IV detox therapy involves injecting a mix of vitamins, minerals, and other substances into the bloodstream through an intravenous connection. The idea is to stimulate the body’s processes of metabolizing the illicit substances out of the bloodstream. Hydration therapy is often a key component of IV detox therapy, as it helps to replenish fluids, enzymes and electrolytes that may be depleted due to substance use or withdrawal symptoms.
Other claims regarding IV detox therapy include:
- Slowing of the aging processes
- Strengthening the immune system
- Increasing strength and athletic prowess
- Weight loss through metabolism enhancement
- Relief of withdrawal symptoms, particularly those of hangover
- Lessening of the effects of the common cold and/or the flu
- Alleviating fatigue by improving energy levels
Unfortunately, these claims aren’t backed up by science. Some of them even flirt dangerously with quackery.
While hydration therapy can be beneficial in supporting the body’s natural detoxification processes, it’s important to be cautious about claims that IV detox therapy can cure or treat specific conditions. It’s essential to consult with a healthcare professional before undergoing any IV detox therapy, especially if you have any underlying health conditions or are taking any medications.
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Those Claims
When it comes to the idea of vitamin C lessening the symptoms of a cold or the flu, the Mayo Clinic says that it isn’t true. The doctors of the Mayo Clinic do say, however, that vitamin C is an essential vitamin and is important for your body’s immune system to be able to function. They also posit that certain research indicates a slightly shorter length of time for the disease to run its course. The example they cite is that of a cold that you have for seven days could have its length shortened by up to 13 hours. The doctors make certain, however, that taking vitamin C in any dose will not prevent a cold or the flu even though Dr. Linus Pauling claimed it was true.
Even though folic acid is an essential nutrient in the body for the functioning of the central nervous system, the assertion that it creates superior cognition is not supported by the research. When it comes to its use in combating hangover, IV detox can include ondansetron. That’s an anti-emetic that’s primarily used to ease the nausea that comes with chemotherapy. While it’s true that this drug has some beneficial effect on the nausea associated with alcohol withdrawal, two other things are equally true:
- Nausea isn’t the only symptom of alcohol withdrawal, and ondansetron hasn’t been shown to affect the other symptoms.
- Ondansetron’s positive effect was only seen in certain individuals under the age of 25 during testing, meaning that its application is limited.
The anti-aging effect of IV detox therapy are linked to biotin, but the real information is that not only are biotin supplements generally not worth buying, but they can also skew the results of thyroid tests and other necessary medical evaluations, which could cause other problems.
While some IV detox therapies may include B-complex vitamins and other essential nutrients, it’s important to be aware of the potential risks and limitations.
Additional Information on IV Vitamin Therapy and Detoxification
- IV vitamin therapy can be used to deliver essential nutrients directly into the bloodstream, bypassing the digestive system. This can be helpful for individuals who have difficulty absorbing nutrients orally or who have specific nutritional deficiencies.
- Some IV detox therapies may include antioxidants such as glutathione, which can help to protect the body from damage caused by free radicals and oxidative stress.
- Glutathione is a powerful antioxidant that plays a crucial role in detoxification and immune function. It can help to neutralize free radicals, protect cells from damage, and support liver function.
- Amino acids such as glutamine are also important for detoxification and immune function. Glutamine is the most abundant amino acid in the body and plays a role in various metabolic processes, including the production of glutathione.
- It’s important to note that detox IV therapy should be administered by a qualified healthcare professional. It’s also crucial to discuss any underlying health conditions or medications you are taking before undergoing IV detox therapy.
While IV detox therapy can be beneficial in some cases, it’s important to approach it with caution and be aware of the potential risks and limitations. It’s also important to maintain a healthy lifestyle that includes a balanced diet, regular exercise, and adequate sleep to support overall health and well-being.
What About IV Detox and Substance Use Disorder?
There is no available evidence on the effectiveness of infusions of vitamins, minerals, and other nonmedicinal compounds when it comes to treating substance use disorder. Injections of vitamins and minerals have long been used as supportive treatments as part of an overall treatment plan for substance use disorder but never as a primary treatment option.
Medication-Assisted Treatment
Where intravenous treatment of substance use disorder comes in is with medication-assisted treatment. These treatments are both for assisting with detox and also for long-term management of substance use disorder.
Most often, such medication-assisted treatment is for opioid use disorder, or OUD. The three medications approved by the FDA for such treatment are methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone. Each has its own set of applicable uses, risks, and side effects, and each should only ever be administered under the supervision of medical personnel.
The use of such treatment options is part of a trend away from punitive abstinence, which has been shown not to work in the vast majority of cases of OUD, toward “do no harm” strategies. The idea is to treat OUD just as one would any other disease for which someone would have to take medication. Instead of amlodipine for high blood pressure, for example, someone would take methadone for OUD.
The reason that abstinence doesn’t work is that opioids eventually alter brain chemistry to the point that such supportive treatment is necessary for balanced healing. Also, it’s very possible that people with OUD are very likely not the same people they were before having the disease. In addition to this, they have to deal with having to take medication for the rest of their lives to avoid returning to use.
Agonist or Antagonist?
The three medications that are used in the treatment of OUD are either agonists or antagonists. So, what’s the difference? The simplest way to put it is that an agonist mimics the action of an illicit substance while an antagonist blocks it.
Methadone and buprenorphine are agonists. They convince the opioid receptors in your brain to believe that they’re receiving the same action as that of an illicit opioid, such as heroin. The detrimental effects of heroin are mitigated while the body believes that it is getting the “fix” it needs. Despite their effectiveness, both methadone and buprenorphine can also become habit-forming. That’s why you have to take them only under the supervision of a doctor or nurse practitioner.
Naltrexone, on the other hand, is an antagonist. It keeps the opioid receptors from experiencing the “high” of the illicit substance. It’s important to note that naltrexone is not Narcan, which is naloxone. Naloxone is used for the immediate treatment of an overdose. By contrast, naltrexone is for the long-term treatment of OUD.
While it’s usual for these medications to be administered orally over the long term, if the attending medical professional determines that any of them should be used in detoxification, then it’s also common for them to be administered intravenously. This is the kind of IV therapy that works and has research to back it up. But, although the “other” IV detox therapy isn’t useful in the primary treatment of OUD, as long as it’s administered under a doctor or nurse practitioner, it can be useful in helping the body maintain healthy levels of vitamins and minerals when the client is unable to eat or drink because of intense nausea.
Allure Detox
Allure Detox uses a variety of treatments for OUD and other forms of substance use disorder. The staff realizes that not every person with substance use disorder will respond the same way to each treatment, so the idea is to customize the treatment to the person’s particular case. If you experience any kind of substance use disorder, then you should contact Allure Detox for help.
Published on: 2024-12-31
Updated on: 2025-01-01
