NMN, NAD+ & the Future of Longevity
In this expert interview, clinical pharmacologist Dr. Luis Cifuentes discusses NMN, NAD+ metabolism, cellular health, cognitive performance, personalized supplementation, and emerging longevity research.
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NAD+ metabolism and NMN supplementation have become major topics in longevity research, raising broader questions about cellular aging, cognitive health, and what healthy aging may look like in practice.
Nootropic Blend spoke with Dr. Luis Cifuentes of Wonderfeel about the science behind NMN and NAD+, how longevity formulations are developed, the role of biomarkers and personalization, and where current research may be heading next.
The conversation also explores the growing connection between longevity and cognitive health, including how cellular resilience and metabolic health may influence long-term brain function.
This interview has been edited for clarity and length.
Table of Contents
Inside Wonderfeel’s Approach to NMN & NAD+
With Dr. Luis Cifuentes, Director of R&D and Product Development at Wonderfeel.
Nootropic Blend: Before we get into NMN and longevity, could you introduce yourself and tell us a little about your role at Wonderfeel?
Dr. Luis Cifuentes: I’m Dr. Luis, Director of R&D and Product Development at Wonderfeel. For 27 years, medicine has fueled my passion for scientific discovery, leading me to explore diverse fields such as clinical pharmacology and epidemiology, all with the aim of better understanding the complexities of the human body.
I joined the Wonderfeel team in 2023, where we continue to push the boundaries of scientific exploration. Recognizing the potential importance of cellular health, we’re actively researching new approaches to supporting cellular function.
This area of research, particularly in longevity and nutraceuticals, may play an important role in supporting vitality, addressing age-related health challenges, and contributing to healthier aging.
NAD+, NMN, and Cellular Aging
Nootropic Blend: What do you currently see as the safest, most effective, and most practical way to support NAD+ levels?
Dr. Luis Cifuentes: One of the most practical approaches to increasing NAD+ levels is through precursors such as nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) or nicotinamide riboside (NR), which the body can convert into NAD+.
NMN has attracted particular interest because human studies have shown that supplementation can increase NAD+ levels, while generally demonstrating an acceptable tolerability profile in the clinical research conducted so far.
Reference: Song Q, et al. The Safety and Antiaging Effects of Nicotinamide Mononucleotide in Human Clinical Trials: An Update. Advances in Nutrition. 2023.
From NMN Research to Formulation
Nootropic Blend: What are the core principles behind Wonderfeel’s approach to NMN formulation?
Dr. Luis Cifuentes: Wonderfeel’s approach to formulating NMN supplements is built around several core principles: scientific evidence, bioavailability, purity, and the potential value of combining NMN with complementary ingredients.
The goal is to support NAD+ metabolism, which is involved in biological processes such as energy production, cellular metabolism, and DNA repair. Wonderfeel also combines NMN with ingredients such as resveratrol, hydroxytyrosol, ergothioneine, and vitamin D3, with the intention of supporting antioxidant defenses and pathways associated with cellular health.
We have also received customer reports describing improvements in areas such as energy, exercise performance, sleep quality, cognitive function, and skin appearance while using the Youngr™ NMN formula. These reports are anecdotal and should not be considered the same as evidence from controlled clinical trials.
Reference: Gomes AP, et al. Declining NAD+ Induces a Pseudohypoxic State Disrupting Nuclear-Mitochondrial Communication during Aging. Cell. 2013.
What Sets Wonderfeel’s NMN Formula Apart?
Nootropic Blend: There are now many NMN products on the market. From Wonderfeel’s perspective, what differentiates Youngr™?
Dr. Luis Cifuentes: In our view, Wonderfeel’s NMN formula is differentiated by its scientific rationale and formulation strategy. Professor Andrew Salzman, a physician and biomedical inventor with more than 30 years of experience in drug discovery and development, helped guide the analysis of NMN dosing and the selection of complementary ingredients used in the formula.
Wonderfeel also places emphasis on encapsulation methods, quality assurance, potency, and stability, with the goal of supporting consistent delivery and bioavailability of the ingredients.
Research on NMN has produced promising findings in areas related to mitochondrial function, cellular metabolism, DNA repair, and other biological processes associated with aging. However, much of the long-term evidence still comes from preclinical research, and findings from animal studies should not be assumed to translate directly to humans.
Reference: Mills KF, et al. Long-Term Administration of Nicotinamide Mononucleotide Mitigates Age-Associated Physiological Decline in Mice. Cell Metabolism. 2016.
How Youngr™ Fits Into NAD+ Metabolism
Nootropic Blend: How does the Youngr™ formula fit into the broader picture of NAD+ metabolism and cellular health?
Dr. Luis Cifuentes: NAD+ is a naturally occurring molecule found throughout the body and plays an important role in cellular processes including energy metabolism, DNA repair, and cellular signaling. NAD+ levels also tend to decline with age, which is one reason NAD+ metabolism has become an important area of longevity research.
Wonderfeel’s Youngr™ formula provides 900 mg of NMN per serving and combines NMN with ingredients including ergothioneine, vitamin D3, resveratrol, and other olive-derived polyphenols.
The rationale behind the formula is to combine NMN, as a precursor involved in NAD+ metabolism, with compounds that have been studied for roles related to oxidative stress, immune function, bone health, and other aspects of cellular health.
From Wonderfeel’s perspective, this multi-ingredient approach is intended to support a broader range of biological pathways associated with healthy aging rather than focusing on NAD+ alone.
Reference: Verdin E. NAD+ in Aging, Metabolism, and Neurodegeneration. Science. 2015.
What Research Informed the Formula?
Nootropic Blend: What research most influenced Wonderfeel’s NMN formulation and dosing approach?
Dr. Luis Cifuentes: Our formulation approach was informed by the growing body of clinical research on NMN and its effects on NAD+ metabolism.
In 2023, Song and colleagues published a review of human clinical trials examining the safety and potential anti-aging effects of NMN. The review discussed findings showing that NMN supplementation can increase NAD+ levels and explored outcomes related to areas such as physical performance and cognitive measures.
We used this broader body of research as part of the rationale behind Wonderfeel’s formulation strategy and dosing approach. However, these studies evaluated NMN itself rather than the complete Wonderfeel Youngr™ formula.
Reference: Song Q, et al. The Safety and Antiaging Effects of Nicotinamide Mononucleotide in Human Clinical Trials: An Update. Advances in Nutrition. 2023.
Beyond NMN: Longevity and Cognitive Health
Nootropic Blend: Nootropic Blend focuses heavily on cognition. Does Wonderfeel see cognitive support as part of the wider longevity picture?
Dr. Luis Cifuentes: Youngr™, our core NMN formula, was designed with both cellular health and cognitive support in mind. From our perspective, maintaining focus, mental clarity, and cognitive performance is an important part of overall well-being and healthy aging.
Looking ahead, we are continuing to explore additional formulations that may provide more targeted cognitive support. While we cannot share specific development plans at this stage, the broader goal is to expand the range of tools available to support both cognitive health and long-term well-being.
The Ethics of Cognitive Enhancement
Nootropic Blend: As longevity and cognitive enhancement begin to overlap, how does Wonderfeel approach questions around safety and ethics?
Dr. Luis Cifuentes: At Wonderfeel, we place a strong emphasis on transparency, safety, and the responsible use of cognitive enhancement interventions.
Our goal is to ensure that products intended for human use are supported by appropriate scientific evidence, developed with clear safety considerations, and aligned with applicable ethical and regulatory standards.
Personalized Longevity
Nootropic Blend: Longevity is becoming increasingly personalized. How does Wonderfeel think about differences between individuals when it comes to supplementation?
Dr. Luis Cifuentes: We view health and longevity as highly individual. Factors such as genetic predisposition, lifestyle, and biomarker profiles may all influence how people respond to different interventions.
From that perspective, personalized medicine and precision nutrition may help shape more individualized approaches to supplementation and healthy aging.
The broader goal is to use these tools to better match interventions to individual needs and help people take a more informed, proactive role in managing their health.
Innovation, Safety, and Transparency
Nootropic Blend: The longevity field moves quickly. How do you balance innovation with safety and transparency?
Dr. Luis Cifuentes: Wonderfeel takes a multidisciplinary approach to research in longevity and cognitive health, including collaboration with academic institutions, researchers, and industry partners.
We also continuously evaluate emerging evidence and new technologies as the field develops.
At the same time, we place emphasis on quality standards, safety, efficacy, and clear communication around both the potential benefits and the limitations of our products.
What Do Wonderfeel Users Report?
Nootropic Blend: Beyond the research, what kinds of experiences do customers report while using Wonderfeel products?
Dr. Luis Cifuentes: We have received feedback from customers describing perceived improvements in areas such as energy, focus, mental clarity, vitality, and overall well-being while using Wonderfeel products.
These experiences vary from person to person and represent individual customer reports rather than controlled clinical evidence.
Some users have described feeling sharper or more focused, experiencing less fatigue, or noticing changes in energy and general well-being. Others have mentioned improvements in areas such as skin dryness or motivation.
These testimonials can provide insight into how some customers perceive the product, but they should not be interpreted as proof that the same effects will occur in other users.
Nootropic Blend note: Customer testimonials are anecdotal experiences and cannot establish efficacy, safety, or health benefits. Controlled human studies provide a stronger basis for evaluating supplement effects.
Nootropic Blend Editor’s Take: Where the Evidence Stands in 2026
The biology behind NAD+ is compelling, but the clinical case for NMN as a broad “anti-aging” intervention is still developing.
Human studies generally show that oral NMN can influence NAD+-related biomarkers and appears to be reasonably well tolerated over the relatively short study periods examined so far. What remains much less certain is whether those biochemical changes translate into meaningful, long-term improvements in healthspan, cognition, metabolic health, physical performance, or other outcomes associated with aging.
A 2026 systematic review of NAD+-boosting interventions reached a similar conclusion: NMN and NR show clear biological activity in humans, but effects on functional, metabolic, vascular, and other healthspan-related outcomes have been inconsistent or endpoint-specific. The authors concluded that clinical effectiveness for anti-aging and general wellness remains uncertain.
Safety data are somewhat more reassuring, although still limited by relatively small studies and short follow-up periods. A 2026 systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized NMN trials found no clear increase in overall adverse events or serious adverse events compared with controls, while emphasizing that rare, delayed, high-dose, and long-term risks remain insufficiently studied.
This distinction matters when interpreting Dr. Cifuentes’ comments. The scientific rationale behind targeting NAD+ metabolism is legitimate, and NMN is an active area of human research. But evidence supporting NMN as a biological precursor is not the same as evidence proving that a specific multi-ingredient supplement extends healthspan or produces broad anti-aging benefits.
The same applies to formulation claims. Ingredients such as ergothioneine, vitamin D3, resveratrol, and polyphenols each have their own research histories, but combining individually studied compounds does not automatically establish clinical synergy in the finished formula. Ideally, claims about a branded formulation should eventually be supported by trials conducted on that formulation itself.
For now, we see NMN as an interesting and increasingly researched part of the longevity field — not a proven shortcut to slower aging. The more important question is shifting from “Does NMN raise NAD+?” toward “Does doing so produce meaningful and durable improvements in human health?”
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See our complete review of Wonderfeel Youngr™, including the 900 mg NMN formula, supporting ingredients, current human evidence, quality testing, pricing, and our overall assessment.
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