On NAD+, Lymphatic Drainage, and the Audacity of Aging Backwards
Let me tell you what keeps happening.
People find out my age and their face does a thing. Friends see me after a few weeks and say something. Strangers do the math and get it wrong- consistently, significantly wrong. I smile politely like I do not know exactly why. Like I have not been on a whole supplementation and wellness protocol that would make most people’s eyes water just reading the list.
I know why. And I am going to tell you a tiny (but mighty) part of my protocol.
What NAD+ Actually Is
NAD+ stands for nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide. Say that five times fast. Actually, do not- just know that it is a coenzyme that lives in every single cell in your body and is responsible for a staggering number of things you need to function like a human being. Energy production. DNA repair. Cellular communication. Metabolism. Brain function. The whole operation.
Here is the problem. Your NAD+ levels drop significantly as you age. We are talking a decline of roughly 50% by the time you hit middle age. Which means the cellular machinery that keeps you sharp, energized, and looking like yourself starts running on fumes right around the time life gets most complicated. Cute timing.
Low NAD+ levels have been linked to fatigue that sleep does not fix, brain fog that coffee makes worse, inflammation that shows up everywhere, accelerated aging, and a metabolism that has apparently decided to retire without giving notice.
Sound familiar? Because it should.
What I Actually Do
I am not playing around with this. Let me be specific.
I take nicotinamide riboside pills daily- NR is a precursor to NAD+ which means it gives your body the raw material to make more of it on its own. Smart supplementation. Your cells do the work.
I also do subcutaneous NAD+ injections. Yes, shots. Self-administered. At home. Before you clutch anything- it sounds more dramatic than it is and the results are not dramatic at all. They are just quietly, consistently remarkable. Energy that does not spike and crash. Mental clarity that shows up and stays. A body that feels like it is actually working with you instead of against you.
And once a month I get an NAD+ IV. This is the main event. Straight into the bloodstream, no middleman, full absorption. I will not pretend it is a spa experience- it takes a couple hours and your body knows something is happening; you feel like hot garbage for about an hour. But the day after? Somebody’s auntie woke up feeling like she had the energy of a person who has been sleeping properly for years when I have definitely not.
Worth every freaking minute.
Now Let’s Talk About The Lymphatic System
Your lymphatic system is the body’s drainage network. It moves fluid, filters waste, supports your immune system, and keeps inflammation from setting up permanent residence in your body. When it is working properly you feel it- less puffiness, better skin, improved circulation, a general sense that your body is processing life instead of just absorbing it.
When it is sluggish- which happens with age, stress, sedentary habits, and basically everything modern life requires of us- the backup shows up everywhere. Bloating. Swelling. Skin that looks tired. Immune function that is working at half capacity. A heaviness that is not quite pain but is definitely not nothing.
Lymphatic drainage massage moves the fluid manually. A trained therapist uses light, rhythmic pressure to redirect the backup and get things flowing again. It sounds gentle because it is gentle. The results are not gentle. The results are- oh, so that is what my face is supposed to look like. Got it.
Why This Matters Specifically For Us
Black women carry chronic stress in our bodies in documented, measurable ways. Elevated cortisol. Systemic inflammation. Immune dysregulation. A nervous system that has been running on high alert for so long it has forgotten the default is supposed to be calm.
NAD+ and lymphatic drainage do not fix the source of that stress. But they address what the stress does to the body at a cellular level. They give your cells the tools to repair, your lymphatic system the support to clear, and your body a fighting chance at functioning like it belongs to someone who is thriving and not just surviving.
I am not in my 30s. But my cells apparently did not get that memo. And I am absolutely not correcting them.
Where To Start
If an “everything” protocol feels like too much right now, start with nicotinamide riboside. It is widely available, on Amazon and the other usual places, well researched, and does not require a needle or a medical appointment. Give it 60 days and pay attention to your energy levels, your mental clarity, and whether your body feels like it is cooperating or competing.
Then, go on the YouTubes and search how to do lymphatic drainage yourself. Start with just your face- you can do this after you wash and lotion every day, twice a day. Five minutes. That’s it. No need for stupid ceramic tools or whatever- your hands & fingers will do the job expertly. Once you see what it does to the puffiness and the contour and the general goldie-oldie looking-ness, you will move on to other problem areas with a whole new sense of purpose. It doesn’t hurt; you’re basically massaging your body back to its proper positioning.
And when someone finds out your age and their face does that thing — smile politely. You do not have to tell them everything.
Note: This reflects my personal experience and is for informational purposes only. Talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement or wellness protocol. I talked to no one, but my body ain’t your body, so do what you need to do and don’t look at me if you mess it up.
