If you haven't heard of NADÂ (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide) yet, then rest assured you probably will by the end of 2025! Widely touted as this year's 'next big thing' in wellness, everyone from Kim Kardashian to Jennifer Aniston has been singing its praises for boosting energy and improving sleep. And if you're fed up with feeling drained, brain fog is driving you crazy, or you'd like to feel and look a bit younger, NAD might be the answer. But what exactly is it? Are NAD patches the most effective method of taking it? And – most importantly – do the promised NAD gains live up to the buzz?
What is NAD and why are NAD patches the best way to take it?
NAD is a coenzyme found in every single cell in your body that helps enzymes do their thing and supports thousands of bodily functions and processes. Including; helping to convert food into energy, repairing damaged DNA, and supporting brain function. As we age, our NAD levels go down, and by the time you've hit 40, you can expect your NAD levels to be half what they were when you were a child.
Some of the most obvious signs you've got lower levels of NAD are: fatigue, foggy thinking, dull and tired-looking skin, and struggling to sleep well. All things many people in mid-life and beyond regularly experience! If this sounds familiar it could be well worth trying one of our NAD patches (find here).
Taking NAD in patch form is better than oral supplements because none of the active ingredient is lost as it travels through your digestive system. Instead, it's delivered directly into your bloodstream, via the skin. NAD patches also deliver the magic ingredient gradually, throughout the day, so you won't get the energy crash you might experience with pills – where you take one big dose. Regular, small amounts of NAD are much easier for your body to use and you'll feel the benefit faster.
I've heard of NAD injections, wouldn't this be better than NAD patches?
NAD jabs might be the preferred method for Hollywood stars to bump up their levels, but might not be your best bet if you don't have an A-lister size wallet; with injections ranging from £300 – £2000 a pop! You'll also have to take time out of your day to travel to the clinic to have an injection administered. And probably have to wait around for a while afterwards to be monitored for any side effects. If you've got any kind of needle phobia this method is obviously a hard 'no' too.
Using NAD patches (find ours here) can help you access some of the incredible benefits this supplement offers, at a fraction of the price of regular injections (some practitioners suggest jabs every two weeks – so you can see how quickly this would add up!). But don't take our word for it, here's just one of the rave reviews our customers have been leaving about how well NAD patches work for them:
"I was VERY impressed by the NAD patches I ordered. Must admit I was sceptical. I had tried NAD in oral form and it never quite hit the mark. PatchWorks NAD patches are brilliant! Within an hour I had the most amazing energy levels I ever had in my life. By 3 pm I am usually very tired but these NAD patches gave me that extra super power. I now use the patches when I am run down. Or if I have had a bad night's sleep. These NAD patches never fail to perk me up! Well done for offering a very original product. Well worth the price tag."
Which PatchWorks NAD patches should I go for:
We currently sell two types of NAD patches to choose between: the PatchMD NAD Total Recovery patch and the Patch Aid NAD Plus patch. The main difference between the two is the Patch Aid version contains a higher amount of NAD (600mg compared to approximately 20mg in the PatchWorks patch). However, the NAD Total Recovery patch is more of a proprietary blend, packed with loads of other goodies to help you turn back the clock and feel your best. Including Inositol Hexanicotinate (great for boosting cellular health), antioxidant vitamin C, a vitamin B complex, CoQ10 (the so-called 'body's sparkplug'), Acetyl-L-Carnitine (shown to improve cognition and mood), PQQ (good for sleep, memory and energy levels), and so much more!
If you're keen to try NAD on its own, the Patch Aid patch might suit you best. Or, if you're after a more comprehensive vitamin patch, which also provides a range of other ingredients to support your health, the PatchWorks version is the one for you.
What kind of benefits might I enjoy:
1. Increased energy levels
NAD plays a key role in converting any food that you eat into energy. If you boost your NAD levels with one of our NAD patches, you're providing a helping hand to your cells that will allow them to function more efficiently. You'll feel the benefits of this improved call function in several ways: your fatigue will be reduced, and the NAD will provide a gentle energy boost throughout the day – kind of like caffeine, but without that jittery nervous energy some people can experience.
2. A great night's sleep
Nothing feels better than a solid 8 hours of snooze time, and numerous studies have shown that getting enough good quality sleep is essential for everything from mental sharpness to staying on top physical form. Research has shown NAD can have a positive effect on your Circadian rhythm (your sleeping pattern) and sleep in general, helping to improve your ability to fall asleep faster and get a deeper sleep. Just pop on one of our NAD patches, and it's 'goodnight' to feeling shattered and groggy every day!
3. Less brain fog
Brain fog can affect everything from performance at work to your social life (anyone else constantly forgetting people's names?!), but it doesn't have to be part of aging. Using NAD patches could help you sharpen up because NAD repairs your brain cells and promotes healthy neural connections. Many of our customers who try NAD report better focus, sharper thinking, and even a brighter, happier outlook after topping up their NAD levels. No more walking into a room and forgetting what you went in there for!
4. Anti-Aging
NAD's famed 'fountain of youth' effect isn't just about your brain – it can help you look younger too! NAD is essential for DNA repair and cell regeneration, but as your levels decline as you age your cells don't repair and replace themselves as efficiently. Leading to wrinkles, dull skin, and a reduced metabolism that can lead to weight gain. Supplementing with NAD can kickstart healthy cell regeneration and also activate sirtuins, a family of proteins believed to promote healthy aging.
5. Faster Recovery & reduced inflammation
Feel like it takes you so much longer to recover from illness these days? Or pulled muscles take forever to ease off? No, you're not just imagining it, this does happen as you get older. But thankfully NAD could help with this too! Research has shown that supplementing with NAD can help speed up muscle recovery and reduce inflammation in the body in general. Helping you to bounce back faster after that heavy gym session and providing relief from chronic pain or inflammatory conditions.
Is NAD worth the hype? That depends on how low your levels were in the first place, but judging by our happy customer reviews and some of the benefits they are enjoying, we'd say it's a resounding yes. The best way to find out? Try NAD patches for yourself here and make up your own mind.
