Chest pressure, warmth, nausea: what an NAD IV session feels like, why the drip runs slowly, and how Vitality BioMed in Calgary keeps you comfortable.

An NAD IV session feels like this: a quick pinch, then a slow drip in which you may notice chest pressure, warmth, or nausea that eases when the nurse slows the rate. It is a different experience from a standard vitamin drip, and knowing why makes it far easier to sit through. Here is what to expect before, during, and after a session at Vitality BioMed in Calgary, and what the research says.

A quick refresher: what NAD+ is

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) is a coenzyme in every living cell that shuttles electrons through the reactions that make ATP and feeds the enzymes (sirtuins, PARPs, CD38) that govern DNA repair and gene expression. Tissue NAD+ falls with age, driven in part by rising CD38 activity and heavier PARP demand, according to a 2021 review in Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology. That decline is the rationale for NAD IV therapy; we cover the biology in NAD IV After 30.

Before the drip: consultation and preparation

At Vitality BioMed, every IV patient starts with a consultation with our naturopathic doctor, Dr. Cheryl Cooper, ND, or a shorter IV-only intake if you are already under the care of another naturopath. This is where we screen for allergies, medications, and supplements that could interfere, and rule out contraindications. NAD IV is not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding or for anyone allergic to NAD or related compounds; people with significant kidney or liver disease or certain cardiovascular conditions need physician advice first.

Two steps make the session more comfortable:

• Arrive hydrated. It helps prevent light-headedness.
• Eat a protein-rich meal or snack beforehand. It matters more for NAD than other IVs because nausea is a known in-session effect.

During the infusion: what you will feel

The needle itself is a brief pinch. Our nursing team places the cannula and you settle into a reclining chair with calming music. The difference with NAD IV is what happens over the next two hours or so.

Common sensations

Because NAD+ is infused directly into the bloodstream, it can produce a cluster of transient sensations reported in small studies and clinic experience. In a 2024 randomized, placebo-controlled pilot study (a preprint, not yet peer reviewed) of 500 mg NAD+ IV in healthy adults over 40, participants described:

• Chest tightness or pressure, often paired with feeling “a little woozy”
• Warmth or hot flashes, sometimes with facial flushing
• Nausea or an unsettled stomach, and abdominal cramping
• A sudden urge to use the washroom; roughly half of the NAD+ group had a bowel movement during the infusion
• Headache, muscle tightness, or muscle weakness
• Mild anxiety

The study found no significant differences in vital signs between groups and no adverse events attributed to the infusion over 14 days of follow-up; our nurses still monitor you throughout. The useful finding for patients is that symptoms resolved once the infusion finished, and that tolerance was “variable and individual.” Some people feel almost nothing; others need the drip slowed several times.

Why the rate matters

The acute sensations during an NAD drip are rate-dependent. Push the drip faster and the chest pressure and nausea climb; slow it down and they fade, often within minutes. This is why NAD cannot be run like a one-hour Myers cocktail. The 2019 Grant et al. pharmacokinetic study in Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience infused 750 mg over six hours at just 2 mg per minute specifically to avoid adverse effects. In the 2024 pilot, NAD+ IV sessions averaged about three hours when participants controlled the rate, ranging from under two hours to over four and a half.

At Vitality BioMed, we handle this two ways. First, we typically start with a lower dose so your body can adapt before moving to a stronger one. Second, the drip is a slow, monitored infusion of approximately two hours, and our nurses adjust the rate the moment you report discomfort. Tell us early.

Making the time useful

Bring a book or headphones, wear loose sleeves, and use the washroom before you start. You can add oxygen therapy or light therapy, during the session.

After the session

The in-session sensations should be gone before you leave. Some patients report more energy and less brain fog within hours, better sleep that night, and a sense of reset lasting a week or two. It is worth being candid about the evidence here: those reports are subjective. The Grant study confirmed that IV NAD+ raises plasma NAD+ and its metabolites, but did not measure clinical outcomes. The 2024 pilot found that a single 500 mg NAD+ infusion did not significantly raise whole-blood NAD+ within 24 hours, and flagged a rise in neutrophils that may indicate a short-lived inflammatory response. There are no large outcome trials for NAD IV in wellness or anti-aging. Our view is that NAD is a reasonable tool inside a broader root-cause plan, not a standalone fix, and we say so during the consultation.

Drink water and eat afterward. Anything that persists or worries you after you leave warrants a call to the clinic.

How NAD IV compares to a standard nutrient drip

If you have had our Myers cocktail or Vitality IV before, expect NAD to feel more intense and take roughly twice as long. Standard nutrient IVs at our clinic run around one hour and are typically uneventful. For a side-by-side on who each drip suits, see NAD IV vs. Myers Cocktail. If the in-session sensations are a concern, lower-dose NAD injections and IV add-ons are available, and oral supplements are another option with their own trade-offs.

Cost and booking in Calgary

Single NAD IV sessions at Vitality BioMed start at $225, varying with dose and session length. We are located at #280, 7015 Macleod Trail SW, with Thursday evening and Saturday appointment availability; new patients can book a complimentary 15-minute consultation through our contact page or by calling 403-300-1698. Our clinical team includes a naturopathic doctor, a functional medicine physician, and registered nurses who administer every infusion.

Frequently asked questions

Does NAD IV therapy hurt?

The needle is a brief pinch. The infusion itself does not hurt, but chest pressure, warmth, and nausea are common while the drip runs. They usually ease within minutes once the rate is slowed.

How long does an NAD IV take?

Approximately two hours at Vitality BioMed, longer for higher doses or if the rate needs to be slowed. In research settings, 500 mg infusions averaged about three hours and a 750 mg protocol ran six hours.

Can I drive home afterward?

Ask your nurse before you leave. If you feel woozy or nauseated at the end of the session, stay in the chair until it passes; our team will not rush you out.

Who should not get NAD IV?

NAD IV is not recommended if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or allergic to NAD or related compounds. If you have significant kidney or liver disease or certain cardiovascular conditions, you need physician advice first. Our consultation screens for these.

How often should I get NAD IV?

Frequency is individualized after your health review and depends on your goals and how you tolerate the first session. See How Often Should You Get IV Therapy?