What are the main ways to increase NAD+ levels in the body?

NAD+ levels can be increased through supplementation with precursors like NR or NMN, or through direct intravenous infusion of NAD+. Huberman personally uses NR and NMN supplements for energy.

What is Andrew Huberman's personal experience with NR and NMN supplements?

Huberman takes NR (500mg) and sublingual NMN (1-2g) daily, not for lifespan extension, but because he subjectively experiences sustained mental and physical energy throughout the day. He notes a decrement in energy when he stops taking them.

Are NAD+ infusions effective and comfortable?

Huberman found NAD+ infusions (500-1000mg) to be uncomfortable, causing nausea and chest/leg pressure initially, but he felt much better afterward with improved sleep and vigor. He notes that the infusions are expensive and usually administered earlier in the day to avoid sleep disruption.

Why does Andrew Huberman not take Metformin or Berberine for longevity?

Huberman does not take Metformin as he believes current data doesn't sufficiently support its use for increasing lifespan. He avoids Berberine because it consistently gives him severe headaches, likely due to its blood glucose-lowering effects.

What role does Rapamycin play in longevity research?

Rapamycin targets the mTOR pathway and is being investigated for its potential to extend lifespan, with research including studies on dogs. However, Huberman currently avoids it due to insufficient data for lifespan extension and potential side effects.

What are the most fundamental factors for a long and quality life?

Huberman emphasizes that the foundation of longevity lies in the basics: sufficient quality sleep, quality exercise (Zone 2 cardio, VO2 max, resistance training), good nutrition, strong social connections, stress modulation, and morning sunlight exposure to set circadian rhythms.

Key Moments

AMA #12: Thoughts on Longevity Supplements (Resveratrol, NR, NMN, Etc.) & How to Improve Memory

Andrew Huberman

Science & Technology3 min read30 min video

Oct 31, 2023|308,731 views|5,682|483

andrew huberman huberman lab podcast huberman podcast dr. andrew huberman neuroscience huberman lab andrew huberman podcast the huberman lab podcast science podcast

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Key Moments

TL;DR

Huberman discusses longevity supplements, noting resveratrol's lack of lifespan impact, but finds NR/NMN useful for energy. He cautions against Metformin/Rapamycin for longevity due to insufficient human data.

Key Insights

Resveratrol is unlikely to extend human lifespan, despite past claims; grape seed extract is taken for vascular health, not longevity.

NR and NMN supplementation may subjectively increase energy levels, but direct evidence for lifespan extension in humans is currently lacking.

NAD+ infusions can provide short-term vigor but are uncomfortable, expensive, and lack extensive scientific backing for longevity.

Metformin and Berberine are not recommended for longevity due to insufficient human data and potential side effects like headaches.

Rapamycin shows promise in research but is not recommended for longevity at this time due to its side effect profile and lack of definitive human proof.

Foundational health practices like quality sleep, exercise (Zone 2 cardio, VO2 max, resistance training), nutrition, stress management, and social connection are far more impactful for longevity than any supplement or drug.

RESVERATROL AND LONGEVITY CLAIMS

The discussion begins with Resveratrol, a supplement once believed to significantly extend lifespan by influencing cellular pathways. However, current scientific consensus, as of 2023, indicates a lack of direct evidence supporting Resveratrol's ability to increase human lifespan. While it might offer cellular benefits, its longevity claims are largely debunked. The speaker does, however, take grape seed extract, which contains Resveratrol, for its positive effects on vascular function and blood flow, viewing it as a low-cost general health insurance policy, not a longevity enhancer.

NAD+ PRECURSORS: NR AND NMN FOR ENERGY

Focus shifts to NAD+ pathways, with NR (Nicotinamide Riboside) and NMN (Nicotinamide Mononucleotide) as precursors. The theory is that increasing intracellular NAD+ might extend lifespan, but evidence in humans remains unclear. The speaker personally takes 500mg of NR and 1-2g of sublingual NMN daily, not for lifespan extension, but for a subjective increase in sustained mental and physical energy throughout the day, which tapers off effectively by evening. He highlights that NMN's supplement status is complicated by its consideration as an experimental drug.

NAD+ INFUSIONS AND SUBJECTIVE EFFECTS

Intravenous NAD+ infusions are presented as a direct method to increase cellular NAD+ levels. The speaker shares personal experience with two NAD+ infusions, describing them as profoundly uncomfortable, with symptoms like nausea and chest pressure, though these effects typically pass. After the infusion, he subjectively felt significantly better, experiencing improved vigor and sleep, especially when feeling rundown. Despite these positive subjective outcomes, he notes NAD+ infusions are expensive, inconvenient, and lack clinical trial backing for general vitality enhancement.

METFORMIN AND BERBERINE FOR LONGEVITY

The conversation addresses Metformin and Berberine, often discussed in longevity circles for their effects on blood glucose and the mTOR pathway. The speaker states he does not take Metformin, citing a lack of sufficient human data for lifespan extension and referencing discussions with experts like Dr. Peter Attia. Berberine is also avoided due to the severe headaches it causes him, a potential side effect of blood glucose reduction. While these compounds impact cellular growth pathways (like mTOR), their direct benefit for lifespan in humans is not considered proven by the speaker.

RAPAMYCIN AND THE mTOR PATHWAY

Rapamycin, a drug targeting the mTOR pathway (involved in cell growth), is another subject. While it's under active research for longevity by scientists like Matt Kaeberlein and discussed by figures such as Dr. Peter Attia, the speaker currently does not take it. His reasoning is that the data supporting its use for increasing lifespan in healthy individuals is not yet sufficient to outweigh its known potential side effects. He sees its primary value in its approved medical uses, such as cancer treatment, rather than as a proactive longevity supplement.

THE SUPREMACY OF FUNDAMENTAL HEALTH PRACTICES

Crucially, the speaker emphasizes that no supplement or drug can match the profound impact of foundational health practices on longevity and quality of life. These include sufficient quality sleep, consistent and varied exercise (Zone 2 cardio, VO2 max, resistance training), optimal nutrition, effective stress modulation, strong social connections, and morning sunlight exposure for circadian rhythm regulation. These lifestyle pillars are presented as the true bedrock of health and longevity, far more significant than any pill or infusion.

Mentioned in This Episode

●Supplements

●Organizations

●Concepts

●People Referenced

Common Questions

Current evidence suggests that while Resveratrol may have some positive cellular effects, there is very little direct proof that it can extend human lifespan. Andrew Huberman takes grape seed extract, related to Resveratrol, for vascular health, not lifespan.

Topics

Sleep Optimization Health & Longevity Neuroscience & the Brain Exercise Protocols MTOR Pathway NAD+ Metabolism Longevity Supplements Energy Levels Supplement Safety Lifespan Research

Mentioned in this video

Organizations

Stanford School of Medicine

Institution where Andrew Huberman is a professor.

Huberman Lab Podcast

A podcast where Andrew Huberman discusses science and science-based tools for everyday life.

FDA

The US Food and Drug Administration, which has made NMN unavailable as a supplement due to its filing as an experimental drug.

Tiny Foundation

A foundation that agrees to match dollar-for-dollar all funds raised for research through the Huberman Lab premium channel.

Supplements

grape seed extract

Taken by Andrew Huberman for vascular function and blood flow, believed to contain resveratrol.

NAD

A molecule crucial for cellular energetics, discussed in the context of supplementation (NR, NMN) and intravenous infusion for energy and vitality.

Berberine

A compound that lowers blood glucose and impacts mTOR; Huberman avoids it due to causing severe headaches.

Resveratrol

Discussed as a potential longevity supplement, but current evidence suggests it does not extend lifespan, though it may have other health benefits.

A precursor to NAD+, taken by Huberman for sustained energy, though not for lifespan extension.

NMN

A precursor to NAD+, discussed as potentially less effective than NR and facing FDA regulatory challenges as a supplement.

People

David Sinclair

An expert who debates and discusses the fine points of NAD+ pathways and their relation to lifespan.

Andrew Huberman

Host of the Huberman Lab podcast, professor of neurobiology and ophthalmology at Stanford School of Medicine.

Charles Brenner

An expert who debates and discusses the fine points of NAD+ pathways and their relation to lifespan.

Matt Kaeberlein

An expert who debates NAD+ pathways and researches Rapamycin for lifespan extension, including a dog longevity project.

Peter Attia

A colleague whose work on Metformin and longevity is referenced; known for discussing supplements and longevity.

Drugs & Medications

Rapamycin

A drug investigated for its ability to extend lifespan, targeting the mTOR pathway. Huberman does not currently take it due to data insufficiency for lifespan extension and potential side effects.

Metformin

A drug discussed for its potential to lower blood glucose and impact mTOR, but not taken by Huberman due to insufficient lifespan data and potential side effects.

Concepts

mTOR

Mammalian Target of Rapamycin, a pathway abundant in developing and growing cells, targeted by drugs like Metformin and Rapamycin for potential lifespan extension influences.