Taking a supplement called nicotinamide riboside every day for up to 20 weeks doesn't seem to help improve thinking skills in adults who are still dealing with long-term effects from COVID-19.

What we've found so far suggests that nicotinamide riboside does not improve cognitive function in adults with long-COVID. Our analysis of the available research shows no evidence that the supplement helps with thinking skills in this group. We reviewed one key assertion based on current evidence, which indicates that taking nicotinamide riboside daily for up to 20 weeks does not lead to improvements in cognitive function for adults experiencing long-term effects from COVID-19 [1]. This finding is supported by 66.0 studies or data points, with no studies suggesting the opposite. While the number of supporting studies appears high, we note that only one distinct assertion was analyzed, meaning the evidence may come from a single study or pooled data reported as one claim. Our current analysis shows the evidence leans toward no benefit for cognitive function from using nicotinamide riboside in this population. However, we emphasize that this is based on limited assertions—just one claim reviewed so far—even if multiple studies contribute to it. We cannot rule out the possibility that future evidence might add nuance, especially regarding specific subgroups, longer treatment durations, or different outcome measures. We don’t yet have enough diverse findings to say how this result might apply to all people with long-COVID. Cognitive symptoms vary widely, and what doesn’t work for one aspect of thinking (like memory or focus) might not reflect effects on other areas. Practical takeaway: Based on what we’ve reviewed so far, taking nicotinamide riboside is unlikely to help with thinking problems caused by long-COVID. We’ll update our analysis as more data becomes available.