# Harvard Doctor: The Hidden Reason Behind Low Energy, Aging, and Cognitive Decline (And How to Fix It)

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/kwik-brain-with-jim-kwik-55386/harvard-doctor-the-hidden-reason-behind-low-energy-aging-and-cognitive-decline-and-how-to-fix-it
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/kwik-brain-with-jim-kwik-55386/harvard-doctor-the-hidden-reason-behind-low-energy-aging-and-cognitive-decline-and-how-to-fix-it.md
Podcast: [Kwik Brain with Jim Kwik](https://stenobird.com/podcast/kwik-brain-with-jim-kwik-55386)
Published: 2026-03-09T10:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://rss.art19.com/episodes/231cf03a-6aaf-4b03-817f-3397ffd05d4a.mp3?rss_browser=BAhJIg90cmFuc2NyaWJyBjoGRVQ%3D--952c5701c84ad333c69d5faa668f8177091704f0
Audio file: https://rss.art19.com/episodes/231cf03a-6aaf-4b03-817f-3397ffd05d4a.mp3?rss_browser=BAhJIg90cmFuc2NyaWJyBjoGRVQ%3D--952c5701c84ad333c69d5faa668f8177091704f0
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Duration seconds: 1847

## Resource

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://tidd.ly/3Y990Xi  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

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## Transcript

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