Humanin vs NAD+
A detailed comparison to help you understand the differences and choose the right peptide for your research goals.
Humanin
Humanin is a mitochondrial-derived peptide with potent cytoprotective effects. Discovered in 2001, it has shown promise in protecting against age-related diseases including Alzheimer's, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes.
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 | Humanin | NAD+ |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanism | Binds to IGFBP-3 and BAX, inhibiting apoptosis. Activates STAT3 signaling and enhances cellular survival under stress. Protects mitochondrial function and reduces oxidative stress. | 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 protocols vary widely. Studies have used doses from micrograms to milligrams depending on the analog and route. HNG (S14G-Humanin) is a more potent analog. | 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 | Subcutaneous or intraperitoneal injection in research. Various analogs exist with different potencies and stabilities. | 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 | Limited human data. Generally well-tolerated in animal studies. May affect glucose metabolism. | 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 |
What They Have in Common
Humanin, NAD+ are both commonly used for:
Key Differences
Unique to NAD+:
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