Clinics: get listed

The IV Therapy Hub

IV therapy, minus the hype.

What's in the bag, what the research says, and how to pick a clinic that knows what it's doing. Tested firsthand, graded honestly.

By Brent Wallace, longevity health coach, IIN certified Updated

Before your first drip See the drips I've had
  • How long 30 minutes to 4 hours
  • Typical price $100 to $300+
  • Best evidence Real dehydration

IV therapy at a glance

  • What it is Fluids, vitamins or NAD+ dripped into a vein at a clinic.
  • What it's good for Fixing real dehydration fast. Most other claims have thin research.
  • Time 30 minutes for most drips. NAD+ can take hours.
  • Cost to try Usually about $100 to $300. NAD+ costs more.
  • The catch Feeling great afterward is common. Proof is rare.

Is IV therapy worth it?

If you're truly dehydrated, an IV works fast. For energy, immunity and NAD+, the research is thin, even though many people, me included, walk out feeling great. Use a licensed clinic, know what's in the bag and start with a basic drip.

The evidence meter

What IV drips actually do

  • SolidMany studies agree
  • ThinLittle to go on
  • Mostly hypeThe claim runs ahead of the research
  • Watch outResearch points to a downside

Filled segments show how strong the evidence is for the claim on the card.

  • Solid

    Real dehydration.

    If you're vomiting or can't keep fluids down, an IV rehydrates you fast. That's standard medicine.

  • Thin

    Myers' cocktail.

    In a small trial of 34 people with fibromyalgia, a Myers' cocktail did no better than a placebo drip, though both groups felt better.

    Source: Ali et al., Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 2009 (opens in a new tab)

  • Thin

    NAD+ drips.

    A small study showed a 6-hour IV raises NAD+ in your blood. Whether that makes you healthier hasn't been tested well.

    Source: Grant et al., Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, 2019 (opens in a new tab)

  • Mostly hype

    Detox and immune-boost drips.

    No good studies show IV drips detox you or prevent illness in healthy people.

  • Watch out

    It's a medical procedure.

    Infection and vein irritation are real risks. Go to a licensed clinic with a nurse or doctor placing the IV.

  • Watch out

    High-dose vitamin C.

    People with G6PD deficiency can have a serious reaction. Good clinics test for it first.

Start here

Before your first drip

Five minutes of questions saves you from a bad bag.

  1. Pick the clinic Licensed, with a nurse or doctor placing the IV.
  2. Ask what's in it Every ingredient and the dose.
  3. Share your history Medicines, allergies, and any heart or kidney problems.
  4. Start simple A basic hydration drip first. NAD+ runs slow, so plan a few hours.

Skip it, or ask your doc first, if you have:

  • heart failure or kidney disease
  • a pregnancy
  • G6PD deficiency, before any high-dose vitamin C
  • blood thinners or a bleeding problem

I'm a longevity health coach, not a doctor.

Stop right away

If you feel pain, swelling or burning at the needle, chest tightness, trouble breathing or faint. Tell the nurse right away.

Hydration vs Myers' vs vitamin C vs NAD+

Which drip should you get? Start with the simplest one that fits why you're going. Prices vary a lot by city.

Hydration vs Myers' vs vitamin C vs NAD+
DripWhat's in itTimeTypical priceResearch
Hydration Tested by Brent Saline, sometimes with electrolytes 30 to 45 min About $100 to $200 Works for real dehydration
Myers' cocktail Magnesium, calcium, B vitamins and vitamin C 30 to 45 min About $150 to $250 One small trial, no better than placebo
High-dose vitamin C Tested by Brent Vitamin C, often 10 grams or more 45 to 90 min About $150 to $300 Studied in hospitals, not for wellness
NAD+ Tested by Brent NAD+ 2 to 4 hours About $300 to $1,000 or more Raises blood NAD+; benefits not shown

Tested by Brent

The drips I've had

I've done lots of IVs and always walked out feeling noticeably better for a day to three. The research is thinner than the feeling, so know what's in the bag.

  • Recovery Tested by Brent

    Recovery IV after a 100-mile race

    After a 100-mile bike race I was wrecked and felt terrible. The IV brought me back to life. A crazy turnaround.

  • Conference Tested by Brent

    NAD+ drips at conferences

    I've done NAD+ drips at longevity conferences.

  • Clinic Tested by Brent

    Clinic drips

    I've gone into clinics for NAD+, vitamins, vitamin C and plain saline. I've always come away feeling noticeably better for 1 to 3 days.

  • Coming up

    More tests to come

    I'm always testing new gear and protocols. Join the Insiders and you'll hear about the next one first.

    Join free

Find an IV clinic near you

6 IV clinic spots listed on Spannr

See every IV clinic

Search by ZIP code

miles

Go deeper on IV therapy

Rather take it by mouth?

Drips vs pills.

Some of what's in an IV bag comes in a capsule for a lot less. See what I take and what the research says.

See the supplements hub

IV therapy questions, straight answers

It's a medical procedure. Use a licensed clinic, and tell them your health history.

Most take 30 to 45 minutes. NAD+ can take 2 to 4 hours.

For me, I feel noticeably better for 1 to 3 days. The research hasn't measured this well.

For mild dehydration, drinking works for most people. An IV is faster when you can't keep fluids down.

Usually about $100 to $300. NAD+ costs more.

It raises NAD+ in your blood. Whether that makes you healthier hasn't been shown.

Sources

  1. Ali et al., Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 2009 (opens in a new tab) Intravenous micronutrient therapy (Myers' Cocktail) for fibromyalgia: a placebo-controlled pilot study. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine.
  2. Grant et al., Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, 2019 (opens in a new tab) A Pilot Study Investigating Changes in the Human Plasma and Urine NAD+ Metabolome During a 6 Hour Intravenous Infusion of NAD. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience.

Run an IV clinic?

Put it in front of people looking for IV therapy. Listing is free.

List your clinic free

Join the Insiders Club.

Plain English. Every week. Free.