NMNH vs NMN: What Is The Difference?

NMN remains the evidence-based choice for most adults today because it has human data and a documented safety profile. NMNH (the reduced form of NMN) looks metabolically powerful in cells and mice but it still lacks human trials. Until those arrive, choose NMN for confidence, and treat NMNH as a research-grade option.

If you are looking to boost NAD+ levels, you might have seen a new kid on the block: NMNH. It’s a reduced form of the beloved NMN, and people seem to claim that it works better. Does it really though? We don’t know - because there aren’t any human studies comparing NMN and NMNH.

However, let’s explore the differences between these two compounds and see what fits your needs better.

What’s The Difference Between NMN And NMNH?

NMNis an oxidized nucleotide that cells convert to NAD+ via the classical salvage pathway. NMNH is the reduced analog (dihydronicotinamide mononucleotide). Chemically, NMNH carries one extra hydrogen on the nicotinamide ring.

What Is NMNH Supplement?

It's a reduced form of NMN. Studies show that it may be able to boost NAD+ more than NMN. However, it's efficacy in humans is untested.

A 2021 paper demonstrated that NMNH increased NAD+ levels higher than NMN in mammalian cells and in mice. However, it was also found to be suppressing cell growth and metabolism.
Similarly, another paper found that NMNH can increase NAD+ levels faster and higher than NMN and NR. And that it was bioavailable to most tissues in the body.

How NMN vs NMNH Climb To NAD+

NMN mainly becomes NAD+ via NAMPT after being produced or transported in the salvage cycle. On the other hand, NMNH can be directly used by NMNAT to form NADH. That’s because NMNH skips the NAMPT-step, and goes through a shorter pathway to NAD+.

Picture NAD+ synthesis as a multi-lane interchange. NMN uses the main highway with a couple of toll booths (NAMPT) before it reaches NMNAT, which finally merges you into NAD+ City. But unlike NMN, NMNH uses a bypass road that drops you near the city center quicker entry.

Now you might be wondering, NMNH clearly seems to be more impressive than NMN; what’s the catch? Well, there’s always a catch. A faster route is impressive, but the destination (durable, safe clinical benefit in humans) still needs human trials for NMNH. That’s where NMNH cannot outperform NMN - solid, clinical evidence from human studies. And we are going to talk about that next.

Is NMNH Safe?

NMNH has not been tested in clinical trials. Therefore, we can’t say anything about its safety. On the other hand, NMN has been extensively tested in short-term human trails.

Additionally, studies have shown that NMNH can slow down metabolism. It inhibits glycolysis and the TCA cycle, which is a major pathway for energy production in the cells. Surprisingly, it also slows cell cycle progression at higher exposure.

Therefore, in the longer run, NMNH might not be as effective as NMN. However, we will need longer trials to figure out the safety and efficacy of long-term use for either of them.

What Benefits Can You Expect From NMNH

We currently do not have any human data to show benefits of NMNH. On the other hand, NMN has proven to be quite effective at targeting a myriad of different conditions.

NMN has the decision-ready evidence base for people. NMNH has eye-catching lab power but no human efficacy data yet.

Should You Choose NMN Or NMNH?

Currently, everyone should choose NMN over NMH simply because of the overwhelming amount of human data that’s already available for NMN. On the other hand, people should be cautious of NMNH due to the lack of clinical studies.

A clinical trial for NMNH had concluded towards the start of 2025. As of the time that we are writing this article, that trial has yet to publish its data anywhere - including non-peer-reviewed platforms. Thus, we can’t say much about NMNH’s efficacy right now.

Pick NMN if you want a well-studied, human-tolerated path to better NAD+ status with predictable day-to-day use.

Final Takeaway: NMN vs NMNH For 2025

In the fight of NMNH vs NMN, choose NMN for an evidence-first NAD+ plan right now.

Watch NMNH closely. It is a serious biochemical contender with strong preclinical momentum. But it needs human pharmacokinetics, dose-finding, and safety trials before routine use.

If you are ready to add decades of health to your life, try Ultra Pure NMN™ - science-backed, rigorously third-party tested, ultra high purity NMN supplement!

References

Zapata-Pérez, R., Tammaro, A., Schomakers, B. V., et al. (2021). Reduced nicotinamide mononucleotide is a new and potent NAD+ precursor in mammalian cells and mice. The FASEB Journal, 35(4), e21456. https://doi.org/10.1096/fj.202001826R
Liu, Y., Luo, C., Li, T., et al. (2021). Reduced nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMNH) potently enhances NAD+ and suppresses glycolysis, the TCA cycle, and cell growth. Journal of Proteome Research, 20(5), 2596–2606. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jproteome.0c01037