Shared topic: brain health
Harvard Doctor: The Hidden Reason Behind Low Energy, Aging, and Cognitive Decline (And How to Fix It)
March 9, 2026
Dr. Andrew Salzman, MD, is a physician, inventor, and biomedical entrepreneur with more than three decades of experience in drug discovery, biotechnology, and cellular medicine. Trained at Harvard Medical School, Yale University, and Columbia University, Dr. Salzman has spent his career studying human biology at the deepest levels, including DNA repair, immune signaling, the gut microbiome, and cellular aging.
He has published more than 170 scientific papers, holds over 60 patents, has been cited in over 12,000 peer-reviewed studies, and has helped raise more than $165 million in NIH research funding. One of his most influential breakthroughs was the invention of the original clinical-stage PARP-1 inhibitor, a discovery that contributed to the first treatments for BRCA-related cancers by restoring cellular NAD levels.
Today, Dr. Salzman serves as Chief Medical Officer of Wonderfeel Biosciences, where he focuses on translating decades of research into practical strategies that support cellular resilience, brain energy, and healthy aging.
Our content may include sponsorship and affiliate links, through which we earn a small commission on sales made through those links.
Most people think feeling tired, foggy, and “off” is just what happens with age.
But what if the real issue is that your cells are running on less fuel than they used to?
In this episode of the Kwik Brain podcast, I sit down with Dr. Andrew Salzman, Harvard-trained physician, inventor, and biomedical entrepreneur, to unpack what’s happening at the cellular level when energy drops and your brain stops feeling sharp.
We break down NAD, a molecule involved in hundreds of critical reactions in the body, why it declines as you age, and how inflammation can accelerate that decline. We also talk about NMN, and why your brain is often the first place you feel the effects when cellular energy dips.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
☑️ What NAD does for energy, cognition, and resilience
☑️ Why NAD drops so significantly by midlife
☑️ How NMN works as a precursor to support NAD production
☑️ The “bathtub” model: why boosting NAD is not just about adding more, but also slowing the drain
☑️ How inflammation can drive NAD depletion through CD38
☑️ Why better cellular energy can translate into clearer thinking, better memory, and sharper focus
If you’ve been feeling like your brain isn’t firing the way it used to, your energy is unpredictable, or your focus is slipping, this episode will help you understand what’s happening underneath the surface and what you can do to support your brain at the level where performance actually starts: your cells.
💊 Products Mentioned: Wonderfeel Youngr™ NMN: https://www.jimkwik.com/wonder
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Show Notes:
**This week’s show notes are taken from the video — enjoy!**
03:08 What’s Happening at a Cellular Level as We Age?
04:54 Aging: What We Can and Cannot Control
06:00 The Role of NAD in Cellular Health
06:54 NAD Levels Drop by Half by Age 50
07:21 How NMN Supports NAD
08:35 NAD Production vs. Depletion
10:25 The Number One Way to Avoid NAD Depletion
11:06 How the CD38 Enzyme Depletes NAD
11:37 The Myth of Passive Aging
17:53 CD38’s Role in NAD Depletion and Menopause
20:29 Why the Brain Needs High Levels of NAD
22:12 Cognitive Benefits of Restoring NAD Levels
29:33 Dr. Salzman’s Simple Truth for Long-Term Health
Take a screenshot, tag us (@jimkwik &@getwonderfeel) and share your biggest takeaway.
Selected links from the episode:
💊 Products Mentioned:
Wonderfeel Youngr™ NMN: https://www.jimkwik.com/wonder
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