What’s the Difference Between BR+ NAD and NAD+ Therapy?

• October 8, 2024
• Written by :  Rebecca LaMarca, MSN, APN-BC, CNS

In recent years, NAD+ therapy and BR+ NAD therapy have gained popularity as possible treatment options for aging-related skin problems, chronic fatigue, substance use disorder, and other conditions. But are these two therapies the same? Not quite. Here’s what you should know about the difference between BR+ NAD and NAD+ therapy and how the expert-led team at IV Elements can connect you with personalized integrative care.  Disclaimer: BR+ NAD therapy is not FDA approved and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Consult your healthcare provider before treatment.

What is the science behind NAD IV therapy?

NAD IV therapy is an intravenous treatment in which a healthcare professional raises your NAD levels by injecting NAD right into your bloodstream. NAD, or nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, is a coenzyme that appears in every cell and plays an important role in energy production, DNA repair, and cell signaling. It’s called NAD+ when it’s oxidized and NADH when it’s reduced. It shuttles electrons between metabolic reactions to fuel cellular energy production. Along with driving energy production, NAD also supports the activity of important enzymes, including:

• sirtuins, which help regulate mitochondrial function, stress resistance, and aging-related processes
• PARPs, which use NAD to help repair DNA damage
• CD38/CD157 enzymes, which help regulate calcium signaling involved in neurotransmitter release

Your NAD levels drop as you get older. This may cause changes in cellular energy production and repair that make you more likely to have age-related health issues. That’s why many people get NAD IV therapy to support their wellness as they age.

What is BR+ NAD therapy?

BR+ NAD therapy is an IV protocol developed in 2001 at the Springfield Wellness Center in Springfield, Louisiana. Created by therapist Paula Norris Mestayer and physician Dr. Richard Mestayer, the protocol is “the most clinically validated and professionally administered NAD+ treatment model in the world.” The “BR” stands for “Brain Restoration” or “Brain Restoration Plus,” as the protocol was designed specifically for people looking to support brain function and emotional well-being.

BR+ NAD vs NAD+ therapy

While BR+ NAD therapy includes NAD infusion, it’s different from regular NAD IV therapy in a few key ways:

	Standard NAD+ IV	BR+ NAD
Formulation	NAD+ in saline	NAD+ + amino acids, vitamins, minerals
Protocol	Single sessions (1–4 hrs)	Multi-day program (3–7 days loading + maintenance)
Supervision	Varies by clinic	Fully supervised, medical screening every session
Designed for	General wellness, energy, aging	Brain restoration, recovery support
Available at IV Elements	✓	✓

Extra nutrients

The BR+ NAD IV protocol includes oral combinations of amino acids, vitamins, and minerals. These nutrients may support cellular energy metabolism and promote greater brain restoration compared to NAD alone. For example, B vitamins can help with mitochondrial energy production and neurotransmitter synthesis. Similarly, amino acids act as the building blocks for neurotransmitters and proteins, which could also help with brain health. In addition, the clinical team at IV Elements can enhance your BR+ NAD protocol with glutathione, an antioxidant that may improve mitochondrial function by reducing oxidative stress.

Specific dosing schedule

In traditional NAD IV therapy, the dosing schedule can vary greatly depending on the clinic. But BR+ NAD therapy follows a specific dosing schedule based on BR+ NAD research/clinical evidence and the patient’s individual needs. This evidence-based, personalized schedule can reduce side effects and keep patients as comfortable as possible. The protocol typically starts with daily infusions for 3-7 days to quickly raise your NAD levels. You’ll then switch to weekly maintenance sessions to keep your levels stable. Some people eventually get maintenance sessions only monthly or less, depending on their needs. You can learn more about BR+ NAD therapy schedules here.

Licensed supervision

Although some wellness clinics offer NAD IV therapy with low monitoring, all BR+ NAD therapy sessions are fully supervised by licensed medical staff. Each session starts with a medical screening to figure out your specific needs. During the session, staff closely monitor you for side effects so they can adjust the infusion rate if needed. Some people experience side effects like flushing, nausea, or chest tightness, and slowing the drip can quickly ease these symptoms. After the session, staff will make sure you’re comfortable, hydrated, and adjusting well to the additional NAD.

How does BR+ NAD work in the brain?

BR+ NAD may support brain function through four cellular mechanisms — energy production, cellular repair, stress resistance, and neurotransmitter health.

Energy production

Your brain cells rely on ATP (adenosine triphosphate) to communicate with each other, and mitochondria make ATP using pathways that need NAD. By increasing NAD and nutrients linked with energy production, BR+ NAD therapy might help brain cells get the energy they need to communicate, especially when the brain is aging or stressed.

Cellular repair

NAD activates enzymes like sirtuins and PARPs, which help with DNA repair and cellular maintenance. Because it boosts NAD levels and nutrients, BR+ NAD therapy might help your brain cells recover from damage, which can be especially important as you age.

Stress resistance

Oxidative stress and chronic inflammation have been linked with cognitive decline and neurological disorders. By lowering oxidative stress and helping to regulate inflammatory responses, BR+ NAD therapy may help your brain cells function in a healthier way.

Neurotransmitter function

NAD is involved in brain pathways that are linked to neurotransmitters like dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine, which help regulate mood, focus, and motivation. Because NAD and certain nutrients are involved in energy production and mitochondrial function, BR+ NAD therapy may help the brain cells responsible for neurotransmitter signaling stay healthy. Some researchers think this effect could support overall mental clarity, cognitive performance, and brain function.

How long is a BR+ NAD program?

BR+ NAD program length depends on the clinic and why you’re getting the treatment. At IV Elements, our certified nurses offer a three-day program for people who want benefits like improved energy and healthier aging. Each session lasts 3 hours or more, depending on your needs. We also offer individual sessions that last as little as 1.5 hours, which are often recommended for people trying BR+ NAD for the first time. In addition, we have longer-term programs for clients navigating recovery support, including:

• a 6-day program with sessions lasting 3 to 4 hours
• a 10-day program with sessions lasting over 5 hours
• a 15-day program with sessions lasting over 5 hours

We offer all of our programs at our New Jersey drip lounges and as a convenient in-home service.

Is BR+ NAD safe?

Yes, BR+ NAD therapy is generally safe when administered by a healthcare professional. As a leading BR+ NAD center in New Jersey, IV Elements specializes in providing evidence-based care from ER-trained nurses. Our clinical team also attended the Springfield Wellness Center 2020 NAD+ Brain Restoration Summit, where physicians, scientists, and practitioners discussed the latest research on delivering BR+ NAD IV therapy safely and effectively. You can learn more about the safety of BR+ NAD IV therapy in this guide.

Where can I get BR+ NAD in NJ?

You can get BR+ NAD therapy in New Jersey at IV Elements’ calming drip lounges in Hoboken, Asbury Park, Parsippany, and Marlton. Our certified nurses also offer in-home BR+ NAD therapy across NJ, NYC, and Philadelphia.

Book BR+ NAD therapy with IV Elements today

Now that you’ve had brain restoration therapy explained, you can start your BR+ NAD journey with the expert-led team at IV Elements. As proud members of the Physicians’ Association for Anthroposophic Medicine (PAAM) and attendees of the Springfield Wellness Center 2020 NAD+ Brain Restoration Summit, we’re committed to providing customized integrative care. Whether you book your session in-lounge or at your home, our certified nurses can help you boost your brain performance and make the most of each day. Schedule your infusion in NJ, NYC, or Philadelphia today!

Frequently Asked Questions

Who invented BR+ NAD?

BR+ NAD therapy was created by therapist Paula Norris Mestayer and physician Dr. Richard Mestayer at the Springfield Wellness Center in 2001.

Is BR+ NAD the same as a regular NAD drip?

No. Unlike a regular NAD drip, BR+ NAD therapy includes oral combinations of amino acids, vitamins, and minerals meant to further support cellular energy metabolism and brain restoration. It also follows a specific dosing schedule to reduce side effects and includes full supervision from licensed healthcare professionals.

Why is BR+ NAD used for addiction?

BR+ NAD was originally developed to support brain restoration during recovery from substance use challenges. Early research and clinical case series suggest the protocol may support cellular and metabolic factors involved in the recovery process.

How does BR+ NAD interact with medications?

While more research is needed, BR+ NAD may have negative interactions with certain medications due to its effects on processes like metabolism, blood pressure, and glucose handling. These medications include:

• blood pressure medications, which may cause dizziness or lightheadedness from low blood pressure
• diabetes medications, which can affect blood sugar response
• statins, which may affect liver metabolism
• immunosuppressants, which BR+ NAD may interfere with due to its effects on immune signaling
• vitamin B3 supplements, which can increase side effects like nausea and headache

How much does BR+ NAD therapy cost in NJ?

The price of BR+ NAD therapy in NJ can vary depending on the provider and your specific needs. You can explore IV Elements’ BR+ NAD therapy pricing here.

References

1. Boost Energy & Mitochondrial Function with BR + NAD Therapy. (2025, November 7). IV Elements. https://ivelements.net/nad-therapy
2. Hawkins, J., Idoine, R., Kwon, J., Shao, A., Dunne, E., Hawkins, E., Dawson, K., & Nkrumah-Elie, Y. (2024). Randomized, placebo-controlled, pilot clinical study evaluating acute Niagen®+ IV and NAD+ IV in healthy adults. medRxiv. https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.06.06.24308565
3. Braidy, N., Berg, J., Clement, J., Khorshidi, F., Poljak, A., Jayasena, T., Grant, R., & Sachdev, P. (2019). Role of Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide and Related Precursors as Therapeutic Targets for Age-Related Degenerative Diseases: Rationale, Biochemistry, Pharmacokinetics, and Outcomes. Antioxidants & Redox Signaling, 30(2), 251–294. https://doi.org/10.1089/ars.2017.7269
4. BR+ NAD®. (2025, July 17). Springfield Wellness Center. https://springfieldwellnesscenter.com/brplusnad/
5. Institute of Medicine (US) Standing Committee on the Scientific Evaluation of Dietary Reference Intakes and its Panel on Folate, Other B Vitamins, and Choline. (1998). The B Vitamins and Choline: Overview and Methods. In Dietary Reference Intakes for Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin, Vitamin B6, Folate, Vitamin B12, Pantothenic Acid, Biotin, and Choline. National Academies Press (US). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK114324/
6. Cleveland Clinic. (2021, December 22). Amino Acids. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/22243-amino-acids
7. How Often Should You Get NAD IV Therapy? (2023, November 14). IV Elements. https://ivelements.net/blog/how-often-should-you-get-nad-iv-therapy
8. Franzoni, F., Scarfò, G., Guidotti, S., Fusi, J., Asomov, M., & Pruneti, C. (2021). Oxidative Stress and Cognitive Decline: The Neuroprotective Role of Natural Antioxidants. Frontiers in Neuroscience, 15. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2021.729757
9. What Side Effects To Expect During NAD Treatments. (2023, December 7). IV Elements. https://ivelements.net/blog/does-nad-therapy-have-side-effects
10. Blum, K., Han, D., Baron, D., Kazmi, S., Elman, I., Gomez, L. L., Gondre-Lewis, M. C., Thanos, P. K., Braverman, E. R., & Badgaiyan, R. D. (2022). Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NAD+) and Enkephalinase Inhibition (IV1114589NAD) Infusions Significantly Attenuate Psychiatric Burden Sequalae in Substance Use Disorder (SUD) in Fifty Cases. Current Psychiatry Research and Reviews, 18(2), 125–143. https://doi.org/10.2174/2666082218666220527114427

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