Feel-Good Fluids: Are IV Drips The Answer to Banishing The Winter Blues?

’Tis the season of Vitamin D deficiency and cold awakenings. Seasonal depression has swiftly crept back on some of us– and, as usual, is showing no mercy! For some, it’s a brief feeling of demotivation or low moods; for others, it’s the full swing of seasonal affective disorder (SAD).

But during these mentally challenging times, could tending to the balance from within be ‘The Substance’ we truly need to stay sane?

By Ella Campbell

Now, when I say attend to the ‘balance’, I don’t mean to get your Elisabeth Sparkle on. I’m talking about the current rise in IV drip treatments and how they could potentially help people avoid low moods this winter.

“Unfortunately, IV drips haven’t always been widely available to the public, but it’s becoming increasingly common,”

Alex tells me as I sit across from her, sipping the water she offered me as soon as I entered the IV clinic ‘Get A Drip‘ where she works—because here, hydration is always the first step!

There has always been a level of so-called ‘gatekeeping’ when it comes to IV treatments and who had access to them in the past—but with celebrities like the Kardashians flaunting their use of IV drips on social media as a quick fix for energy boosts and beauty maintenance, these treatments have stepped out of exclusive clinics and into the mainstream, sparking a surge of interest in IV therapy as a go-to wellness tool amongst the public. But is this trendy avenue of wellness really worth a go in the interest of keeping the symptoms of seasonal depression away?

Medical professionals claim that IV Drips deliver way more effective absorption of vitamins and minerals to the body. Dena Westaphalen explains, “A vitamin taken by mouth is absorbed at about 50%. With an IV, absorption can be as high as 90%.”

When asked about how long it usually takes her to feel the effects of an IV treatment, Alex stated:

“Immediately. It goes straight into your blood veins, so you instantly feel the Drips, and usually its effects too.”

Living in the UK, it’s a known fact amongst residents that we don’t get nearly enough sunlight, let alone Vitamin D intake. So, supplementation through IV drips, Vitamin shots, or both? Could potentially make a massive difference in your mood.

“Yes, absolutely!” Alex affirms this when I inquire about treatments that benefit mood. “So many vitamins and minerals affect your mood. It can even be something simple like Vitamin D.”

I investigated further for more acute treatment options to target maintaining of a healthy mood, asking fellow nurse Sarah what she would suggest. As she was fetching some forms for an expected client and a menu for me to take a look at, she replied:

“B-complex because that regulates our mood. When someone is low in Vitamin B specifically, you can notice a difference in them neurologically.”

She went on to explain while I skimmed through their drip ‘menu’ in the hopes of keeping up with all the technical names being thrown back at me.

“It’s also good to do a vitamin-D test to see how deficient you are, so clinics know what dose your body needs.”

It should also be noted that for those considering IV treatments for seasonal depression or stabilising mood, ongoing sessions may be required throughout winter. One Drip, which includes all the recommended components, is available from ‘Get A Drip‘ under the name ‘Calm Drip’ and starts at a staggering £200.

Although these treatments have definitely become more accessible to the public in recent years, they still remain pretty unattainable for the average person to afford. And while the concept sounds revolutionary, not everyone is convinced.

Professor Stephen Powis, NHS England’s medical director, claims, “People who are healthy do not need IV drips. At best, they are an expensive way to fill your bladder – and then flush hundreds of pounds down the toilet – but at worst, they can cause significant damage to your health.

So, are IV drips the secret weapon for beating the winter blues? The answer likely depends on individual needs and expectations. For those with specific deficiencies, IV therapy might offer a noticeable boost. However, for most, the traditional remedies of a balanced diet, regular exercise, and adequate sleep are still the only guaranteed solution to surviving the winter season as clear from depression as possible.