Stopping nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) supplements can cause your NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) levels to return to their natural baseline over time, but there's no scientific evidence to show that stopping makes you worse than before.
It’s true that after benefiting from higher NAD+ levels while on NMN — such as feeling more energetic or youthful — going back to your baseline NAD+ levels may cause you to feel less energized, almost like a "crash" back to your typical state.
This drop-off might feel sudden, making it seem as if people who have suddenly stopped taking NAD supplements age rapidly, even though they’re simply returning to their natural baseline energy levels.
Why You Might Want to Stop Taking NMN
There isn't a clear medical reason to stop your NMN intake unless your healthcare professional advises it or you’re experiencing adverse reactions to NMN supplementation.
NMN is generally safe. Still, some people may choose to stop taking NMN for personal reasons like cost or lack of noticeable benefits.
It's also worth mentioning that NMN supplementation alone cannot compensate for poor lifestyle choices.
For instance, if someone uses NMN for their cellular health and anti-aging effects but continues to lead a sedentary lifestyle, eat poorly, or doesn't get enough sleep, they may not experience the full benefits of NMN — it might even feel as though NMN isn't working, which may make them stop taking it.
If someone stopped taking NMN supplements, it wouldn't cause any withdrawal symptoms. However, some people may experience lethargy as they return to baseline NAD+ levels because NMN no longer masks the symptoms of an unhealthy lifestyle that takes a toll on mitochondrial function.
“Why I Stopped Taking NMN Supplements” Online Sentiments
If you search phrases like “stopped taking NMN” or “NMN didn’t work for me,” you’ll find a wide range of experiences across Amazon reviews, Reddit threads, and longevity forums. These experiences generally fall into a few recurring themes.
“I Didn’t Feel Any Difference.”
The most common sentiment we found, especially in Amazon product reviews, is that people stopped taking NMN supplements because they didn’t notice any change.
Typical comments include:
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“I didn’t feel more energy.”
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“No noticeable difference after a month.”
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“Didn’t feel worth the cost.”
What this likely means is that these users didn’t set realistic expectations with NMN products. And we don’t blame them. NMN has become a trending supplement, and it’s often overmarketed.
NMN isn’t a stimulant. It supports NAD+ levels, which play a role in cellular energy production, but that doesn’t always translate into a dramatic or immediate feeling, especially in people who already have relatively healthy NAD+ levels, are younger, or expect a noticeable “boost.”
For these users, stopping NMN usually doesn’t lead to any significant change because there wasn’t a strong perceived effect to begin with.
“I Felt Tired or Sluggish After Stopping.”
Some users have reported that daily activity felt harder once they stopped taking NMN supplements, making it seem like they’re experiencing a type of withdrawal. Here’s a Reddit user’s story:
I started this supplement hoping for an energy boost. While it didn't give me stimulant energy, I did find it much easier to meet my daily step goals and just found daily activity easier in general. Unfortunately, I had to stop after a couple weeks due to increasing stomach irritation and mild brain fog.
For the first few days afterwards, I was fine, but then I started experiencing discontinuation symptoms. Mood swings, fatigue, muscle and joint pain. Even my fingers hurt.
My 8,000 steps a day goal went from a breeze to a real slog. Today, I just gave up to focus on catching up with work that I've fallen behind on. I'm sure I'll gradually get back to baseline, but I just wanted to add my experience to the NMN/NAD withdrawal story pile. A lot of people seem perfectly fine stopping this supplement, but I'd recommend cycling on/off at different intervals for a while before taking it long term. (Source: Reddit)
There isn’t any scientific evidence that NMN supplements cause dependency, and stopping its use doesn’t mean you’ll experience withdrawal. More likely, the person had become accustomed to functioning with higher nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide availability, and that’s what our cells use to make energy.
When the supplementation suddenly stopped, their body returned to their baseline energy metabolism, so something felt off.
“Digestive Discomfort When Taking NMN Supplements.”
Another common reason people stop taking NMN is digestive discomfort, such as bloating, changes in bowel habits, and general stomach irritation. This is a case where the side effects outweigh the potential health benefits.
An Amazon user shares their experience:
Kat Mama
1.0 out of 5 stars This product was ruining my health…
After half a month on this product, I began feeling bloated, became severely constipated and my legs and hands were swelling.
Even under my eyes were swelling. This was my first time taking this product so, I stopped it because this week, I gained 4 pounds in 3 days and was getting scared! Now that I’ve read everyone’s negative reviews, what was happening to me all makes sense. I guess one can’t send the bottle back, since a real business doesn’t exist. Shame on this company for taking peoples’ hard-earned money and to use for fooling around with peoples’ health. Amazon should remove this product/vendor!
Experiences like this understandably raise concern, especially for people trying NMN for the first time. While reactions this strong are not typical, they highlight an important reality: digestive tolerance to NMN varies widely from person to person.
Why do These Digestive Side Effects Occur?
NMN is a small, water-soluble molecule that interacts with metabolic pathways tied to energy production and cellular repair. For some, introducing NMN may affect digestion in a few possible ways:
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Gut sensitivity: People with sensitive digestive systems may react more strongly to new supplements, especially when taken on an empty stomach.
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Dose-related effects: Higher doses may be harder to tolerate for some individuals and can contribute to bloating or constipation.
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Formulation differences: Fillers, capsule materials, or delivery formats (capsules vs. powders vs. sublingual forms) can influence how NMN feels in the gut.
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Fluid balance and digestion: Changes in digestion or bowel habits can temporarily affect water retention, which may explain sensations of bloating or swelling in some users.
Digestion and metabolism are closely linked. When energy metabolism shifts, even subtly, it can influence gut motility and comfort, particularly in people who already struggle with digestion.
Setting Realistic Expectations with NMN Supplements
I think too many people are looking for that one quick-fix, magic pill, that can undo years of stress, poor sleep, and inconsistent habits. Unfortunately, that pill doesn’t exist.
NMN isn’t going to override how your body functions. It’s a compound that’s been studied in clinical trials for its role in supporting NAD+ levels, which is the foundation of good cellular health.
For someone who’s already sleeping well, eating enough protein, getting enough exercise, and managing their stress, NMN may feel like a subtle but meaningful layer of support, but for someone who is burnt out and under-fueled, NMN may feel like it’s not doing enough, and worse, making them feel uncomfortable.
If digestion, bloating, or discomfort show up, that’s valuable feedback from your body.
It doesn’t mean someone “did something wrong,” and it doesn’t mean NMN is bad. It simply means that this particular supplement may not be a good fit for that individual at that time.
It’s also important to clarify that feeling “better” on NMN doesn’t mean it permanently changes your baseline.
When supplementation stops, NAD+ levels will gradually return to their previous levels. That return can feel disappointing or even uncomfortable if NMN had been making daily life feel easier, but that’s not the same as causing harm or dependency.
How Long Does it Take for NAD+ Levels to Return?
For most people, NAD+ levels might decline within a few days to weeks after discontinuing NMN.
Since NAD+ naturally declines with age, your body will eventually revert to its typical NAD+ production level without the boost from NMN. The timeline isn't the same for everyone and can depend on your age, lifestyle, and how much NMN you've been taking.
Most people notice reduced energy, mental clarity, and physical performance associated with lower NAD+ levels.
Individuals who maintain a healthy diet, exercise regularly, and practice habits like intermittent fasting may experience a slower decline in NAD+ levels, as these practices naturally support NAD+ production in the body.
On the other hand, those with sedentary lifestyles or poor diets may notice a more rapid return to their baseline levels once they stop taking NMN.
What's a Good NMN Supplement Alternative?
For the past 4 years, NMN has been undergoing FDA investigation as a potential drug, removing its status as a dietary supplement, making it hard to find.
Niacin is a form of vitamin B3 and is a more affordable supplement than NMN and another precursor to NAD+. However, it follows a more extended pathway in the body than NMN or nicotinamide riboside (NR). Niacin can't replace NMN supplementation, as they have slightly different roles in the body.
Some people may take niacin supplements to support a plant-based diet and fill nutritional gaps by obtaining sufficient B3 from meat sources. B3 turns the food we eat into energy, supports metabolism, and supports general heart health.
If you're looking for something for a more direct pathway to NAD+, NR supplements could be a better option. Like NMN, NR is a closer precursor to NAD+, though it requires an additional conversion step to become NAD+ in the body.
The good news is that after many petitions, NMN has been restored to its dietary supplement status and is now much more accessible in the United States.
Other Ways to Support NAD+ Levels Without NMN Supplements
Beyond dietary supplements, due to the cost or other health reasons, you can naturally support your NAD+ levels and overall wellness through lifestyle changes. Some effective strategies include:
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Exercise: Regular physical activity, particularly aerobic exercise, can naturally boost your NAD+ levels and help reduce oxidative stress.
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Intermittent Fasting or Caloric Restriction: Some studies show caloric restriction can help maintain NAD+ levels and healthy metabolic function [1].
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Healthy Diet: A diet rich in vegetables, whole foods, and unprocessed ingredients can help support your overall cellular function and maintain healthy insulin sensitivity.
These positive lifestyle changes, combined with supplements like NMN, niacin, or NR, might create a positive feedback loop in which you feel motivated to take care of your health, leading to improved energy levels and mood and supporting long-term wellness.
References:
- Poljsak, B., & Milisav, I. (2016). NAD+ as the link between oxidative stress, inflammation, caloric restriction, exercise, DNA repair, longevity, and health span. Rejuvenation research, 19(5), 406-413.
