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Can IV Therapy Really Help with Jet Lag, Hangovers, and Fatigue?
Home / Articles
Can IV Therapy Really Help with Jet Lag, Hangovers, and Fatigue?
IV therapy, also known as intravenous nutrient infusion, delivers fluids, vitamins, minerals, and other micronutrients directly into the bloodstream. By bypassing the digestive system, this method ensures faster absorption and more immediate effects, particularly for those suffering from dehydration, nutrient deficiencies, or fatigue.
In wellness circles and drip bars, IV therapy is often promoted as a cure-all for everything from hangovers and jet lag to low energy and brain fog. The theory is appealing: replenish what the body has lost, and feel better quickly. But does this actually hold up to clinical scrutiny?
Jet lag is more than simple tiredness. It's a disruption of the body's internal circadian rhythm after crossing multiple time zones. This internal clock regulates sleep-wake cycles, digestion, hormone secretion, and cellular repair. When it’s thrown off balance, symptoms include fatigue, insomnia, poor concentration, digestive issues, mood disturbances, and a general feeling of being "off."
Research supports a few key interventions for resetting the circadian clock:
Melatonin supplementation: Short-term use of melatonin is backed by numerous studies as an effective aid for shifting sleep-wake cycles, especially when taken at the right time relative to the new time zone.
Light therapy: Controlled exposure to bright light—either natural or artificial—can help adjust the body’s internal clock. Strategic timing of light exposure is critical to avoid worsening symptoms.
Behavioral changes: Adjusting sleep and meal times before travel, staying hydrated during the flight, and avoiding caffeine or alcohol can ease the transition.
There’s no solid clinical evidence that IV nutrient therapy realigns the circadian rhythm. However, IV hydration may address secondary symptoms like fatigue, dehydration, and malaise, particularly after long flights. Air travel can dehydrate the body due to dry cabin air, limited fluid intake, and prolonged immobility.
At One’s Clinic, we sometimes see travelers experiencing significant post-flight fatigue, headaches, or low-grade malaise. In those cases, rehydrating with electrolyte-rich IV fluids and targeted nutrients—such as magnesium, B vitamins, and vitamin C—may provide short-term relief. However, we always emphasize that this does not replace melatonin or light therapy in managing jet lag itself.
Alcohol disrupts many physiological systems: it acts as a diuretic, leads to electrolyte imbalances, affects blood sugar, and interferes with sleep quality. The combination of dehydration and inflammatory byproducts like acetaldehyde creates the classic hangover: nausea, headaches, fatigue, and light sensitivity.
IV therapy for hangovers is popular among wellness clinics, especially in urban centers. What it can offer is rapid rehydration, replenishment of electrolytes, and in some cases, delivery of antioxidants or B-complex vitamins.
However, it’s important to be realistic: while IV fluids may reduce symptoms such as headache and fatigue more rapidly than oral hydration, they do not “detoxify” the liver or erase the systemic effects of alcohol. The body still needs time to metabolize and eliminate alcohol's byproducts.
Clinically, Dr. Hae-in Lee often reminds patients that IV therapy for hangovers can be a supportive measure, not a cure. It may be helpful before important work meetings or events when time is limited, but it should not be a regular substitute for moderation and liver health.
Fatigue is one of the most common complaints we see at One’s Clinic. It can result from poor sleep, chronic stress, hormonal imbalance, nutrient depletion, thyroid dysfunction, or mitochondrial inefficiency. Sometimes, patients are surprised to learn their fatigue has little to do with lifestyle and more to do with underlying metabolic or inflammatory patterns.
Can IV therapy help? The answer depends on the cause. If a patient is deficient in key nutrients—like vitamin B12, magnesium, or iron—an IV infusion can deliver immediate support. If the fatigue stems from dehydration or post-illness weakness, IV fluids may assist in short-term recovery. But if the root causes are hormonal, psychological, or metabolic, the fix must go deeper.
At One’s Clinic, Dr. Jong-eon Song integrates IV therapy into broader treatment programs that assess thyroid function, adrenal fatigue, and mitochondrial health. Rather than offering one-size-fits-all drips, we tailor infusions based on diagnostic findings.
Despite the growing popularity of IV therapy, few randomized controlled trials have tested its efficacy for non-medical indications like hangovers or travel fatigue. Much of the enthusiasm stems from anecdotal reports and patient testimonials. This doesn’t mean IV therapy lacks merit—it just means its benefits are often overstated or misunderstood.
The most studied IV formulation is the Myers’ Cocktail, a blend of magnesium, calcium, vitamin C, and B vitamins. While some small studies suggest it may help with conditions like fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue, the data is not robust enough to draw definitive conclusions. Without placebo-controlled trials, it's hard to separate genuine effect from placebo response or expectation bias.
Receiving an IV can create a powerful psychological response. The act of sitting in a medical chair, receiving fluid through a drip, and being cared for by a clinician carries emotional and symbolic weight. Patients often report feeling better—even if the physiological changes are minimal.
This doesn't diminish their experience, but it highlights why careful diagnosis is essential. At One’s Clinic, we consider the emotional and physiological dimensions of fatigue or burnout, and offer IV support as one piece of a larger healing framework.
Not all IV therapy is created equal. When administered without proper medical oversight, risks include infection, vein irritation, allergic reactions, and electrolyte imbalance. Individuals with kidney issues, heart conditions, or chronic diseases must be especially cautious.
We maintain rigorous safety standards at One’s Clinic. All infusions are compounded in sterile conditions, adjusted to individual lab results, and administered under the guidance of trained medical staff.
Travelers arriving in Seoul after long-haul flights who need quick recovery before meetings or events
Patients with diagnosed nutrient deficiencies who require faster replenishment than oral supplementation allows
Individuals recovering from illness or physical exertion who need rehydration and immune support
In these cases, IV therapy serves as a bridge—relieving symptoms while deeper interventions take effect.
For healthy individuals seeking an energy boost without understanding their baseline needs
For chronic fatigue without diagnostic evaluation
As a regular hangover remedy that masks unhealthy lifestyle patterns
Our philosophy is always to treat the cause, not just the symptoms. IV therapy can play a valuable role, but it should not replace medical diagnosis, lifestyle change, or metabolic care.
Dr. Hae-in Lee and Dr. Jong-eon Song emphasize a functional medicine approach—one that seeks to understand why symptoms occur, not just how to suppress them. Before prescribing IV therapy, we assess:
Nutrient levels through advanced lab testing
Adrenal function and stress biomarkers
Gut health and absorption capacity
Thyroid and hormonal balance
Sleep quality and circadian patterns
From this foundation, we create personalized infusion protocols—often as part of a broader regenerative or metabolic reset program. For some patients, IV therapy may be a short-term aid to bounce back after stress, travel, or illness. For others, it may be a monthly support tool integrated into long-term wellness care.
We also believe that healing should be a refined, relaxing experience. That’s why our IV lounges in Apgujeong are designed for comfort, privacy, and restoration—allowing each patient to experience recovery in both body and mind.
So, can IV therapy really help with jet lag, hangovers, or fatigue?
Yes—if the goal is to support hydration, correct mild deficiencies, or ease temporary symptoms. But no—if you're hoping for a cure-all or bypassing the body’s deeper needs. IV therapy should be a considered, personalized option, not a default solution.
If you're experiencing persistent fatigue, post-travel burnout, or recurring hangovers, your body may be asking for a reset—not just a remedy. At One’s Clinic in Apgujeong, we offer a holistic path forward—blending functional diagnostics, regenerative therapy, and luxury wellness to help you feel like yourself again.
Consider visiting One’s Clinic—where science meets healing in one seamless experience.