NMN vs NAD+

NMN is a building block that the body uses to make NAD+, a coenzyme found in every cell. Both are taken as supplements and neither is approved as a drug in the US or EU, and both have small studies in people and many more in animals and cells. This page compares their results.

Best randomized result by outcome

For each outcome that two or more peptides have results for: the best result of a single randomized trial, on the same measure (the same kind of number, the same unit). When a trial has several dose arms, the cell shows the highest dose arm. The trials differ in people, length and dose, so a gap between two cells is not proof that one peptide works better.

No outcome has a randomized-trial result on the same measure for two or more of these peptides yet.

Outcomes with a randomized result for one peptide only (1 outcome)

The other peptides have no randomized result on the same measure, so these results cannot be set side by side.

Outcomes with a randomized result for one peptide only: NMN (nicotinamide mononucleotide), NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide)
Outcome	NMN (nicotinamide mononucleotide)	NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide)
Heart functionCardiovascularCompared as: difference from placebo, in unitless	No randomized trial result 56 results from other study designs.	0.024 unitless P value for LVEF comparison Dose studied: 10 mg/day7 daysn = 1802026

Heart functionCardiovascularCompared as: difference from placebo, in unitless
- NMN (nicotinamide mononucleotide)
  No randomized trial result
  56 results from other study designs.
- NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide)
  0.024 unitless
  P value for LVEF comparison
  Dose studied: 10 mg/day7 daysn = 1802026

Comparing 2 records · Data version 308560

Only differences

Swipe sideways to see every peptide.

Comparison of NMN (nicotinamide mononucleotide), NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide)
Peptide	Small molecule Not a peptideNMN (nicotinamide mononucleotide)	Small molecule Not a peptideNAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide)
Identity
Kind	Small molecule	Small molecule
Area	Longevity and mitochondria	Longevity and mitochondria
Evidence
Amount of evidence	1,513 (plus 2 on natural levels, listed separately)	338 (plus 34 on natural levels, listed separately)
Evidence level	Has results from studies in people	Has results from studies in people
Safety
Safety results	64 (35 in people)	13 (12 in people)
Status
Approval
Sport (WADA)
Registered trials	19 · 8 active14 more mention it but do not test it	16 · 10 active35 more mention it but do not test it

Shared outcomes

Receptor activity and mechanism253
Sex hormones and fertility169
Mitochondrial function168
Neuroprotection161
Inflammation markers143
Pharmacokinetics52
Adverse events48
Heart function119
Exercise and physical function37
Immune response62
Kidney function50
Liver fat and liver function42

Approval and sport status

From the regulatory data of each peptide.

NMN (nicotinamide mononucleotide)
Its most advanced trial is in phase 2. The FDA, the EMA and the other sources we use show no approval (as of 21 Oct 2026).
NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide)
No FDA approval and no central EU authorisation (EMA).

Amount of evidence by outcome

Outcome groups with study results for at least two of these peptides. Counts include only results from studies that gave the peptide. Bar length is the number of results, on one scale. The bars show how much was studied, not how large an effect was. A peptide with more studies can look stronger here without being stronger. For results, see the randomized results above.

Study results per shared outcome group and evidence class
Outcome group	NMN (nicotinamide mononucleotide)	NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide)
Receptor activity and mechanismWhole body	2138135655	4011920
Sex hormones and fertilityReproductive and sexual health	16513530	44
Mitochondrial functionWhole body	143104381	25916
NeuroprotectionNervous system and cognition	1028715	593524
Inflammation markersWhole body	131391361	12111
PharmacokineticsWhole body	32248	208210
Adverse eventsWhole body	4328132	55
Heart functionCardiovascular	561523	6372630
Exercise and physical functionWhole body	33258	44
Immune responseSkin and wound	4413661	18117
Kidney functionKidney and urinary	454365	514
Liver fat and liver functionLiver	251222	17377

Trials side by side

Registered trials, ranked by phase (late phases first), then posted results and enrollment. Status is the registry status. Study results come from published studies. Results posted at ClinicalTrials.gov are shown on each trial page.

NMN (nicotinamide mononucleotide)19 registered trials

Top 3 of 19 trials, ranked by phase, then posted results and enrollment: 1 ongoing · 1 completed · source ClinicalTrials.gov (opens in a new tab)

Status unknownPhase 4NCT04903210

Nicotinamide Mononucleotide in Hypertensive Patients

First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University20 participants1 Jun 2021 to est. 31 Jul 2022

Hypertension

Trial page ClinicalTrials.gov

RecruitingPhase 2NCT06991712

Comparisons of NAD Precursors for Neuroenhancement in Glaucoma Patients

Christopher Kai Shun Leung138 participants19 May 2025 to est. 31 Dec 2026

Glaucoma

Trial page ClinicalTrials.gov

CompletedPhase 1/2NCT05882214

Metabolic Changes Induced by NMN in Healthy Subjects With Acute Binge Drink

Zhejiang Chinese Medical University22 participants1 May 2024 to 6 Apr 2025

Binge Drinking · Liver Injury · Nutritional Supplementation · Hepatic Steatosis

Trial page ClinicalTrials.gov

14 more mention it but do not test it. They only measure it or name it in their text.

NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide)16 registered trials

Top 3 of 16 trials, ranked by phase, then posted results and enrollment: 1 ongoing · 1 not yet recruiting · source ClinicalTrials.gov (opens in a new tab)

Status unknownPhase 4NCT06590844