NAD+ and Push Patch Technology: Revolutionizing Cellular Energy and Brain Healing

About This Blog

Dr. Joseph Schneider brings over 35 years of experience as a functional neurologist to his practice at the Hope Brain and Body Recovery Center. Working alongside specialized experts, he has helped thousands of patients rebuild their nervous systems after various injuries and neurological conditions. His approach to treating brain injuries and optimizing brain health emphasizes the critical importance of mitochondrial function and cellular energy production—processes that naturally decline with age and illness.

In this episode, Dr. Schneider sat down with Dr. Roy "Buzz" Korth, a chiropractor who operates 14 functional medicine clinics specializing in bioidentical hormone replacement therapy and peptide treatments. Dr. Korth has pioneered an innovative delivery system called Push Patch technology, which uses iontophoresis to deliver therapeutic molecules like NAD+ directly through the skin and into the bloodstream. For anyone concerned about cellular energy, brain function, or recovering from neurological conditions like POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome), understanding how NAD+ supports mitochondrial function provides valuable insights into maintaining optimal health and accelerating recovery.

Understanding NAD+ and Mitochondrial Function  

NAD+ (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide) functions as a critical coenzyme that powers the mitochondria—the cellular energy factories responsible for producing ATP, the energy currency that fuels all bodily functions. As Dr. Korth explains, NAD+ essentially serves as "the fuel on the fire of the mitochondria," enabling these powerhouses to generate the energy needed for cellular repair, maintenance, and optimal function.

Unfortunately, NAD+ levels naturally decline with age. By age 40, most people have approximately half the NAD+ they had in their youth. This decline helps explain why metabolism slows, healing takes longer, and overall energy levels decrease as we age. The reduction in cellular energy affects every system in the body but has particularly notable impacts on brain function, where energy demands are exceptionally high.

For patients with neurological conditions like POTS or those recovering from brain injuries, this NAD+ decline creates significant challenges. Dr. Schneider emphasizes that mitochondrial function and antioxidant activity represent the two most critical factors in brain rehabilitation. Without addressing these fundamental aspects of cellular health, patients simply won't recover optimally, regardless of what other treatments they receive.

The Challenge of NAD+ Supplementation  

While understanding the importance of NAD+ is straightforward, effectively supplementing it presents significant challenges that have limited its therapeutic use until recently. Dr. Korth outlines three primary issues with traditional NAD+ supplementation methods:

1. Poor oral bioavailability - NAD+ molecules cannot survive stomach acid and don't absorb well through the digestive tract.

2. Limitations of injection - Direct injection of NAD+ is limited to approximately 50mg per dose due to side effects like heart palpitations and chest compression—particularly problematic for POTS patients who already struggle with cardiovascular regulation.

3. Time-consuming IV administration - While IV delivery can provide higher doses (typically 500mg), the infusion must be administered extremely slowly over 3-4 hours to avoid adverse reactions.

These limitations have made NAD+ therapy impractical for most patients, despite its tremendous potential benefits. Even with successful administration, the relatively short half-life of NAD+ (approximately one hour) means that the therapeutic effect quickly diminishes after treatment.

Push Patch Technology: A Breakthrough in NAD+ Delivery  

Dr. Korth's Push Patch technology represents a significant advancement in addressing these delivery challenges. The system uses iontophoresis—a method that has existed since the 1970s but has been refined for modern applications. The key components of this approach include:

• Electrical energy delivery - The patch creates a small electrical charge that physically pushes molecules through the skin barrier (similar to how like-charged magnets repel each other).

• Sustained release - Unlike IV administration, the Push Patch delivers 1300mg of NAD+ over a 12-14 hour period, maintaining therapeutic levels throughout the day.

• Convenience - Patients simply apply the patch and go about their day, eliminating the need for lengthy clinic visits for IV administration.

• Time under dose (TUD) - The sustained delivery creates what Dr. Korth calls "time under dose," extending the period when cells are continuously bathed in NAD+.

For Dr. Schneider's POTS patients, who often struggle with cardiovascular symptoms including rapid heart rate and blood pressure fluctuations, this gentle, sustained delivery proves particularly beneficial. It allows them to receive therapeutic doses without triggering the adverse reactions often associated with IV administration.

The Benefits of NAD+ Therapy  

Both doctors observe multiple benefits in patients using NAD+ therapy, ranging from subjective improvements in well-being to objective enhancements in physical and cognitive performance:

Mental Clarity and Cognitive Function  

Dr. Korth describes the cognitive effects of NAD+ as uniquely different from stimulants like Adderall or Ritalin. Rather than creating a wired, busy feeling, NAD+ provides clear mental focus and sustained attention. He shares how his children, both in nurse practitioner school, request patches before exams because they notice improved cognition and test performance.

The clarity extends to work performance as well. Both doctors note that professionals using NAD+ often maintain high productivity throughout extended workdays without experiencing the typical afternoon energy crash. Dr. Korth describes working from 8 AM to 8 PM without noticing the time when NAD+ levels are optimized.

Sleep Quality and Circadian Rhythm  

Interestingly, despite providing energy and mental clarity during the day, NAD+ also improves sleep quality by supporting healthy circadian rhythms. Dr. Korth notes that many patients report sleeping better the very first night after beginning NAD+ therapy, even before noticing daytime energy improvements.

Dr. Schneider connects this to autophagy—the brain's nightly cleaning and repair process. During sleep, specialized brain cells called astrocytes maintain synapses and donate mitochondria to healing parts of the brain. With enhanced NAD+ levels, this mitochondrial donation process becomes more efficient, accelerating brain healing overnight.

Physical Performance and Recovery  

Athletic performance also improves with NAD+ supplementation. Dr. Korth shares the story of a friend who qualified for the Boston Marathon while wearing an NAD+ patch, breaking his personal record with a sub-three-hour marathon time. The enhanced mitochondrial function allows muscles to work more efficiently, delaying fatigue and improving endurance.

For patients recovering from injuries or neurological conditions, this enhanced cellular energy accelerates healing processes. Dr. Schneider explains that NAD+ supports the production of BDNF (Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor), which promotes neuroplasticity—the brain's ability to form new connections and adaptively rewire itself after injury.

NAD+ and Comprehensive Care for Neurological Conditions  

Dr. Schneider emphasizes that while NAD+ provides significant benefits, it functions best as part of a comprehensive treatment approach rather than a standalone therapy. For patients with complex neurological conditions like POTS, recovery requires addressing multiple systems simultaneously:

1. Mitochondrial support through NAD+ therapy

2. Antioxidant activity to protect cells from oxidative stress

3. Neurological rehabilitation exercises tailored to each patient's needs

4. Sleep optimization to maximize nightly repair processes

5. Nutritional support for cellular function

This holistic approach reflects Dr. Schneider's philosophy that patients need to "buy into the process" of complete treatment rather than selecting individual components from a menu of options. As he explains to patients who ask which single treatment is most important: "Unless you identify them all and work on them all at the same time, you're not going to get there."

The addition of Push Patch technology has significantly enhanced treatment outcomes at the Hope Brain and Body Recovery Center. Dr. Schneider now considers NAD+ patches essential for all patients, noting that without them, "we're not going to get as much of a response as we want to get" during the typical 10-12 week treatment program.

Supporting Your Body's Natural Healing Mechanisms  

The conversation between Dr. Schneider and Dr. Korth reveals that NAD+ therapy through Push Patch technology doesn't introduce foreign substances or override natural processes—it simply provides the raw materials your body needs for optimal cellular function and natural healing. As Dr. Korth notes, "We're not magicians here. We're just giving your body what it needs to heal."

You can begin supporting your cellular energy and brain function today by considering NAD+ supplementation as part of a comprehensive approach to health. If you're dealing with neurological conditions, chronic fatigue, brain fog, or simply the natural decline in energy that comes with aging, optimizing NAD+ levels may provide significant benefits for your mental clarity, physical performance, and overall wellbeing.

As Dr. Korth encourages listeners, "If somebody has a condition and is not getting better, they just haven't seen the right doctor. Because if you're alive, your body heals. You just have to figure out the combination to get there." For many patients with complex neurological conditions, NAD+ supplementation may be an important piece of that healing combination.

Key Steps to Optimize Your Cellular Energy:  

• Consider NAD+ supplementation through clinically-proven delivery methods like Push Patch technology

• Prioritize quality sleep to maximize your body's natural repair processes

• Support mitochondrial health through proper nutrition and targeted supplements

• Minimize toxin exposure that can damage mitochondrial function

• Engage in appropriate physical activity to stimulate mitochondrial growth

• Work with knowledgeable practitioners who understand functional medicine approaches to cellular health

Remember that healing is possible when you provide your body with the right tools and environment. As Dr. Schneider's practice demonstrates, even patients with complex conditions like POTS or traumatic brain injuries can experience significant improvements when cellular energy and mitochondrial function are properly supported.

Connect with Dr. Joseph Schneider and learn more about brain health through the Hope Brain and Body Recovery Center website, or follow them on LinkedIn, YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook.