Peptalk Pilot: Deep Dive — NAD+

Welcome to Peptalk! In our pilot episode, Jake and Cynthia go deep on NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) — one of the most talked-about molecules in the peptide world right now, even though it's not technically a peptide at all. We open with a fast GLP-1 pulse: retatrutide's showstopping EASD 2026 data (28.3% weight loss at 80 weeks), a warning about gray-market vials, Lilly's oral orforglipron vs. oral semaglutide, and Novo's deal with Nanexa on long-acting delivery. Then the deep dive: what NAD+ actually does in the body (mitochondrial energy, sirtuin activation, DNA repair), the formats it's sold in (IV drips, injections, oral NR/NMN precursors, nasal spray), and what a 2026 systematic review really found — precursors reliably raise blood NAD+ metabolites, but functional outcomes are mixed, and there are zero clinical trials of IV NAD+ for wellness. Plus the cell-membrane problem, the GLP-1 stacking rationale, safety data, and an honest bottom line. For research and informational purposes only — not medical advice. **Sources:** - StackTrax NAD+ guide: https://stacktrax.com/guides/nad-plus - Frontiers in Aging — IV NAD+ and precursors in wellness: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/aging/articles/10.3389/fragi.2026.1887175/full - NPR/WAMC — "Marketers say NAD+ pills and infusions can boost longevity. What's the evidence?": https://www.wamc.org/2026-05-11/marketers-say-nad-pills-and-infusions-can-boost-longevity-whats-the-evidence - Key Wellness — NAD+ therapy research summary: https://www.keytwellness.com/post/nad-therapy-cellular-energy-and-what-the-research-shows - Abby Langer — "The NAD+ Anti-Aging Hype, Explained": https://bitemebyabbylanger.substack.com/p/can-nad-really-slow-aging - Medical Daily — EASD 2026 retatrutide data preview: https://www.medicaldaily.com/easd-2026-retatrutide-mounjaro-wegovy-pill-data-preview-479203 - Morningstar/PR Newswire — Lilly's orforglipron vs. oral semaglutide: https://www.morningstar.com/news/pr-newswire/20260929de57460/lillys-foundayo-orforglipron-172-mg-showed-greater-weight-loss-and-a1c-reduction-than-oral-semaglutide-25-mg-among-adults-with-type-2-diabetes-in-a-new-indirect-treatment-comparison A Spoke-Media production: https://www.spoke-media.com