How Does IV Therapy Help With Hangovers?

The contrast between the fun night out and the morning after couldn’t be any more drastic. But drinking one too many cocktails once in a while shouldn’t have to lead to you questioning your life choices or spending an entire day struggling to get out of bed. You might have tried classic remedies like stuffing down a greasy breakfast or mixing electrolytes into your water, but the reality is that the only true cure for a hangover is time. 

However…

This doesn’t mean there’s nothing more you can do to stop feeling those dreaded side effects.

Rather than rely on those long-standing popular beliefs, why not try a scientifically backed recovery tactic in the form of hangover IV therapy?

We’ll be discussing how IV therapy can help you effectively recover from a bad hangover – and potentially bust a myth or two! So, does IV therapy help with hangover symptoms? Let’s find out.

What Causes a Hangover?

Whether you decided to go out on the spur of the moment or were celebrating a significant event with a little (or a lot) of alcohol, there’s always the risk of developing a hangover (also known as veisalgia). 

What’s interesting about alcohol consumption is that even scientists are still discovering what goes on in our bodies when we’re drunk or hungover. There’s still some murkiness in the science, but there are many studies that back up or disprove certain claims. 

Older studies claim that the culprit of hangovers is acetaldehyde, a toxin that is a byproduct of alcohol being processed in the liver, but recent findings show that hangover symptoms are the worst when acetaldehyde levels are low. [1]  You might have also had your friends tell you to simply stay hydrated to avoid the dreaded hangover, but the science says there isn’t significant dehydration that comes with alcohol consumption in the first place. [2] Despite this, it’s recommended to always stay hydrated with water while drinking alcohol.

The only seemingly true fact about hangover causes is that the body has a much elevated immune system activity level thanks to higher levels of cytokines – proteins that control inflammation in the body. [3] This means that the best way to reduce your hangover severity is to drink in moderation.

Common Symptoms

Hangovers are the unfortunate, un-fun consequence of having fun. It comes with a host of symptoms, such as:

• Headaches
• Irritability and poor mood
• Nausea and vomiting
• Tiredness and weakness
• Dry mouth and general thirstiness
• Dizziness and shakiness
• Sensitivity to light and sound
• Increased blood pressure and faster heartbeat.
• Stomach pain

IV therapy is especially effective for hangovers because it can provide rapid relief from these uncomfortable symptoms and directly targets the physiological issues at the source.

What is IV Therapy?

But what is IV therapy?

IV therapy stands for intravenous therapy, a way to quickly introduce fluids, medication, nutrients, or blood into the bloodstream through a cannula, tube, and IV bag. Medical professionals use IV therapy for its immediacy, as going the oral route takes time and relies on the body to absorb substances effectively. Because those substances need to pass through the entire digestive system before being metabolized, they might not be absorbed properly, and much of the content could be lost. [4]

How IV Therapy Helps with Hangovers

Among the many purposes that IV therapy serves, one of them is helping alleviate the symptoms of a hangover. They’re commonly touted as a cure – but let’s be realistic – they won’t magically return you back to your pre-drinking state after your session. 

IV supplements are a useful way to replenish chemicals and nutrients lost from drinking, rehydrate the body, and reduce some of the damage done pain-wise. Instead of having to search for multiple ways to tackle all those symptoms you’re experiencing, you can consolidate recovery with an IV drip and a targeted infusion.

While many people may head to a wellness clinic and opt for a hydration bag – this alone won’t provide enough benefits to relieve your hangover. Wellness clinics provide specific blends that could include the following substances for specific benefits:

• Vitamin B12: Vitamin B12 has antioxidant properties that help reduce oxidative stress and prevent DNA damage [5]

• Vitamin B complex: B vitamins are lost after drinking alcohol, and alcohol inhibits the body’s ability to absorb them. [6]

• Magnesium: Magnesium is heavily lost in the urine because alcohol is a diuretic and requires it to metabolize. [7]

• Zinc: The enzymes responsible for breaking down ethanol and acetaldehyde in the body require zinc. Studies show that drinkers who have diets rich in zinc report less severe hangovers. [8] There is, however, no evidence to support that eating foods high in zinc immediately before drinking would help with hangover severity.

• Vitamin C: Vitamin C has shown promise as having a “partial protective role” in countering alcohol-induced hepatotoxicity – damage to the liver. [9]

• Glutathione: Reduces the effects of alcohol-induced oxidative stress and increases ethanol-metabolizing enzyme activity. [10]

• Pain medication: These specialized IV drip bags typically include medicines to target headaches and stomach pain.

IV Therapy vs. Traditional Remedies

What happens when we pit IV therapy for hangovers against other traditional remedies, such as hydration solutions and over-the-counter medications? Well, the greatest benefit of IV therapy is that it is fast-acting. No tradtional remedies are able to mimic the absorption power and immediacy of an IV drip, which means other tactics will take much longer to work – time that we often don’t want to waste.

Although we can select our own anti-nausea medications, pain relievers, and electrolyte solutions at the grocery store or pharmacy, IV hangover therapy is specifically conducted by healthcare professionals in a specialized space. There’s a particular professional oversight that you can feel confident in, where the administrator will monitor and control your therapy so you feel safe and comfortable. 

Another major benefit of IV therapy is that it is customizable. A healthcare provider can tailor the solution to include the right mix of substances to fit your circumstance and improve effectiveness. While the IV route might seem like a costly recovery tactic, its scientific backing makes the investment worthwhile.

How IV Therapy Stands Out for Hangover Relief

The reason why the hungover try all sorts of solutions in hopes of returning back to their normal state is simply because we don’t have the robust scientific evidence to provide an all-encompassing cure. While we wait for the medical industry to perform more valuable research, IV therapy proves to be a sound way to avoid the guesswork and reap a multitude of benefits in one go.

Rather than opt for single-ingredient solutions or half-hearted remedies, IV hangover therapy can usher your physiological systems back into balance with an all-in-one treatment. It’ll instantly address the root causes of your hangover and replenish your body with the lost hydration and nutrients it needs to recover.

If you’re a healthcare provider looking to offer IV therapy to your patients, Legere Pharmaceuticals is a private label supplement manufacturer pioneer that has been in the business for over 45 years. We offer a range of unique private label weight loss products like MICC injection, capsules, topical solutions, and IV kits that are suitable for a diverse patient base. Interested in expanding and modernizing your practice? Contact us today!