Whether you’re a DC resident or are visiting the nation’s capital for a vacation, no one can function well with a hangover. Hangover IVs are listed among the hundreds of other fast hangover cures on the internet. They are advertised to speed up your recovery and alleviate your symptoms quickly, but can they really get you back on your feet?
In fact, yes! To understand why a hangover IV actually works, it’s important to understand why a hangover happens in the first place.
Why do hangovers happen, anyway?
We all know that hangovers happen after you’ve had too much to drink. More specifically, your unpleasant symptoms result from a combination of:
- Dehydration: It’s no secret that drinking alcohol makes you use the bathroom more frequently.
- Your body becoming drained of essential vitamins: You lose these vitamins every time you visit the restroom.
- An immune system response triggered by alcohol consumption.
- Toxins which are created due to the way alcohol breaks down in your body.
This is why drinking enough water, spacing out your alcohol, and eating during and/or after your outing can help prevent a hangover from happening in the first place.
Okay, but what does this have to do with IV therapy?
IV therapy, in a nutshell, delivers sterile saline fluids directly into your bloodstream by way of a catheter and tubing. Your saline solution may be plain, or it may contain vitamins and medications.
A hangover IV is a combination of specially blended vitamins and fluids that combat symptoms that come with drinking too much.
A hangover IV:
- Quickly hydrates you and replenishes the vitamins which are lost by drinking too much by delivering saline solution directly into your bloodstream.
- May also include anti-nausea and anti-inflammatory medications to address stomach issues, headaches, and muscle aches. Since these medications are delivered directly into your bloodstream, there is no need to attempt to swallow any medications or foods.
- Detoxes your body. IV fluids flush out the free radicals created by drinking too much, which helps alleviate body aches and speed up your recovery.
Hangover IV treatments can help alleviate your symptoms in as little as an hour. Some people
How does it work?
Whether you’re at an IV bar or having at-home IV therapy, getting an IV is a simple and straightforward process.
- Your nurse will prep the IV injection site to prevent infection.
- They will then administer the IV, which is typically in your arm.
- Fluids begin to drip down the line and enter your bloodstream, getting to work immediately since they bypass the digestive system.
- Gravity will do its work for about 30 – 45 minutes, during which time you will start to feel your hangover symptoms improve.
- After your treatment is complete, the nurse will remove the catheter, then clean and bandage the IV injection site.
- You’re done! You should be feeling significantly improved and can continue your day as normal – no downtime needed.
IV bars vs in-home infusions
IVs at clinics are typically reserved for medical purposes, leaving you with two ways you can get a hangover IV in Washington DC: at an IV bar or with an in-home medical service. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of each.
IV bars
Pros
- Many IV bars are set up like day spas, featuring comfortable chairs, private music experiences, TVs, blankets, and more.
- Treatments are fast, typically taking 30 – 45 minutes.
- You will feel significantly improved after your treatment.
- If you are a member of an IV bar, you can get a discounted rate on the cost of your treatment, making treatment affordable.
Cons
- You need to travel to and from your IV bar in order to get treatment, which is not ideal when you have a hangover.
- Some IV bars have come under scrutiny for their safety, as the industry is largely unregulated and some facilities are cutting corners.
- Treatment is not generally covered by insurance.
In-home IV therapy
Pros
- Treatments generally take 30 – 45 minutes.
- Your treatment will help improve your symptoms.
- When you have a hangover, there’s a good chance you won’t want to get out of bed. In-home IV services spare you the transit across town to an IV infusion clinic.
- Many in-home services offer membership plans and discounts on IV treatments, helping bring down the cost of treatment.
Cons
- In-home services may not be available in your area.
- The costs of in-home therapy may be slightly higher than IV bars.
- Treatment is not generally covered by insurance.
Regardless of which option you choose, IV bars and in-home IV treatments can help you recover from a hangover quickly.
