On National Mental Health Day, it’s vital to explore new, promising approaches to managing mental illness. In any given week in the UK, around 6% of people experience anxiety and 3% suffer from depression, with 8% of the population enduring both conditions simultaneously. While traditional treatment often combines medication and therapy to boost neurochemical levels and address harmful patterns, emerging research suggests that NAD+ – a coenzyme essential to many bodily processes – may offer new hope for managing anxiety and depression.
What is anxiety & depression?
Mental illness has become much more prevalent amongst the UK population over the last few decades, with the most common forms being generalised anxiety disorder and depression. Anxiety disorders involve persistent fear and uncertainty that disrupt daily life, often accompanied by symptoms such as:
- Feeling worried or a sense of dread
- Restlessness
- Dizziness
- Heart palpitations
- Breathlessness
- Sweating
- Nausea
- Panic attacks
Depression is a prolonged experience of low-mood which also impacts somebody’s day-to-day life. It is typically associated with a lack of a pessimistic outlook on the world, a lack of motivation and self-neglect due to consistent negative thoughts. Some symptoms are:
- Low energy
- Lack of interest in things that once sparked joy
- Difficulty falling asleep, or sleeping too much
- Changes in appetite
- Negative thoughts
- Suicidal thoughts and self-harm
Anxiety disorders are often driven by an imbalance of neurochemicals like serotonin, GABA, and cortisol, which regulate mood and stress response. Similarly, depression is linked to lower levels of serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. This complex neurochemical landscape makes treating these conditions particularly challenging. Additional factors, such as environment, experiencing trauma and genetics, can increase the likelihood of mental illness.
What is NAD+?
NAD+ is a coenzyme that plays a critical role in energy production within the mitochondria – often referred to as the powerhouses of our cells. Mitochondrial health is vital not only for physical energy but also for maintaining mental clarity, emotional balance and cognitive function. Along with this, NAD+ is additionally responsible for various biological functions, including antioxidant defence, DNA repair, the ageing process, regulating circadian rhythms and boosting overall vitality. However, NAD+ declines as we age due to many interconnected factors. This includes increased consumption of NAD+ from our immune system and DNA repairs, ageing mitochondria, and inflammation which creates an enzyme that degrades NAD+.
How can NAD+ help manage anxiety and depression?
It’s clear that NAD+ is responsible for many essential processes that influence our overall well being. This includes our mental health. It can aid in the management of depression and anxiety through:
Mood Regulation
NAD+ enhances the activity of neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin, which are crucial for regulating mood. Low levels of these chemicals are directly linked to the feelings of hopelessness, fatigue, and anxiety that characterise depression and anxiety disorders. By boosting NAD+, we may improve neurotransmitter function, thereby stabilising mood and reducing anxiety.
Fatigue Reduction
As a key player in cellular energy production, high levels of NAD+ can help to mitigate feelings of tiredness and fatigue. Oversleeping is a common symptom of mental disorders like anxiety and depression.
Cognitive Function
Anxiety and depression can cause individuals to frequently lose concentration, getting caught on negative thought patterns. NAD+ supports brain plasticity by activating sirtuins that influence synaptic neuroplasticity, overall aiding cognitive function and enhancing focus and mental clarity. Sirtuins also help to reduce oxidative stress and inflammation in the brain, both of which are linked to anxiety and depression disorders.
What treatments does NADclinic offer?
For those looking to manage anxiety and depression naturally, NADclinic offers various options for increasing NAD+ levels. Our Enhanced Optima Max capsules contain 250mg of NAD+ to give you a daily boost of vitality. These capsules are a simple and convenient way to support your mental well-being by increasing NAD+ levels.
For a more intensive treatment, NAD+ IV therapy is a promising option to naturally elevate your body’s NAD+ levels. Our Bespoke IV Infusions can be custom-designed to address your specific needs, including anxiety and depression. The infusions can restore mental clarity and emotional balance by targeting the underlying cellular processes involved in mood regulation, fatigue and cognitive function.
Managing anxiety and depression is complex, but NAD+ offers a promising natural avenue to support mood, energy and cognitive function. To learn how NADclinic’s tailored therapies can help you regain control of your mental health, contact our team today.