ATP Overdrive: Methylene Blue, NAD⁺, or BHB – Which Powers You Best?​

By: Marc Lobliner, IFBB Pro

You want energy. Not the “two cups of coffee and hope for the best” kind—real, cellular, deep-in-your-core energy. The kind that fuels your workouts, sharpens your brain, and keeps your metabolism firing like a jet engine.

And when we’re talking about energy at the cellular level, we’re really talking about ATP—adenosine triphosphate, your body’s raw currency of energy.

There’s a lot of buzz in the biohacking and performance world about three major players in the ATP game: Methylene Blue, NAD⁺, and BHB (beta-hydroxybutyrate). I’ve used all of them, studied the data, and I’m here to break it down so you know what’s hype and what’s high-performance fuel.

Methylene Blue: The Electron Shortcut

What it does:
Methylene Blue is an old-school compound with modern-day mitochondrial benefits. It acts like a bypass lane on the mitochondrial highway—accepting electrons from NADH and donating them directly to cytochrome c in the electron transport chain. Translation? It skips the parts of your mitochondria that are typically sluggish or broken down (Complex I and III).

Why it matters:

• Boosts ATP in aging or damaged mitochondria

• Reduces oxidative stress (less ROS = less cellular damage)

• Neuroprotective, especially in conditions like Alzheimer’s

When to use it:
If you’re battling chronic fatigue, cognitive decline, or recovering from stress or illness, this is a smart hack. It doesn’t replace fuel—it fixes the engine.

NAD⁺: The Spark Plug of Metabolism

What it does:
NAD⁺ is a coenzyme, which basically means it’s the unsung hero behind hundreds of metabolic processes. It helps shuttle electrons during glycolysis and the Krebs cycle so you can get those electrons into the electron transport chain.

Why it matters:

• Activates sirtuins and PARPs (DNA repair + longevity genes)

• Supports mitochondrial biogenesis (more, better mitochondria)

• Essential for healthy metabolism, especially with age

When to use it:
If you’re over 35, chronically stressed, or metabolically sluggish, NAD⁺ is your best friend. It doesn’t directly create energy—but it ensures your body can make energy more efficiently over time.

BHB: Clean Energy Fuel, Anytime, Anywhere

What it does:
BHB is a ketone body—the fuel your liver creates when carbs are low or when you’re fasting. Unlike glucose, BHB skips glycolysis and heads straight into the TCA cycle via acetyl-CoA. It’s ultra-efficient and creates more ATP per molecule than glucose—with way less inflammation.

Why it matters:

• Powers the brain, muscles, and mitochondria when glucose is low

• Improves mitochondrial function and gene expression

• Acts as an HDAC inhibitor, which boosts long-term metabolic health

When to use it:
Anytime you want clean energy—fast. Whether you’re fasting, keto, or just want a performance boost without carbs, BHB delivers. And yes, I take goBHB daily because it’s the most bioavailable, clinical-grade ketone on the market. And we make it.