ powers your mitochondria. It fuels DNA repair. It activates sirtuins, the so-called “longevity genes” that researchers like Dr. David Sinclair have been studying for decades.
And here's the problem. By the time you hit your 60s and 70s, your NAD+ levels may have dropped to half or less of what they were in your 20s. Some researchers believe this decline is one of the core drivers of aging itself. Less NAD+ means less cellular energy, slower repair, more fatigue, foggier thinking.
I'm running a long-term experiment on myself. My goal is to live to 200 in peak health. Letting one of my body's most critical molecules quietly drain away is not part of the plan.
Why Injections Instead of Pills?
You've probably seen NAD+ supplements at the store. NMN. NR. Capsules and powders everywhere. So why am I using a needle?
Simple: absorption.
When you swallow NAD+ or its precursors, they have to survive your digestive system and a first pass through your liver. A lot of it never makes it where it needs to go. Injecting subcutaneously bypasses the gut entirely. What goes in is what your body gets to work with.
One note for the sticklers out there: NAD+ is technically a coenzyme, not a peptide. But it's sold and administered right alongside the peptide protocols, in the same vials with the same insulin syringes, so most people lump it into the peptide world. Either way, the mechanism is what matters.
My Protocol
Here's exactly what I'm doing:
Dose: 0.25 mL per injection
Frequency: 7 times per week
Method: Subcutaneous injection into the abdomen
The injections themselves are quick. The needle is tiny, the same kind diabetics use every day. If you can pinch an inch of belly fat, you can do this.
Fair warning: NAD+ injections have a reputation. Go too fast with too much and some people report flushing, nausea, or a tight feeling in the chest. That's why smart protocols start low and build up gradually. I'm starting conservative and titrating from there. I have not had this issue.
What I'm Tracking
You know how I operate. I don't do vibes. I do data.
Here's what I'm watching over the coming months:
Energy levels throughout the day, especially that afternoon slump.
Sleep quality from my nightly tracking.
Mental clarity and focus during long recording sessions.
Recovery from workouts, including my grip strength numbers.
Bloodwork at regular intervals to see what's actually moving.
The Bottom Line
I'm not chasing miracle cures. I'm stacking evidence-based interventions, one at a time, and measuring everything. NAD+ decline is real. The question is whether restoring it makes a measurable difference in a 71-year-old body. In a few months, I'll have an answer, and you'll be the first to know.
If you're over 60 and you feel like your battery doesn't hold a charge the way it used to, this is a topic worth understanding. Talk to your doctor about it. Do your homework. And follow along as I put it to the test.
Stay sovereign, stay healthy.
I am not a doctor and I am definitely not your doctor. Just a 71-year-old Boomer doing the research and documenting the results. Talk to your physician before starting any new protocol.
Stay sovereign, stay healthy.
— Gary Leland
The 200 Year Life Project
These are products I use on my push to 200. I only put something on this list after I’ve tested it on myself. The links are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no cost to you.
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