Epithalon vs NAD+
A tiny but mighty four-amino-acid peptide that activates your body's telomerase enzyme—essentially helping your cells hit the 'reset' button on aging by protecting and lengthening the protective caps on your chromosomes [1][2].
Your cells' master energy currency and anti-aging powerhouse—NAD+ keeps your mitochondria humming, activates longevity genes called sirtuins, and helps repair DNA damage that accumulates as you get older.
Written by Michael Carroll — Owner, Director of Research · Reviewed by the Peptide Initiative Research Team · Editorial standards
Quick comparison
Dose range
Epithalon
5–10 mg
NAD+
500–500 mg
Frequency
Epithalon
Once daily
NAD+
Once daily
Administration
Epithalon
Subcutaneous injection
NAD+
Oral (NR or NMN precursors)
Cycle length
Epithalon
4-6 weeks
NAD+
Ongoing/indefinite
Onset speed
Epithalon
Gradual (3-4 weeks)
NAD+
Moderate (1-2 weeks)
Evidence level
Epithalon
Limited human trials
NAD+
Moderate human trials (Phase 1-2)
Benefit ratings
Telomere Protection
Sleep Quality
Cellular Longevity
Cellular Energy
Longevity Support
Brain Function
Compound specifications
Epithalon
Molecular formula
C14H22N4O9
Molecular weight
390.35 g/mol
Half-life
2-4 hours (estimated)
Bioavailability
High when injected subcutaneously
CAS number
307297-39-8
NAD+
Molecular formula
C21H27N7O14P2
Molecular weight
663.4 g/mol
Half-life
1-2 hours (plasma); tissue levels persist longer
Bioavailability
Variable by route: ~30% oral (precursors), ~100% IV
CAS number
53-84-9
Dosing compared
Epithalon
Sublingual or parabulbar
0.5 mg (sublingual) / 5.0 micrograms per eye (parabulbar)
Once daily · 20 days (sublingual) or 10 days (parabulbar)
Source class: clinical trial protocol. These are the only two human uses of the synthetic tetrapeptide Epitalon identified in a 2025 peer-reviewed review: 5.0 micrograms per eye injected parabulbarly for 10 consecutive days in retinitis pigmentosa, and 0.5 mg per day sublingually for 20 days in a circadian rhythm study [3]. The same review states that toxicity studies needed before approval as an active ingredient have not been done [3].
Subcutaneous
5-10 mg
Once daily · 10-20 day course, repeated 1-3 times per year
Source class: community practice, not peer-reviewed. No published human study has given the synthetic tetrapeptide Epitalon by subcutaneous or intramuscular injection at any dose. This figure is 10 to 20 times the only systemic human dose reported for the synthetic peptide, which is 0.5 mg per day sublingually [3]. It is often attributed to Khavinson's Russian clinical work, but that work used Epithalamin, the pineal gland extract, rather than the synthetic peptide [6][8].
NAD+
Oral
250 mg NR or NMN
Once daily · 4-8 weeks
Lower end of trial-validated oral precursor dosing; NMN 250-900 mg/day and NR from 250 mg/day raise blood NAD+ [1][6].
500 mg NR or NMN
Once or twice daily · Ongoing
500 mg twice daily NR raised PBMC NAD+ ~60% in a randomized placebo-controlled trial in older adults [1][4].
Intravenous
500 mg NAD+ in 500 mL saline
Per infusion — run time is the critical setting, not the milligrams · Studied as 4 consecutive days; no established schedule
Source class: clinical practice. The milligrams alone do not describe this dose; the published studies also state how fast it went in. In the tolerability study, all 6 people (6 of 6, 100%) receiving 500 mg reported moderate to severe abdominal cramping, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, increased heart rate, throat pain, congestion and chest pressure during infusion, against 5 of 8 reporting minor tingling and mild cramping on nicotinamide riboside. Participants set their own rate by tolerance; average total infusion time was 97 minutes for NAD+ and 37 minutes for NR [6]. A separate study infused NAD+ at 3 micromoles per minute over 6 hours [7]. Three hours after infusion, blood NAD+ was significantly higher in the NR group than the NAD+ group [6].
Best suited for
Epithalon
Longevity Enthusiasts
If you're serious about healthy aging and want to support your cells at the deepest level, Epithalon targets one of the fundamental mechanisms of cellular aging—telomere shortening [1][2]. It's like giving your cells' protective caps a little extra reinforcement.
Sleep Quality Seekers
Epithalon helps regulate melatonin production by supporting your pineal gland [3]. Many users report better sleep quality and more consistent sleep-wake cycles, especially those who've noticed their sleep getting worse with age.
Those Concerned About Oxidative Stress
Beyond its telomere effects, Epithalon acts as an antioxidant [5]. If you're exposed to environmental stressors, have a demanding lifestyle, or simply want extra cellular protection, this peptide offers multiple mechanisms of support.
Immune System Support (Age-Related)
As we age, our immune system naturally weakens—a process called immunosenescence. Research suggests Epithalon may help maintain immune function by supporting the thymus and immune cell health, potentially keeping your defenses stronger as you age [7].
NAD+
Healthy Aging Enthusiasts
NAD+ levels naturally decline 50% or more by middle age, and this drop is linked to many signs of aging. Boosting NAD+ helps maintain the cellular repair and energy production that keeps you feeling vital. It's like refilling your cells' gas tanks.
Brain Health Seekers
Your brain is an energy hog—it uses about 20% of your body's energy despite being only 2% of your weight. NAD+ supports the mitochondria that power your neurons, and research shows promising effects on cognitive function and neuroprotection.
Athletes and Active People
Every time you exercise, your muscles burn through NAD+ to produce energy. Boosting your NAD+ levels may help with recovery, endurance, and maintaining muscle function as you age. Many athletes notice improved workout recovery.
Metabolic Support Seekers
NAD+ plays a central role in how your body processes fats and sugars. Research shows it may help support healthy blood sugar levels, improve insulin sensitivity, and support weight management efforts when combined with a healthy lifestyle.
Side effects
Epithalon
Common
- Injection site redness
- Mild headache
- Temporary fatigue
Uncommon
- Vivid dreams
- Sleep pattern changes
Serious
- Allergic reaction
NAD+
Common
- Flushing and warmth
- Digestive upset
- Mild headache
Uncommon
- Increased energy or restlessness
- Vivid dreams
Serious
- Chest tightness during IV infusion
Safety & evidence
Epithalon
Evidence level
Limited human trials
FDA status
Research compound
Safety overview
Two different substances share this page's name, and almost all of the human data belongs to the older one. Epithalamin is an extract of the pineal gland. Epitalon (also written Epithalon, sequence Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly) is the synthetic four-amino-acid peptide later identified within it [4]. The long-term human studies people cite for this compound used **Epithalamin, the extract** — not the synthetic peptide. Those studies report the outcomes plainly. In 266 elderly people followed 6-8 years, mortality in the Epithalamin group fell 1.6-1.8-fold against control [6]. In a separate 12-year randomised study in elderly patients with coronary disease, deaths in the epithalamine group were 28% lower than control on the same basic therapy, and cardiovascular mortality was 2-fold lower [8]. For the synthetic peptide itself, a 2025 peer-reviewed review identifies only two human uses: 5.0 micrograms per eye injected parabulbarly for 10 consecutive days in retinitis pigmentosa, and 0.5 mg per day sublingually for 20 days in a circadian rhythm study [3]. That same review states that before Epitalon could be approved as a new active ingredient, further studies of short- and long-term toxicity are essential, including genotoxicity, carcinogenic potential and food-drug interactions [3]. Reported side effects across this literature are limited to mild injection site reactions. Nearly all of it comes from one research group in Russia [3][6].
Contraindications
- Pregnancy or planning to become pregnant
- Currently breastfeeding
- Active cancer or history of cancer
- Known allergy to peptide components
- Children and adolescents
NAD+
Evidence level
Moderate human trials (Phase 1-2)
FDA status
Not FDA approved
Safety overview
Two different things are sold as "NAD+": the molecule itself, given by IV, and its oral precursors nicotinamide riboside (NR) and nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN). The published evidence for them is separate. Oral NR has been through randomised trials. A double-blind safety trial in Parkinson's disease tested high-dose NR [3]. Trials have also been run in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction [4] and in older adults with peripheral artery disease [5]. For NAD+ given by IV, one published study compared it directly against NR. Six people received 500 mg of NAD+ by IV and eight received 500 mg of NR, on four consecutive days. All 6 in the NAD+ group (6 of 6) reported moderate to severe abdominal cramping, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, increased heart rate, throat pain, congestion and chest pressure during infusion. Five of the 8 in the NR group reported minor tongue, jaw and arm tingling and mild cramping. All symptoms resolved when the infusion finished. Over 30 days, ALT, AST, hsCRP, BUN/creatinine and TSH did not change significantly; alkaline phosphatase fell significantly in the NAD+ group only, remaining within the normal reference range [6]. Participants set their own infusion rate by tolerance. Average total infusion time was 97 minutes for NAD+ against 37 minutes for NR, for the same 500 mg [6]. A separate study infused NAD+ at 3 micromoles per minute over 6 hours, and found plasma NAD+ and its metabolites unchanged until after 2 hours [7]. Three hours after infusion, blood NAD+ was significantly higher in the NR group than in the NAD+ group [6].
Contraindications
- Active cancer (theoretical concern about fueling cancer cell metabolism)
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
- Known allergy to niacin or B vitamins
- Severe liver disease
Which is right for you?
Choose Epithalon if...
- Longevity and healthy aging
- Cellular rejuvenation
- Sleep quality improvement
- Antioxidant support
Choose NAD+ if...
- Cellular energy and vitality
- Healthy aging and longevity
- Brain health and cognitive support
- Metabolic optimization