As much as a night on the town can be fun, what happens the day after is usually the opposite. A hangover is a set of uncomfortable symptoms that follow excess alcohol intake and includes thirst, nausea, headache, muscle ache, irritability, sweating, sensitivity to light and sound, and increased blood pressure. The symptoms dissipate after 24 to 72 hours but while they last, a person feels terrible.  

The fastest way our bodies can absorb nutrients is via intravenous fluids. Therefore, IV therapy can be a quick and effective way to alleviate hangover symptoms and replace lost nutrients.

Continue reading to learn how IV therapy may help cure a hangover.

What is Hangover IV Therapy?

IV therapy is a treatment where the patient receives nutrients and sometimes medications directly to the bloodstream, bypassing the digestive system. The medical professional inserts a tube leading from an IV bag into the patient’s vein via needle. The contents of the IV bag slowly drip through the tube into the patient’s bloodstream, instantly delivering the ingredients necessary for recovery.

Vibrant Vitality Clinic provides IV therapy to patients with a hangover to balance their electrolyte levels, increase hydration, relieve them of headache and muscle pain, and suppress nausea and vomiting.

Schedule a treatment today to quickly recover from a hangover!

Does IV Therapy Work for Hangover?

IV therapy may help patients feel better after heavy drinking because each ingredient in the treatment addresses specific causes of the hangover.  

Vibrant Vitality Clinic’s medical professionals use their specialized hangover IV therapy formula, which includes the following nutrients with water and electrolytes:

• Vitamin C

Alcohol is a diuretic and causes increased passing of fluids from the body. It also blocks the hormone ADH, which facilitates water reabsorption in the kidneys, resulting in dehydration. Vitamin C can help in this regard because it induces rapid rehydration.

The liver breaks down alcohol and, in the process, releases toxic by-products like acetaldehyde, whose buildup can cause a lot of damage to internal organs. Vitamin C is helpful in this situation because it has powerful antioxidant properties that neutralize toxic by-products.

• Vitamin B5

Vitamins from the B complex are water-soluble, and their levels usually decrease with high alcohol consumption because of the increased release of fluids. It is essential to replenish them after intoxication to restore energy levels, especially vitamins B5, B6, and B12.

Vitamin B5 is known to increase the activity of the enzyme ALDH, which is responsible for oxidizing the toxin acetaldehyde. Quick reintroduction of this vitamin into the body can speed up the removal of acetaldehyde and significantly reduce hangover symptoms.

• Vitamin B6

Vitamin B6 is a useful aid in curing a hangover because it reduces the severity of nausea and vomiting, improves one’s mood by increasing serotonin levels, and reduces fatigue by boosting energy levels. One study showed that vitamin B6 intake after heavy drinking reduced the severity of hangover symptoms by 50%.

• Vitamin B12

B12 is an essential nutrient for the proper functioning of the brain and the nervous system. Replenishing vitamin B12 levels may reduce fatigue, depression, brain fog and restore optimal energy levels.

• Niacinamide

Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3 responsible for repairing skin cell damage and maintaining healthy skin. It also helps convert food into energy. It is often used in IV therapy for a hangover to restore energy levels and to reduce the dulling effect of dehydration on the skin.

• Magnesium

Magnesium is an essential mineral for the proper functioning of muscles and the nervous system. Excessive alcohol consumption depletes the levels of magnesium in our blood, resulting in fatigue, brain fog, and depression. An instant increase of magnesium levels may help reduce hangover symptoms such as headache, depression, and low energy.

• Glutathione

Glutathione is a powerful antioxidant that combats inflammation caused by free radicals released during acetaldehyde breakdown. Alcohol consumption depletes the body of this nutrient, but IV therapy quickly restores it.

Note: The type of IV fluids used to treat hangovers, physical injuries, and other conditions is called hypotonic. Read our guide Types of IV Fluids to find out why hypotonic intravenous fluids are suitable for treating these conditions.

How Long Does the Treatment Last?

IV therapy for a hangover usually lasts between 30 and 60 minutes. The exact duration depends on the patient’s state and the necessary IV therapy dosage.

Vibrant Vitality Clinic’s kind medical staff and comfortable facilities make it easy for patients to sit back, relax, and enjoy the refreshing effects of IV therapy treatment.

Conclusion

A hangover can be an unpleasant experience, causing a range of uncomfortable symptoms. Fortunately, today’s innovative IV treatments can assist in bringing relief to patients and shortening the duration of a hangover. The therapy is worth scheduling ahead of an exciting night out.