Last weekend during a conversation IV drips came into play, more specifically those “longevity & health” ones that are typically done by celebrities. These intravenous (IV) therapies, often touted for their supposed health benefits, have gained popularity not only for boosting overall wellness but also as a remedy for hangovers too.
The Celebrity Hype
IV drips are quite popular on social media, they’re also known as party drips, and celebrities swear by them. The concept is simple: a mix of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients are delivered directly into the bloodstream, promising quick recovery from a night out or a boost in energy levels. But is there actually any merit to these claims, or is it all placebo?
What's in an IV Drip?
The typical longevity IV drip contains a cocktail of ingredients such as Vitamin C, B vitamins, magnesium, calcium, and sometimes antioxidants like glutathione. The idea is that delivering these nutrients directly into the bloodstream bypasses the digestive system, allowing for quicker and more efficient absorption.
Common components are the following:
Vitamin C: Known for its immune-boosting properties.
B Vitamins: Important for energy production and cognitive function.
Magnesium: Crucial for muscle and nerve function.
Calcium: Essential for bone health.
Glutathione: A potent antioxidant that helps combat oxidative stress.
NAD+: A molecule that serves as a vital cofactor in metabolic reactions, and plays a critical role in cellular metabolism and energy production.
A quick search and I stumbled across a London “clinic” specialising in IV drips, that provides more than 15+ of these drips for various different treatment reasons, from detox, to anti-ageing, to even hair health. The most basic one, aka the Hydration Drip starts at £100 and basically contains electrolytes which makes sense why you will be more hydrated following it. I also saw pharmacies vitamin drips advertised starting at a couple of hundred pounds, as well as other longevity clinic offering this service.
The Science Behind IV Drips
The medical community remains divided on the efficacy of IV drips. Some studies suggest that they can indeed be beneficial in specific scenarios, such as severe dehydration or nutrient deficiencies, and as these are taken by IV they’re absorbed faster. Also, do consider that a lot of these celebrities that use them tend to have pretty poor lifestyles, from going out a lot, eating out, and drinking, however, for the average person, the benefits are less clear.
A study published in The Journal of Intensive Care Medicine found that while IV vitamin C might help reduce the length of stay in intensive care for critically ill patients, there is limited evidence supporting its use for the general population seeking a health boost or hangover cure .
Hangover Cure or Myth?
As for their hangover cure properties, well it’s a bit obvious as to why it works but that does not mean you need it. A hangover is usually a combination of dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and inflammation. IV drips can certainly address the hydration aspect more quickly than drinking water, but there is little scientific evidence to suggest they can alleviate other symptoms any faster than traditional remedies. There’s probably a huge placebo effect that comes into play.
While the allure of a quick fix is always tempting, it’s essential to approach longevity IV drips with a healthy dose of scepticism. For most people, a balanced diet, regular exercise, and adequate sleep will do more for your health and longevity than any IV drip. And say you want an IV drip for a specific purpose, look into the advertised ingredients and see what is in them, a supplement could also offer the same benefits long term at a reasonable cost too. Don’t forget that these are not actual medical treatments and they do probably pose risks.
Professor Stephen Powis commented regarding party drips that “People who are healthy do not need IV drips. At best they are an expensive way to fill your bladder – and then flush hundreds of pounds down the toilet – but at worst they can cause significant damage to your health.”
I'd love to hear your thoughts on longevity IV drips and whether you've tried them. Do they work for you, or do you think they're just an expensive trend?
I hope you enjoyed, thank you for taking some time out of your day to read to my post! See you next week! :)
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Thanks for sharing this super interesting piece!
I read about those hangover-IV drips, too. I can see why there is quite a bit of placebo in it. Like e.g. how would it cure an upset stomach after a night out? I also feel that if you have a bad hangover (which anyways is never a good thing) AND you need to get back on track fast, it was definetly not a good time to get drunk in the first place and your body still needs to recover, making you now push through...
I recently started getting IV drips for iron deficiencies (and not responding/digesting other types of iron supplements). Still waiting for new blood results to be taken, but overall, I responded quite well.
PS: Your AI cover picture looks stunning! Why don't you include it somewhere in your post, so people can enjoy it a bit longer - you put so much effort into it, show your work ☺️
I’d love to hear your thoughts about them for people with Chronic Illness and Rare Diseases. I personally had pretty much mastered my Ehlers Danlos (unlucky true genetic variant type) and when I wasn’t properly hydrating or giving myself enough electrolytes (need 2x the amount of a normal adult), I was fucked for a month or longer. Now I do a good job of staying on top of things, but they were a lifesaver for me about 3 years ago. And I do think for people with dehydration, but not insanely severe, it’s a way cheaper solution than an ER visit!!