Although NMN has shown postive effects in clinical trials to date, there may be potential drawbacks in particular contexts. NMN’s interactions in neurological health warrant further investigation. NAD+ is also a cofactor for the enzyme sterile alpha and Toll/interleukin-1 receptor motif-containing 1 (SARM1), an enzyme that instigates neuronal degeneration after injury.[1] In people with neurological disorders and reduced activity of a specifc enzyme that converts NMN to NAD+ (nicotinamide mononucleotide adenylyltransferase 2, or NMNAT2), NMN supplementation could theoretically enhance neuron degeneration by increasing SARM1 activity.[2] However, in the context of healthy NMNAT2 enzyme activity, NMN supplementation could potentially be neuroprotective[3] Although more research is needed, it is safe to assume that NMN supplementation could have potential drawbacks in certain contexts, which warrants further study.
Could NMN supplementation have potential drawbacks in people with neurological conditions?
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•Last Updated: May 16, 2025
NMN supplementation may have potential drawbacks for people with neurological conditions, particularly if they have reduced activity of the NMNAT2 enzyme, because it could theoretically increase neuronal degeneration through enhanced SARM1 activity. However, in people with healthy NMNAT2 activity, NMN could potentially offer neuroprotective benefits, which indicates the need for further research.