IV Vitamin Therapy – Intravenous Elixirs on Tap

What Is An IV Vitamin Therapy?

IV vitamin therapy has emerged as the latest game-changer in wellness, where you have selected vitamins, minerals, and electrolytes directly administered into your bloodstream through a saline-based solution. The intravenous vitamin infusion gets into your blood through a small tube called an IV cannula that passes through your skin into a vein. An IV drip usually lasts between 30 minutes to an hour. Many people think of vitamin infusion therapy as the secret behind the glowing skin and boundless energy of their favorite celebrities and athletes.

Even though this health trend has only become famous recently to the broader public, it traces back to the 1970s with the pioneering “Myers' Cocktail” by Dr. John Myers. [1] These days, you can find drip bars and at-home IV infusions worldwide, which make this health trend a convenient and modern approach to self-care.

But why can’t you just take your vitamin supplements as usual?

IV Vitamin therapy claims to be a superior method that outpaces traditional oral supplements by delivering nutrients right to where your body can use them. While your body absorbs nutrients usually more slowly through the food you consume or the oral supplements you take, vitamin IV therapy is supposed to absorb nutrients at higher doses and more efficiently.

While it's a topic of ongoing scientific debate, IV vitamin therapy has certainly carved out its niche as the go-to quick fix for those in pursuit of peak wellness and health.

What Are the Benefits of an IV Vitamin Therapy?

With IV vitamin therapy, it comes down to improving and cherishing your wellness. We often talk or hear about wellness, but what exactly constitutes it?

The Baseline: Improve Your Wellness

Wellness is the active pursuit of activities, choices, and lifestyles that lead to a state of holistic health and well-being. In this context, IV drips aim to improve your wellness by providing a direct and efficient way to deliver essential nutrients and hydration to your body, aiding in the maintenance of optimal physical and mental function.

This new health trend promises to be a valuable tool in achieving and sustaining this comprehensive state of well-being. IV vitamin therapy benefits supposedly include a boost of the immune system, better skin health, and support of the digestive system, and they can be a means to recover your body after strenuous activities or demanding times in your life. [2]

1. Hydration – The Base for Your Health

There is a reason why every single doctor keeps saying, “Drink enough water,” no matter what issue or ailment we have. Our evolutionary origins from aquatic environments play a significant role in our inherent need for hydration. Water is fundamental to all the biological processes in our bodies because life on Earth, including our ancestor’s evolution, began in water, making it an essential element for our physiological functions and survival. [3]

Hydration is crucial for maintaining healthy blood pressure. Without enough fluids, your blood can become thicker, making your heart work harder to circulate it, potentially leading to elevated blood pressure. [4]

An IV vitamin treatment promises to offer many health benefits, with proper hydration being one of the most integral. Surprisingly, a significant number of people walk around dehydrated without realizing it, often mistaking signs of thirst for hunger or ignoring them altogether.

Proponents of IV drips claim that they are a powerful tool in combating dehydration, directly replenishing your body's fluids and electrolytes. Vitamin drips are proposed to be effective in rehydrating your body because the solution bypasses your digestive system, ensuring immediate absorption through your bloodstream and restoration of your body's fluid balance. One study found that IV drips can be beneficial for fluid-sensitive athletes. [5]

2. Skin Health – Make Your Skin Glow

If you're looking to enhance your skin health, many proponents of IV drips claim that IV vitamin therapy can give you an “immediate glow of skin and hair.” By choosing a drip with vitamins C & B and biotin, the modern treatment promises to target your skin concerns more precisely than topical treatments can, helping you achieve a more radiant and healthy complexion and shiny hair. [6]

3. A Mean of Recovery – Professional Athletes

If you're an athlete recovering from demanding sports events, an IV drip is said to be a powerful tool in your recovery arsenal. Infusions rich in magnesium and calcium aim to help with muscle recovery, bone health, and restoring energy levels. These essential minerals are capable of supporting your recovery process, replenishing depleted storage capacity after intense physical exertion, and helping maintain optimal performance and well-being. [7]

4. A Boost for Your Immune System – Resilience, please!

If you're looking to boost your immune system, an immune-focused IV drip promises to deliver key immune-enhancing nutrients and antioxidants like vitamin C, Zinc, and Selenium directly into your bloodstream. These nutrients are known for their roles in supporting immune function, fighting off infections, and reducing inflammation. [8]

5. Digestive Health – A Gift for Those with Absorption Issues

An IV drip can be a valuable tool to support digestive health for those having absorption issues or digestive illnesses. By delivering nutrients that are essential for gut function, like Vitamin B12, magnesium, and amino acids, directly into your bloodstream, bypassing the digestive system, IV vitamin therapy is often the treatment of choice in clinical environments. [9]

Dr. John Myers, known for pioneering IV therapy, frequently used IV drips to address digestive problems, praising their ability to provide rapid relief and aid in the healing of the digestive tract. Alan Gaby, who treated some of Myers' patients after the original pioneer passed away in 1984, published his own findings after prescribing IV vitamin therapy to an estimated 800–1,000 patients. He documented 16 years of his clinical results, including using the Myer’s cocktail in various treatments of many disorders. Gaby reports IV drips to be a safe and effective treatment. [2] [10]

What Are the Side Effects of IV Vitamin Therapy?

While vitamin IV treatments supposedly offer some health benefits, they also come with potential drawbacks, which should be largely mitigated under the watchful eye of a healthcare professional adhering to strict safety protocols.

It's crucial to consult with a healthcare provider to ensure the treatment is tailored to your individual health needs and to monitor for any adverse reactions.

The following side effects can theoretically occur during IV vitamin therapy: [2]

1. Injection Site Reactions

   Pain, bruising, redness, or inflammation at the injection site.

2. Allergic Reactions

   Ranging from mild itching or rash to severe reactions.

3. Vein Inflammation and Clotting

   Known as phlebitis, which can occur due to the IV needle or the solution itself.

4. Electrolyte Imbalance

   Overdose of certain water-soluble vitamins and minerals can disrupt the body's electrolyte balance, leading to issues like heart irregularities or muscle weakness.

5. Fluid Overload

   Excessive hydration can strain the heart and kidneys, particularly in people with pre-existing heart or kidney conditions.

6. Nausea and Headaches

   Some people experience these symptoms due to the rapid infusion of certain vitamins or medications.

Who Should Consider IV Vitamin Therapy?

People with Nutrient Absorption Challenges

Those facing chronic deficiencies or issues with nutrient absorption from food may find IV vitamin therapy beneficial.

Athletes and High-Stress Professionals

Athletes, busy professionals, or anyone with a high-stress lifestyle might benefit from enhanced hydration through tailored nutrient infusions. [5]

Recovery from Surgery or Illness

IV vitamin therapy may be effective for people recovering from surgery or illness, providing rapid replenishment of essential vitamins and minerals to boost recovery and overall well-being. [5]

How Much Does an IV Drip Cost?

The cost of an IV drip can vary widely depending on the type of infusion, the location, and the provider, typically ranging from CHF 100 to several hundred dollars per drip.

Specialty drips with specific nutrient combinations or added medications can be more expensive, and usually, at-home treatments are more expensive than drip bars.

It's also worth noting that these treatments are often not covered by your insurance, as they are usually considered elective or wellness procedures.