Some swear by a sachet of Electral, others reach out for the hair of the dog, but noone really has found the solution to making one of man’s oldest vices, a little easier, especially the morning after. Self-inflicted and universally mourned, the hangover is still a painful reminder of a good party night.
But what if, you could get over a liver-punishing week in just a jiffy? Thanks to hangover IVs, benders are no longer reserved for the young and wild anymore. This drip is the latest post-party antidote that indulgent party-goers are signing up for this festive season to ensure they juggle pujas, parties, and day-after commitments. From entrepreneurs with meeting-packed schedules to wellness girlies, these drips, which come with their promise to hydrate, nourish and re-energise, have become a fast favourite. But are these elixirs worth the hype? Before you book your next drip, here’s what you need to know.
What are hangover IVs?
Think of the hangover IV as a post-cocktail cocktail. As the name suggests, it is an IV drip with vitamins, saline solutions, and sometimes, anti-nausea and headache relief medication. The drips are customisable, allowing clients to choose from a tailored mix of nutrients that align with their specific goals—whether it's boosting skin radiance, strengthening hair, improving overall wellness, or even providing the ultimate hangover cure. Finally, a cocktail that actually does your body good.
But how does it work? Like medical IVs, the needle in your arm delivers a potent blend of vitamins, electrolytes, and hydration straight to your bloodstream. While these hangover cures aren’t for medical emergencies, they’re becoming a go-to at wellness spas and private clinics. Of course, this A-list treatment comes with a price tag, ranging from ₹12000 to ₹20,000 per visit. At Reviv, which has five clinics across Mumbai and Bengaluru, the Ultraviv IV which is offered as the perfect remedy to get you back on track after a long night, costs ₹12,900 a pop.
The experience
Given the premium price tag, and the clientele it attracts, getting a hangover IV is fast becoming part of the social calendar. Amaan Duffer, the British Indian founder of jewellery brand Basliq, last plugged in during Paris Fashion Week and recalls it to be “the chicest thing ever.” While the price tag and time commitment has prevented the drip from making it into Duffer’s regular routine, he nevertheless recommends them because they’re “better than throwing some electrolytes in your water bottle and is a really fun experience when you go with your friends.”
Pavini Parashar, a writer from Delhi, swears by drip therapy offered at The Wellness Co in Delhi’s tony Defence Colony. “After a few days of partying, my group and I would head to get our drip treatments together. It was a great way of feeling like I was taking care of myself without sacrificing the fun of a night out.” Like Duffer, the steep price keeps Parashar from being a regular, but she swears by a drip when she needs a quick recovery from post-party fatigue.
Recognising the growing demand for hangover IVs, in September 2023, The Londoner Hotel extended their luxury comfort offerings by partnering with Drip Hydration (that offers mobile IV therapy and wellness services) to provide hangover IVs to guests in the comfort of their rooms. Sabrine Khalfallah, relationships manager at Drip Hydration shares, “Users love the comfort of the service in their room and are often surprised at how amazing they feel afterwards.” During the festive season, they usually see a surge in bookings, ranging from younger professionals attending social events to older clients who want to maintain their wellness amidst the busy season.
Do they work?
You know how each person handles alcohol differently? The same rings true for its antidote. According to a study by Dr David Aizenberg at the University of Pennsylvania, “no single remedy can treat every hangover symptom.” So, while a drip may help with dehydration, the real solution to a hangover is proper excretion of alcohol from the liver–which IV fluids don’t help speed up.
Dr Kiran Sethi, founder of Isya Aesthetics in Delhi, agrees that while “it’s not proven that N-acetylcysteine, the prominent amino acid found in hangover IV mixes, can properly detoxify alcohol in the liver, it is used to detoxify over-usage of acetaminophen in the liver.” Meaning N-acetylcysteine’s use in liver detoxification is proven, but perhaps not for hangovers. Dr Sethi further explains that hangover IVs work best when alcohol has caused the user to lose electrolytes, antioxidants and vitamins. When that is the case, hangover IVs can replenish those nutrients, and “if someone’s body is more resilient and retains electrolytes and antioxidants, they may not see much benefit, but they will definitely be more hydrated.”
Alternative therapy
If you’re hesitant about splurging on a hangover IV, there are plenty of natural alternatives that could work just as well. Dr Vijay Murthy, a UK-based Ayurvedic doctor, naturopath and IFM-certified functional medicine expert, cautions against quick fixes like IV drips. “We live in a world that often seeks instant gratification, and IV drips can seem like a quick fix. But the body is a finely tuned system that thrives when given proper nutrition, rest and movement. Real energy comes from a sustainable lifestyle, not a needle.” Dr Murthy recommends turning to Ayurvedic Rasayana therapies, incorporating herbs like Ashwagandha or Amalaki (Indian gooseberry), sipping herbal teas, and practices like Abhyanga (oil massage) to restore and maintain vitality.
And if nothing really seems to work for you, just rest assured that your couch can be a very comforting spot to cope.
