IV hydration therapy is a form of nutrition that allows us to bypass the digestive system to provide the body with nutrients, vitamins, and antioxidants via intravenous catheter into your bloodstream.

Dr. John Myers developed and administered the first IV vitamin drips in the 1970s. His research led to the famous Myers’ Cocktail. These infusions generally take anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour and occur within a medical office with a licensed medical professional observing the infusion.

Hydration therapy can be used for a number of reasons. Some people seek IV hydration as a hangover cure or for migraine treatment. Others find it useful for athletic recovery, stress relief or as a way to rehydrate after a long flight, an illness or a hot day in the sun. If your body is crying out for fluids and that lack of fluids is leaving you not feeling your best, hydration therapy can help.

With IV hydration, we can bypass the digestive system and its barrier that blocks or minimizes the absorption of some nutrients and antioxidants that are unable to pass into the bloodstream for our metabolism to make use of them.

This can speed recovery, improve fatigue, boost our metabolism and immune system.

Hydration therapy only takes about 30 to 45 minutes. You’ll get to enjoy a private room with many of the comforts of home. The only discomfort you may feel is a slight pinch when the IV needle is inserted. Other than that, you can just sit back and relax. By the time your treatment is done, you’ll likely already start feeling better, and you’ll reap the full benefits about 2 to 4 hours after treatment is completed.

Nothing in life is without risk of adverse or side effects, which is why this type of therapy is better done under medical supervision. Some of the effects you may experience depend on the mix you receive.

Patients with cardiac, kidney, and liver disease will need to be monitored closely, and some may not be eligible to take advantage of this therapy. It is important to discuss this with your primary care physician or qualified and experienced clinician if IV hydration would be safe for you to use.