Head-to-head
SS-31 vs NAD+
A field-by-field comparison of SS-31 and NAD+ drawn from the PeptideIndex database: mechanism, evidence grade, half-life, administration route, reported dosing, side effects, storage and legal status. Both are indexed as longevity compounds, so the useful question is how they differ within that category.
SS-31 vs NAD+ at a glance
| Attribute | SS-31 | NAD+ |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Longevity | Longevity |
| Evidence grade | Moderate | Emerging |
| Also known as | Elamipretide, MTP-131 | Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide |
| Chain | Tetrapeptide (D-Arg-dimethylTyr-Lys-Phe-NH2) | Coenzyme (dinucleotide, not a peptide) |
| Mechanism | Concentrates in the inner mitochondrial membrane where it binds cardiolipin, stabilising cristae architecture, improving electron-transport efficiency and reducing reactive oxygen species leakage. | Serves as an electron carrier in redox reactions and as the required substrate for sirtuins and PARP enzymes, which govern DNA repair and mitochondrial biogenesis. |
| Reported benefits | Improved mitochondrial ATP output · Reduced oxidative stress markers · Fatigue improvement in mitochondrial disease trials | Reported energy and mental-clarity improvements · Supports sirtuin-mediated DNA repair pathways · Used adjunctively in recovery clinics |
| Reported side effects | Injection-site reactions are common and can be significant · Headache · Dizziness | Flushing, chest tightness and nausea during rapid infusion · Injection-site pain · Headache |
| Half-life | Roughly 2 hours | Very short in circulation |
| Administration | Daily subcutaneous injection | IV infusion, subcutaneous injection or nasal spray |
| Dosing overview | Trial dosing around 40 mg daily; community protocols use less | IV 250–750 mg per session; subcutaneous 50–100 mg several times weekly |
| Storage | Refrigerate; protect from light | Refrigerated, light-protected |
| Legal status | Investigational drug, not approved for general use. | Compounded and sold in clinics; not an approved drug for ageing. |
Key differences between SS-31 and NAD+
Both are longevity compounds
SS-31 and NAD+ are both indexed under longevity, so they compete for the same use case rather than complementing each other. SS-31: "A mitochondria-targeting peptide in late-stage clinical trials for primary mitochondrial myopathy and rare eye disease." NAD+: "A central metabolic coenzyme injected or infused in longevity clinics; declining NAD+ is a hallmark of biological ageing."
Mechanism of action
SS-31: Concentrates in the inner mitochondrial membrane where it binds cardiolipin, stabilising cristae architecture, improving electron-transport efficiency and reducing reactive oxygen species leakage. NAD+: Serves as an electron carrier in redox reactions and as the required substrate for sirtuins and PARP enzymes, which govern DNA repair and mitochondrial biogenesis.
Evidence quality is not equal
SS-31 carries a Moderate evidence grade and NAD+ a Emerging grade on this index. The grade describes the quality of published human data, not how well a compound works — SS-31 has the better-documented record of the two, and claims made about NAD+ rest on thinner human evidence.
Half-life and dosing frequency
SS-31 is listed at roughly 2 hours; NAD+ at very short in circulation. That difference is what drives the reported schedules: Trial dosing around 40 mg daily; community protocols use less versus IV 250–750 mg per session; subcutaneous 50–100 mg several times weekly
Route of administration
SS-31 is administered by daily subcutaneous injection. NAD+ is administered by iv infusion, subcutaneous injection or nasal spray.
Legal and regulatory status differs
SS-31: Investigational drug, not approved for general use. NAD+: Compounded and sold in clinics; not an approved drug for ageing. This is usually the most practical difference between two compounds, because it determines whether a supply chain is labelled and regulated at all.
Handling and storage
SS-31 is stored refrigerate; protect from light. NAD+ is stored refrigerated, light-protected.
What SS-31 and NAD+ have in common
- Category: both listed as Longevity
Both profiles list the same reported side effects: headache.
Each compound in brief
SS-31
Longevity · Moderate evidence
A mitochondria-targeting peptide in late-stage clinical trials for primary mitochondrial myopathy and rare eye disease.
Considerations: Human evidence exists but for disease populations, not healthy performance · Costly and typically injected daily · Trial results have been mixed on primary endpoints
NAD+
Longevity · Emerging evidence
A central metabolic coenzyme injected or infused in longevity clinics; declining NAD+ is a hallmark of biological ageing.
Considerations: Precursors (NR, NMN) are cheaper and orally available with better human data · Infusions must be run slowly or they are extremely uncomfortable · Benefit in healthy young adults is unclear
Related comparisons and reading
Every figure on this page is reproduced from the compound profiles in this database and reflects published literature and commonly reported protocols. It is educational information, not medical advice, and not a recommendation to use either compound. See the medical disclaimer.