The roll call of celebrities who have used IV drip therapy reads like a who’s who in the entertainment industry – vitamin B12 for Madonna, NAD + for Justin Bieber, energy boosters for Rihanna and Adele! But what is IV drip therapy? In this article, we provide an overview of the procedure – its emerging benefits, and safety concerns, and answer the all-important question of whether or not you should be using IV therapy for ‘cosmetic’ purposes.
What is IV therapy?
Intravenous therapy (IV therapy) is the direct infusion of a water-based solution – inside the vein – and into the bloodstream to enhance body functions. The water-based solution, designed to mirror bodily physiological fluids, typically contains a mix of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants carefully cocktailed together.
The nutrients are maximally absorbed (as they bypass enzymatic breakdown in the digestive system) causing the effects of IV therapy to kick in much faster than any dietary rejig or oral supplement would.
Who can use IV therapy?
The usage of medical grade IV drips has been standard practice in hospitals since the 1960s. It is often the first line of treatment when a patient is admitted and can be tailored for almost every medical condition – if only to boost strength and prop up the body for treatments to follow.
Traditional IV drip usage is widespread and helps :
- Patients who have incurred major burns from fire or heat-related accidents to feed without pain or additional risks and get a quicker rejuvenation of their skin.
- Patients who are too sick to eat, get the nutrients that their body needs.
- Patients who are struggling with diarrhea or issues related to malabsorption to feed regardless.
- Patients who have severe dehydration associated with diabetes or other kidney conditions to rapidly rehydrate.
- Patients who cannot chew/swallow due to oral cancer, lack of teeth, acid reflux, or recent gastrointestinal surgery and those suffering from conditions like Crohn’s disease to supplement or alternate their liquid diets.
- High-performance athletes, especially those in hot and humid conditions, more quickly restore body fluids and stave off symptoms of dehydration.
How do you Feel After Nad IV?
Nowadays, you can find several IV boutiques and drip bars across major cities, with drip solutions tailored to perform functions ranging from the traditional to the ‘cosmetic’.
Some of the more cosmetic functions are helping patients to feel energized, alert, more confident, and relaxed.
You feel energized
IV drips can provide a sustainable energy boost – targeted from the cellular level, in a way that energy drinks simply cannot match. B-vitamins, which are notable NAD precursors (NAD and NAD+ are vital enzymes that power the creation of cellular energy), can be added to the drip solutions to cover NAD deficiencies and help the body harness the energy-producing capabilities of the powerful compound.
You feel alert and more focused
IV fluids rehydrate the body and can replenish the water lost from alcohol binges to restore alertness. Sodium chloride, an electrolyte and a key component of standard IV fluids helps to alleviate brain fog, headaches, nausea/ stomach pain, and general effects of overdrinking that can otherwise cause distraction and hangover.
The IV fluid may also include anti-inflammatory and anti-nausea elements that further reduce the effects of these symptoms.
You feel more confident
It’s a common saying that ‘if you’re confident in your skin, you can face the world with confidence’. Well, not many people are confident in their skin. Millions of people look at the world from a lens of inferiority because of poor skin conditions, obesity, etc. IV therapy can work on self-image from a literal ‘outside-in’ by improving the appearance of your skin, slowing down aging, and aiding your weight loss journey.
IV drip supplements like Carnitine and alpha-lipoic acid promote weight loss as a mono-therapy or, more potently, in combination with healthy eating, exercise, and other lifestyle changes. While Carnitine is an amino acid that delivers fat to the mitochondria for energy conversion, alpha-lipoic acid is an antioxidant that works to eliminate toxins and reverse age-related oxidant damage. On the exterior, this translates to skin rejuvenation and reduced skin laxity.
Glutathione, another compound with incredible anti-aging properties, is also commonly added to IV drips tailored for skin care, as are B vitamins, which enhance NAD levels and provide numerous benefits for the skin.
See also: IV Hydration Therapy Benefits
You feel relaxed
Compounds like arginine ornithine (an amino acid) or magnesium sulfate, when added to IV drips, help to relax blood vessels by regulating their dilation and contraction rhythm. In the case of magnesium sulfate, it causes muscle relaxation and can calm feelings of anxiety. It is also a key component of Epsom salt, the naturally occurring crystalline compound that is added to warm baths around the world to relieve stress, muscle pain, and even depression!
Furthermore, antioxidants like vitamin C and the already mentioned alpha-lipoic acid can also be included in IV drips to provide additional protection from free radicals, which are the main causative agents of oxidative stress and anxiety.
Related Article: IV Therapy Benefits
You feel stronger and healthier
Aligning with more traditional uses, IV drips provide strength and can be tailored with additional nutrients to directly combat various illnesses.
- Ascorbic acid can be added to boost immune functions – helping with the management of colds, asthma, and various allergies.
- Calcium and magnesium can be added to regulate blood pressure and improve cardiovascular health
- Amino acids can be added to relax blood vessels and potentially lift the spirits of those going through terminal diseases.
- Saline can be added to replenish lost fluids during a bout of food poisoning, alongside B vitamins to provide energy, glutathione for anti-inflammation, and zinc to aid the functioning of white blood cells.
- Sodium chloride and other electrolytes can also be added, along with anti-nausea medications, to alleviate morning sickness and other first-trimester pregnancy symptoms.
Related Article: How Long does IV Therapy Take?
Side effects of IV therapy
Some of IV therapy risks are outlined below:
- The needles and skin opening may introduce outside pathogens into the bloodstream potentially leading to infections and diseases.
- IV therapy can cause air embolisms, which happen when the water-based solution releases air or gas into the vascular system.
- It may lead to electrolyte imbalance or an overdose of certain elements/vitamins in the body, i.e., potassium overdose, which can distort the heart’s rhythm; vitamin C overdose, which can produce oxalates that increase the risk of kidney stones, and thiamin overdose, which can result in anaphylaxis.
- Volume overload can also occur, causing excess fluid in the bloodstream to spill out from the vascular system into the lungs, potentially leading to pulmonary edema and heart failure.
- Some vitamin mixes are unsafe for people with certain medical conditions, and nutrients can also be toxic (or trigger toxic reactions), which may overload the kidneys that are tasked with removing the toxins.
Conclusion
IV therapy certainly has an essential place in medical treatment, but is it necessary for more cosmetic functions like skin care, weight loss, and relieving stress? Although evidence suggests that the pros outweigh the cons, several viable alternatives for these functions exist that do not tamper with the body’s highly regulated and complex fluid mechanics.
If you must proceed with IV therapy, we advise that you first consult with your doctor and employ the services of an experienced and trustworthy professional, up-to-the-minute certified for the purpose.
Why Elegant Hoopoe?
Elegant Hoopoe is a health and aesthetics center in Dubai specializing in non-invasive fat reduction, muscle building, skin appearance, and more. The company has an IV boutique stocked with ultra-quality solutions sourced directly from the US and administered by experts in the field.
