COMPOUND

Compounds / Supplements

NMN

β-Nicotinamide Mononucleotide

Supplements Oral OTC supplement

Direct biosynthetic precursor to NAD+: one enzymatic step away (NMN → NAD+ via NMNAT). Studied for age-related decline in NAD+ levels. Most biohacker visibility from David Sinclair (Harvard) advocacy. Multiple RCTs show NMN supplementation elevates blood NAD+ levels and produces some improvements in muscle insulin sensitivity (Yoshino 2021), gait speed, and sleep (Igarashi 2022). Regulatory status was contested Oct 2022 → Sept 2025. FDA reversed its NDI exclusion on Sept 29, 2025 after NPA lawsuit + amended citizen petition, restoring NMN's status as a lawful dietary supplement.

At a glance

Half-life
~42 min Plasma NMN is rapidly cleared (~5-15 min) but raises whole-blood NAD+ pool over 2-4 weeks with sustained elevation. Effect duration is metabolite-driven, not parent-drug residence.
Routes
Oral
Evidence base
3 studies 3 human

Mechanism

Oral NMN is converted to NR by intestinal CD73, then absorbed and re-phosphorylated to NMN intracellularly via NRK kinases, then condensed to NAD+ by NMNAT. Some direct uptake of NMN via Slc12a8 transporter described in mouse intestine (Grozio 2019) but contested. Net effect: elevation of NAD+ pool in tissues including blood, muscle, and (less reliably) brain. NAD+ serves as cofactor for sirtuins (SIRT1-7), PARPs, and CD38: putative longevity-relevant pathways.

Dosing

Any amounts shown here are reported from published studies only. 3 of 3 catalogued studies involved human subjects. COMPOUND does not publish its own dosing guidance.

Where a study reports an amount, it appears in that study's entry below, attributed to the source.

Published evidence

  1. Human RCT 2022

    Chronic NMN supplementation elevates blood NAD+ levels and alters muscle function in healthy older men

    Igarashi M, Nakagawa-Nagahama Y, Miura M, et al. NPJ Aging

    n=42 randomized, 20 completed, 12 weeks of 250 mg/day NMN in healthy older Japanese men. Significant blood NAD+ increase. Nominally significant improvements in gait speed and left grip strength; no change in body composition.

    PMID 35927255

  2. Human RCT 2022

    Effect of 12-Week NMN Intake on Sleep Quality, Fatigue, and Physical Performance in Older Japanese Adults

    Kim M, Seol J, Sato T, Fukamizu Y, Sakurai T, Okura Y Nutrients

    Older adults, 250 mg/day x 12 weeks. PM dosing improved sleep quality measures; AM dosing improved fatigue and physical performance. Suggests timing may matter.

    PMID 35215405

  3. Human RCT 2021

    Nicotinamide mononucleotide increases muscle insulin sensitivity in prediabetic women

    Yoshino M, Yoshino J, Kayser BD, et al. Science

    n=25 postmenopausal prediabetic women, 10 weeks of 250 mg/day. Insulin-stimulated glucose disposal increased significantly with NMN (hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp). Skeletal muscle insulin signaling (AKT, mTOR phosphorylation) increased. No change in body weight, fasting glucose, BP. Well tolerated.

    PMID 33888596

Reported side effects

Generally well-tolerated
Very common Mild · In Yoshino 2021 (n=25, 10 weeks), no significant adverse events. Igarashi 2022 (n=42 randomized, 20 completed, 12 weeks at 250 mg) reported no significant deleterious effects. Long-term safety beyond 12 weeks limited.
GI discomfort
Occasional Mild · Mild bloating or nausea reported anecdotally, especially at >1g/day.
Long-term effects unknown (>1 year)
Unknown Moderate · No human studies beyond 12 weeks. Theoretical concern about chronic CD38 substrate saturation or sirtuin pathway feedback effects; purely speculative.

Interactions

  • NR Redundant

    Both NAD+ precursors converging on the same pool. No proven additive benefit from stacking.

Storage

Refrigerate after opening to prevent degradation (NMN is somewhat hygroscopic and can degrade to nicotinamide if exposed to moisture/heat). Quality varies widely between vendors; third-party COA (HPLC purity ≥98%) recommended.