Top 5 Reasons of IV Therapy for Wellness

IV therapy has become one of the most popular wellness trends — and for good reason. From boosting energy to glowing skin, IV drips deliver nutrients directly into your bloodstream for fast, effective results. Whether you’re recovering from a tough week or just looking to feel your best, here’s why more people are turning to IV therapy. Below are five common reasons people try IV therapy — and what research suggests about each.

What Is IV Therapy and How Does It Work?

IV (intravenous) therapy delivers vitamins, minerals, and fluids directly into your bloodstream through a small catheter placed in your arm. Because it bypasses digestion, your body absorbs nearly 100% of the nutrients — much faster than through food or oral supplements. Sessions typically last 30–60 minutes and are tailored to your wellness goals.

1. Rehydration After Illness, Workouts, or Travel

One of the most common reasons people get IV therapy is to rehydrate quickly. Whether you’ve had a stomach bug, a long flight, or an intense workout, IV fluids restore electrolytes and hydration more efficiently than drinking water alone. Many hydration drips include a blend of sodium, potassium, and magnesium to help your body recover and feel refreshed faster.

In athletes, IV rehydration has been shown to restore fluid balance faster than drinking water, and may reduce heart rate and stress hormone (norepinephrine) responses, though the clinical benefits (in real-life performance) are modest.
However, standard oral hydration often suffices for many people, and the difference may be small outside extreme circumstances.

2. Boosting Energy and Reducing Fatigue

Feeling drained or struggling with low energy? IV therapy can deliver a powerful energy boost through nutrients like vitamin B12, B-complex vitamins, and magnesium. These nutrients support metabolism and cellular energy production, helping you feel more alert and focused — without relying on caffeine or energy drinks.

There is a need for more high-quality evidence supporting energy or fatigue reduction in healthy individuals from IV vitamin therapy.
Users share of improved clarity and vitality after IV infusions.
IV supplementation provides the most benefits to people with nutrient deficiencies or malabsorption conditions (e.g. after gastric surgery).

3. Strengthening the Immune System

Immune-boosting IV drips are especially popular during cold and flu season or before travel. These infusions often contain vitamin C, zinc, and glutathione, which help your body fight infections and reduce recovery time. Regular immune drips can help keep you feeling strong, especially during stressful or high-exposure times.

Vitamin C is well-known to support immune cells in lab studies and animal models: it helps white blood cell function, supports oxidative balance, and modulates inflammation.
Some studies of high-dose IV vitamin C in hospitalized patients (e.g. sepsis or COVID-19) show reductions in inflammatory markers or shorter hospital stays.
There is not enough clinical evidence that immune support IV drips prevent colds or infections in healthy individuals.

4. Recovering from Hangovers or Alcohol Use

After a night out, IV therapy can help you bounce back fast. “Hangover drips” combine fluids, electrolytes, B vitamins, and anti-nausea medication to ease symptoms like dehydration, headache, and fatigue. Many people feel relief within an hour, making this a go-to option for quick recovery after overindulging.

Clinical studies on IV drips for “hangover cures” are limited, but many people find they bounce back faster thanks to the quick rehydration and nutrient/electrolyte replenishment.
In medically supervised settings (e.g. emergency rooms), IV fluids are standard for severe dehydration, but whether adding high-dose vitamins further helps is unclear.

5. Beauty and Skin Glow Support

Health reasons aside, IV therapy is also widely used for appearances. IV therapy isn’t just about feeling better — it’s also about looking your best. “Beauty drips” are designed to support healthy skin, hair, and nails with nutrients like vitamin C, biotin, and glutathione (a powerful antioxidant known for its skin-brightening benefits). Regular treatments can help improve hydration, elasticity, and overall skin glow.

IV drips may improve skin glow or beauty due to proper hydration and nutrient replenishment.
Some nutrient therapies (e.g. IV vitamin C in cancer or critically ill settings) show improved quality of life or reduced side effects.

Who Should Consider IV Therapy

IV therapy is most helpful in certain medical situations or for people with specific needs:

People with malabsorption or GI disease (e.g. after bariatric surgery) who can’t absorb nutrients well
Patients recovering from serious illness who need rapid repletion
Those under medical supervision who have deficiency confirmed by lab testing

But for healthy individuals, the benefits are still being explored, but remain highly popular among:

Busy professionals who want quick wellness support
Athletes recovering from workouts
Travelers dealing with jet lag or dehydration
New moms replenishing nutrients post-pregnancy
Anyone looking for a wellness or beauty boost

Before starting, always check with a licensed provider to ensure IV therapy is right for you and choose a reputable clinic that tailors each treatment to your health needs.

Bottom Line

IV therapy can deliver nutrients fast, but for most well-nourished people, it’s not a guaranteed “boost.” Some real uses (like rehydration and correcting deficiency) have good logic behind them. But many of the other wellness reasons for IV therapy (immune boost, glowing skin, hangover cure) are based more on people’s experiences rather than solid clinical studies.

If you try IV therapy:

Choose a trusted provider who uses sterile practices
Ask to see lab results so you’re getting what you actually need
View it as supportive, not a replacement for healthy habits (sleep, diet, exercise)

At Heally, we connect patients with licensed clinicians who can guide you through IV therapy safely and effectively. Schedule a free consultation today to explore whether NAD+ IV therapy is right for you.

Sources

NIH National Cancer Institute: Intravenous Vitamin C (PDQ®)–Health Professional Version
PubMed Central: To IV or Not to IV: The Science Behind Intravenous Vitamin Therapy
Merck Manual: Intravenous Vitamin Therapy (Myers’ Cocktail)
Mayo Clinic: IV Vitamin therapy: Understanding the lack of proven benefit and potential risks of this health fad
PubMed Central: Efficacy of intravenous vitamin C in management of moderate and severe COVID-19: A double blind randomized placebo controlled trial
Frontiers in Immunology: The Effect of Vitamin C on Pathological Parameters and Survival Duration of Critically Ill Coronavirus Disease 2019 Patients: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Annals of Palliative Medicine: Beneficial aspects of high dose intravenous vitamin C on patients with COVID-19 pneumonia in severe condition: a retrospective case series study
PubMed Central: Vitamin C and Immune Function
NIH: Intravenous Multivitamin Therapy Use in Hospital or Outpatient Settings: A Review of Clinical Effectiveness and Guidelines
BMJ Journals: Intravenous vitamin injections: where is the evidence?
SAGE Journals: Intravenous Fluid Use in Athletes

Medical Disclaimer

This content is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendation. Information about prescriptions and therapies is provided for general understanding and may not apply to individual situations. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before making decisions about testing, treatment, or lifestyle changes that could affect your health.

Important Note

FDA-approved medications and diagnostic tools discussed in this article have specific indications, dosing, and monitoring requirements. Off-label uses or unregulated supplements may carry additional safety, quality, and effectiveness risks. Never start, stop, or change any medical regimen without guidance from a licensed clinician who can consider your full medical history and current health status.