In a world fixated with quick fixes, one wellness trend takes “getting to the point” quite literally.
Intravenous, or IV, vitamin infusions—once reserved for hospital visits—is one of the latest health fads making bold claims of delivering fast results for everything from hangovers and dehydration to more serious ailments like diabetes and even cardiovascular disease. IV vitamin therapy has become common, with chic drip bars popping up across cities, along with more spas and wellness centers adding the service to their menus. Some are even marketing vitamin cocktails as beauty treatments.
With their promises of fast-tracked healing for a variety of concerns, it begs the question: Which claims are actually backed by science?
IV therapy’s evolution from emergency medical intervention to lifestyle optimization has been on the rise for some time, with Dr. John Myers gaining prominence in the 1950s for what is now known as the Myers’ Cocktail—an IV infusion of magnesium, calcium, vitamin C and various B vitamins—to support patients with chronic conditions that included asthma, fatigue and fibromyalgia.
Social media boosted IV vitamin therapy’s popularity to new heights, and while plenty of studies have proven its importance for medical purposes, including treatment of nutrient deficiencies and dehydration, there’s a lack of solid evidence that supports the benefits for healthy individuals.
“The concept behind these therapies is that because you’re getting vitamins intravenously, there’s no problem with absorption and your body gets 100% of them, which is why it’s so beneficial,” explained Dr. Manisha Parulekar, who serves as director of the Division of Geriatrics at Hackensack University Medical Center in New Jersey and is an associate professor at Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine. “The problem is that there’s a reason why our body has this mechanism where our gut picks and chooses what we need and what needs to be absorbed at what rate. These checks and balances exist to prevent vitamin overload and its negative effects on the rest of the body.”
The Risks of IV Infusions
With IV infusions allowing nutrients to bypass the gut, there is the potential for side effects like nausea, fluid overload, vein irritation and electrolyte imbalance in healthy individuals.
Meanwhile, fat-soluble vitamins can build up and cause harm, with too much vitamin D potentially contributing to kidney problems and an excess of vitamin A causing yellowness of the skin and eyes, as well as toxicity to cells. Extra IV fluid can also be dangerous for people with high blood pressure, or kidney disease, potentially tipping them into heart or kidney failure.
Proponents of IV vitamin therapy tout its energy-boosting and anti-aging effects, among other things, but it’s likely that the extra fluids are responsible for these benefits.
“All of us are going to quickly feel better if we get an intravenous infusion because of the fluid component of it,” Parulekar said. “And there’s, of course, that placebo effect. If you go in thinking that you’re going to get a shot and then feel better, there is a good chance that you will because of the mindset that you went in with.”
And while this seems good, it’s easy to become fixated on IV drips, which can lead to anxious or compulsive health behaviors without any real proven benefits, Parulekar added.
For people with documented vitamin or mineral deficiencies, such as low iron or magnesium, or those with conditions like celiac disease that prevent proper absorption from the gut, IV vitamin therapy could be beneficial, however, it’s best to consult a doctor and obtain proper medical treatment.
“For people with deficiencies they can be helpful when done properly. For everyone else supplements can work just as well if not better for some, along with good nutrition, sleep, stress management, hydration and consistent lifestyle habits,” said Georgina Gleen, a registered nurse and independent nurse prescriber at U.K.-based vitamins and supplements supplier NAD+ At Home. “There’s no shortcut that replaces those.”
What to Look For
If you find yourself unable to resist the allure of IV vitamin therapy, make sure you’re choosing a facility with medical oversight. Clinics should operate under the supervision of a licensed physician and employ registered nurses, nurse practitioners or physician assistants.
You should also consult with your physician before undergoing any treatment and be sure to thoroughly complete a health intake form. Look for cleanliness, and it’s worth asking about their emergency protocols in the event something goes wrong. For things like iron infusions, there can be unpredictable allergic reactions and in severe cases, an anaphylactic reaction can be rapid and fatal if not managed immediately in a proper medical setting.