Intravenous nutrient therapies (IVNT), aka vitamin IV therapies, are trending health and wellness treatments gaining traction across North America. These treatments can benefit “hangxiety,” the anxiety that occurs after a hangover. Since alcohol disturbs blood sugar levels, it can negatively impact sleep, and our bodies release more of the stress hormone cortisol. As a result, anxiety ensues. 

Whether you go to IV Drip Bars or IVNT health clinics, more alternative medicine practitioners praise vitamin IV therapy. This article will take a deep dive into this health and wellness trend and how effective it is for treating hangxiety. 

What Is Vitamin IV Therapy?

Let’s first get into exactly what vitamin IV therapy entails. Vitamin IV therapy, aka intravenous micronutrient therapy, uses a high dose of minerals and vitamins injected directly into your bloodstream. While your body generally absorbs nutrients at a slow rate, vitamin IV therapy allows it to absorb nutrients quickly at higher doses.

Vitamin IV therapy has not only been an effective treatment for hangovers, but for various medical conditions for quite some time. Some of these conditions include: 

• Fatigue
• Fibromyalgia
• Diabetes
• Asthma
• Depression 
• Anxiety
• Migraines
• Withdrawal 
• Dehydration
• Cardiovascular disease

What is hangxiety?

For some people that drink, hangxiety can occur. This ailment is the feeling of dread that happens on a night of heavy drinking. Symptoms can include sweaty palms, a racing heart, a stomachache, and general worry. 

Alcoholic drinks contain various chemicals that can lead to adverse side effects. As a result, people can experience nausea, vomiting, and dehydration. In addition, since your body doesn’t produce enough saliva to clean out the mouth and throat, your tongue can get dry and even crack. This feeling leads to a sensation of constant thirst, which can be unpleasant.  

The next day, you may have a headache and body aches. In addition, since your sleep was disrupted, you can feel dizzy, grumpy, and tired. Some people may even experience blurry vision and poor coordination.  

You might also observe some physical changes during a hangover. For example, the blood vessels in your eyes can dilate, giving them a red and puffy appearance. Also, your eyes can become sensitive to light and pressure, and you may see light flashes while reading text.

As for the anxiety portion, many people may experience negative mental health consequences after drinking. For many people, these doubts and worries are not long-lasting. However, the anxiety can be a serious issue for others and become overwhelming. This all-consuming feeling of dread and fear after drinking too is familiar enough that it earned the name “hangxiety” on Reddit.

Hangxiety may have roots in both physiological and psychological explanations. Since alcohol affects various neurotransmitter systems in the brain, it’s no wonder that these symptoms can occur. 

How does IV Therapy Relieve Hangxiety? 

An IV hangover infusion can alleviate a hangover within minutes by replacing the fluid loss. In addition, these infusions contain electrolytes, like sodium chloride, which assists in treating weariness, dizziness, and thirst from dehydration.

Going down the intravenous route is one of the quickest ways for the body to receive fluids, vitamins, and electrolytes. Essentially, the IV delivers fluids directly into the bloodstream, which is beneficial if you don’t want to wait for your digestive system to process water, Advil, or other medications.

So, how long can you expect IV treatment to work for your hangover? Some may feel better immediately after, while most can reap the benefits about two to four hours later. In addition, the effects can last into the next day.

What are the Physical Benefits of These Treatments? 

Depending on what vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants you receive, the body can experience many benefits along with a hangover cure. For example, people can leave feeling more energetic and have a more vital boost to their immune systems. 

Here are some other benefits:

• Promotes stronger cardiovascular health
• It provides your body with natural energy
• An efficient method for getting immune-boosting antioxidants
• Accelerates the Wound Healing Process
• Reduces signs of aging

You can speak to the professional administering your IV treatments if you want to know more about what positive benefits can occur.  

Does Health Insurance cover these IV Treatments? 

Unfortunately, IV Vitamin infusions are not covered by health insurance. IV treatments are not covered because a hangover cure will not be considered medically necessary by health insurance companies. However, if you have a medical condition like anxiety and believe IV therapy is an excellent option, check in with your insurance provider and see if it can be covered. 

Out-of-pocket expenses for IV therapy can range from approximately $100-$400.

Takeaway 

IV Therapy has been around in the medical community for a while and has treated various conditions. Some nurses are providing people with IV vitamin therapy at their homes, offices, or other locations. Some practitioners have also opened up clinics for walk-in clients.

As these companies expand, they offer options for treating conditions like hangxiety. The oral intake of these fluids and vitamins has an absorption rate of around 50-60% and can help many people cope with adverse symptoms. 

If you think IV therapy is an ideal choice for you, browse our listings at LGBTQ and All. We have various medical practitioners listed specializing in diverse fields, and we can connect you to them right away.