NYC woman dead after receiving a longevity infusion
A NYC woman dead after an intravenous NAD⁺ "longevity infusion" has drawn sharp warnings from longevity researchers about unproven treatments. Elizabeth Baron, 27, died following a procedure at a New York City wellness clinic. The clinic's owner was charged with reckless endangerment and unauthorized practice of a profession.
Key Takeaways
- Elizabeth Baron, 27, died after an IV NAD⁺ infusion at Bereshit Lifestyle Center in New York City.
- Owner Luis Rojas Cabrera was charged with reckless endangerment and unauthorized practice; he is not U.S.-licensed.
- Experts say the case highlights risks of unproven longevity therapies and unlicensed practitioners.
- Human evidence for NAD⁺ infusions remains thin; researchers urge proven care and lifestyle basics.
What happened to the NYC woman after the infusion?
Earlier this week, according to reporting from Lifespan Research Institute, Baron received an intravenous infusion at Bereshit Lifestyle Center. The procedure was performed by 55-year-old Luis Rojas Cabrera, the clinic's owner.
Cabrera was taken into custody by the NYPD and charged with reckless endangerment and unauthorized practice of a profession. He was later released without bail but ordered to surrender his passport. He claims medical training in the Dominican Republic but is not licensed to practice medicine in the United States.
Why does a longevity infusion matter to biohacking?
The infusion was supposed to contain NAD⁺ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide), a coenzyme tied to energy production and DNA repair and a popular topic in longevity and biohacking circles. NAD⁺ levels generally decline with age, which has fueled demand for supplements and IV drips.
Most human research has focused on oral precursors such as NR and NMN rather than direct NAD⁺ infusions. Experts note that infusion marketing often outpaces clinical evidence, while proven longevity gains still center on diet, exercise, and other basics. A similar scare last year at RAADfest involved peptide injections in a setting where some practitioners reportedly were not properly licensed; two people nearly died.
What are experts saying about the risks?
Dr. Matt Kaeberlein of Optispan called the story heartbreaking and stressed that experimental interventions carry unknown risks—from biology and manufacturing to preparation or dosing errors. He urged waiting for the medical examiner's findings before blaming a specific ingredient.
Dr. Andrea Maier of the National University of Singapore said healthy longevity medicine must rest on evidence, clinical governance, and patient safety. Dr. Evelyne Bischof of the Healthy Longevity Medicine Society warned that substances that are neither FDA-approved nor guideline-backed raise serious sourcing and quality-control concerns.
Kaeberlein's advice: prioritize interventions shown to improve health, and when medication is appropriate, work with a qualified professional and stick to FDA-approved drugs from legitimate sources.