Epithalamin vs NAD+
A detailed comparison to help you understand the differences and choose the right peptide for your research goals.
Epithalamin
Epithalamin is a natural peptide extract from the pineal gland. It is the precursor compound from which the synthetic Epitalon was derived. Known for anti-aging and telomerase-activating properties.
Full details →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.
Full details →Side-by-Side Comparison
| Aspect | Epithalamin | NAD+ |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanism | Similar to Epitalon, it stimulates telomerase production and may help maintain telomere length. Also regulates melatonin synthesis and circadian rhythms. | 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 | Research dosing: 10-20mg daily for 10-20 day cycles. Often administered 1-3 times per year in long-term protocols. | 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 | Intramuscular or subcutaneous injection. Natural extract may have more variable composition than synthetic Epitalon. | 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 affect sleep patterns. Less characterized than synthetic Epitalon. | 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. |
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Key Differences
Unique to Epithalamin:
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