Is it True that NMN Raises Testosterone?

Recently, there has been an increase in the number of popular science articles on various health and longevity websites. These articles suggest that regular intake of NMN, specifically more than 500 mg per day, significantly increases testosterone levels in men by up to 50% or more, especially if the initial levels were low.

I have been taking NMN for two months and regularly test my venous blood for total and free testosterone. However, I have not noticed any statistically significant increase or decrease in this important hormone. My initial level was low, and I would be happy to see an increase.

Therefore, I conducted a small analysis of the latest scientific publications on this topic, which you can review below. (Spoiler: I did not find any confirmed information about the influence (increase) of testosterone from taking NMN, neither in scientific journals nor in user reviews).

Nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) is a molecule that plays a crucial role in energy metabolism and cellular health. It is a precursor to Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NAD+), a coenzyme found in all living cells that is essential for energy metabolism and maintaining proper cell function. Recent studies have begun to explore the relationship between NMN consumption and testosterone levels, although the research is still in its early stages. Here, I will review some of the relevant scientific literature on this topic.

NMN and Hormonal Regulation

A study titled “Metanephrine and Normetanephrine Urine Excretion in Patients with PCOS” by Robeva et al., 2022, investigated the association between catecholamine metabolites (normetanephrine [NMN] and metanephrine [MN]) and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and its clinical manifestations. The study found a strong positive correlation between MN and NMN in women with PCOS. However, the study did not find a significant association between nephrines and hormonal, anthropometric, and metabolic parameters of the patients, including testosterone levels.

NMN and Immune Response

In a study titled “Treatment of SARS-CoV-2-induced pneumonia with NAD+ and NMN in two mouse models” by Jiang et al., 2022, it was found that SARS-CoV-2 infection resulted in the dysregulation of genes associated with NAD+ metabolism, immune response, and cell death in mice. The study found that NAD+ and NMN supplementation significantly rescued pneumonia phenotypes, including excessive inflammatory cell infiltration, hemolysis, and embolization in SARS-CoV-2-infected lungs. However, this study did not directly investigate the effect of NMN on testosterone levels.

NMN and Axon Degeneration

A study titled “SARM1 is a metabolic sensor activated by an increased NMN/NAD+ ratio to trigger axon degeneration” by Figley et al., 2021, demonstrated that SARM1, a NAD+-cleaving enzyme, is activated by an increase in the ratio of NMN to NAD+. The study showed that NMN influences the structure of SARM1 and that NMN binding is required for injury-induced SARM1 activation and axon destruction. This study provides insights into the role of NMN in neuronal health, but it does not directly address the relationship between NMN and testosterone levels.

While NMN plays a critical role in various biological processes, including energy metabolism, immune response, and neuronal health, the current scientific literature does not provide a clear link between NMN consumption and testosterone levels. More research is needed to understand this potential relationship.

YouTube Discussions on NMN and Testosterone Levels

A YouTube video titled “Could NMN Increase Testosterone?” by Jesse Coomer discusses their personal experience with NMN. The user claims that after taking NMN for a while, their testosterone levels increased by 20%. They attribute this increase to NMN as it was one of the only changes they made to their health regimen.

In another video titled “WHAT Are The Possible Effects Of NMN On Different Genders“, Dr. David Sinclair, a professor in the Department of Genetics at Harvard Medical School, discusses the potential effects of NMN on different genders and hormone levels.

Reddit Discussions on NMN and Testosterone Levels

1. A Reddit user in the r/Testosterone subreddit reported a significant increase in their testosterone levels after taking NMN for over a year.

2. In the r/NMN subreddit, another user shared their experience with NMN and weight loss. They mentioned that while they couldn’t find any studies directly linking NMN and testosterone, they found anecdotal evidence online suggesting a possible connection.

3. A post in the r/NicotinamideRiboside subreddit discussed David Sinclair’s claim of doubling his testosterone from 400 to 800 by using NMN. However, some users expressed skepticism, suggesting that other factors might have contributed to the increase.

4. In another discussion in the r/NMN subreddit, users discussed the natural production of NMN within the body during/after exercise. One user mentioned the known example of testosterone abuse leading to the body shutting down its testosterone production completely because of the high exogenous testosterone presented past the baseline of what the body itself would produce.

5. A post in the r/NMN subreddit discussed the effects of discontinuing NMN. The user clarified that unlike testosterone, the body isn’t dependent on NMN. After stopping NMN, NAD levels will slowly return to the original baseline levels (4-6 weeks), but not below.

Thus, to date, I have not found any evidence that taking NMN increases testosterone levels, neither in scientific publications, nor in reviews from those who take it, nor based on my own experience. However, I continue to take this supplement due to its more substantiated impact on life extension.