NMN Sublingual vs Oral | Which is More Effective?

When it comes to taking NMN supplements, there’s some debate: Should you swallow it or take it under your tongue (sublingually)?

Oral NMN means you’re swallowing it in a capsule, gummy, or pill form. It travels through your digestive system before being absorbed into your bloodstream, where it will convert into NAD+, which our cells need to carry out virtually all cellular processes. Oral administration is the most common way people take supplements because it’s convenient.

Sublingual administration involves placing liquid NMN under your tongue, where the mucous membranes under your tongue absorb it directly into your bloodstream, bypassing your stomach and liver. This method might sound a little unusual, but some people believe it delivers the most benefits.

Oral NMN vs. Subligual NMN

There’s a myth that NMN can’t be absorbed if you swallow it. 

This idea comes from studies where NMN was injected into mice’s abdominal cavities. Researchers weren’t testing oral absorption but looking for quick results in a controlled environment. People mistakenly concluded that oral NMN doesn’t work [1].

However, when NMN was mixed into the drinking water or food of mice, it was absorbed well into their bloodstream and increased their NAD⁺ levels [2]. This is because NMN transporters in the gut and cell membranes actively bring NMN into cells. The study showed that NMN effectively mitigated age-associated physiological decline in these mice supplemented with oral NMN. It’s also likely that humans have similar transporters, making oral NMN a viable option for supplementation.

In fact, there are studies done in humans where taking oral NMN supplements leads to a direct increase of NAD+ levels in the blood, showing us that it does get absorbed [3].

Taking NMN sublingually allows it to dissolve directly under your tongue, bypassing the stomach and liver. This can lead to faster absorption and potentially higher bioavailability, meaning more NMN reaches your bloodstream before it’s broken down.

For people who want quicker effects, such as a subtle energy boost before a workout, sublingual NMN might be a better choice — but don’t expect it to give you the same boost as an energy drink. 

Taking it under the tongue can be less convenient for daily use and depends on the quality of the product. If a sublingual NMN supplement doesn’t dissolve properly or isn’t made with high-quality NMN, you might not get the full benefit.

So, Which Method is Better?

We can't say definitively whether NMN, sublingually or orally, will be most effective for you — it mostly depends on what's available to you and your lifestyle goals.

• Oral NMN is convenient, easy to take, and backed by research showing effective absorption and NAD⁺ production. At Neurogan Health, we produce NMN capsules in-house with exceptional quality control, ensuring you get a reliable product.

• Sublingual NMN is known for its faster absorption and might provide a quicker onset of benefits. It’s a good option if you’re looking for an immediate effect, but the quality of the product is key. We also offer a liposomal NMN dropper at Neurogan Health. Liposomal delivery technology protects NMN molecules from degradation and supports efficient absorption.

Would I Choose Oral NMN or Sublingual NMN?

Both oral and sublingual NMN supplements have their advantages, and there’s solid evidence that either method can effectively support your NAD⁺ levels.

Because I like the convenience and consistency of taking NMN capsules, oral NMN is my first choice. But if you value quicker absorption, NMN is also worth trying. Luckily, we offer both options at Neurogan Health, giving you the flexibility to find the best method for your needs — all with the confidence of receiving the best quality at a highly competitive price point.

Resources:

1. Uddin, G. M., Youngson, N. A., Chowdhury, S. S., Hagan, C., Sinclair, D. A., & Morris, M. J. (2020). Administration of nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) reduces metabolic impairment in male mouse offspring from obese mothers. Cells, 9(4), 791.

2. Mills, K. F., Yoshida, S., Stein, L. R., Grozio, A., Kubota, S., Sasaki, Y., ... & Imai, S. I. (2016). Long-term administration of nicotinamide mononucleotide mitigates age-associated physiological decline in mice. Cell metabolism, 24(6), 795-806.

3. Kim, M., Seol, J., Sato, T., Fukamizu, Y., Sakurai, T., & Okura, T. (2022). Effect of 12-week intake of nicotinamide mononucleotide on sleep quality, fatigue, and physical performance in older Japanese adults: a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled study. Nutrients, 14(4), 755.