Cerebrolysin vs NAD+

A detailed comparison to help you understand the differences and choose the right peptide for your research goals.

Cerebrolysin

Cerebrolysin is a mixture of low-molecular-weight neuropeptides and free amino acids derived from purified pig brain proteins. It is approved in many countries for stroke, traumatic brain injury, and dementia.

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NAD+

Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NAD+) is an essential coenzyme found in every living cell. It plays a central role in energy metabolism, DNA repair, gene expression, and cellular signaling. NAD+ levels naturally decline with age, and restoring them has become a major focus of longevity research. Injectable NAD+ bypasses the GI tract for higher bioavailability compared to oral precursors like NMN or NR.

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Side-by-Side Comparison

Aspect	Cerebrolysin	NAD+
Dose Range	2150 mg–4300 mg	20 mg–120 mg
Frequency	1x daily	Less than daily
Cycle Length	1–2 weeks	4–12 weeks
Route	intramuscular	subcutaneous
Mechanism	Contains multiple neurotrophic factors that promote neuroplasticity, reduce neuronal apoptosis, and support synaptic function. Has both neurotrophic and neuroprotective properties.	NAD+ is a critical substrate for sirtuins (SIRT1-7), a family of enzymes involved in DNA repair, inflammation regulation, and mitochondrial function. It also serves as a coenzyme for PARP enzymes (involved in DNA damage repair) and CD38 (involved in immune cell signaling). By directly replenishing cellular NAD+ pools, injectable NAD+ supports mitochondrial electron transport chain function, enhances ATP production, and activates longevity-associated pathways.
Typical Dosage	Clinical dosing: 10-30ml IV daily for acute conditions. Research use: 5-10ml IM daily for cognitive enhancement. Treatment courses typically last 10-20 days.	Subcutaneous injection, typically 2–3 times per week. Start low and escalate: Twice per week protocol: Week 1: 20 mg (0.1 ml), Week 2: 40 mg (0.2 ml), Week 3+: 120 mg maintenance (0.6 ml). Three times per week protocol (e.g. Mon/Wed/Fri): Week 1: 20 mg (0.1 ml), Week 2: 40 mg (0.2 ml), Week 3+: 80 mg maintenance (0.4 ml). Volumes above assume 200 mg/ml concentration (100 mg vial reconstituted with 0.5 ml BAC water). Inject slowly — rapid administration increases flushing and nausea. Avoid back-to-back injection days. IV infusion (clinical setting): 250–750 mg per session over 2–4 hours.
Administration	Administered via intramuscular or intravenous injection. IV administration is typically used in clinical settings. IM can be used for research purposes.	Subcutaneous injection is the most practical route for self-administration. Inject slowly — rapid administration increases side effects (flushing, chest tightness, nausea). Some users split larger doses across multiple daily injections to improve tolerance. IV infusions provide the highest bioavailability but require a clinical setting. Store reconstituted NAD+ refrigerated and protect from light. NAD+ solutions are pH-sensitive; use bacteriostatic water for reconstitution.
Side Effects	Generally well-tolerated. May cause dizziness, headache, sweating, or injection site reactions. Rare cases of agitation or confusion.	Flushing and warmth (very common, especially at higher doses or fast injection rates). Nausea and mild GI discomfort. Chest tightness or pressure during injection (usually transient). Injection site pain or redness. Headache. These side effects are typically dose-dependent and diminish with slower administration and repeated use.
Best For	Recovery & Healing Cognitive Performance	Anti-Aging & Longevity Cognitive Performance Recovery & Healing