I tried the celebrity hangover cure IV drip therapy – here’s my verdict

• IV Nation has launched one of the first in-hotel IV drip therapy treatments in Sydney.
• They’ve partnered with the Langham Hotel and administer the treatment in the hotel’s spa.
• We went to test out the treatment.

IV Nation is bringing a “new era of wellness” to Sydney, in the form of IV drip therapy, an intravenous treatment that delivers what are claimed to be “beneficial fluids and nutrients” directly into the bloodstream.

They’ve partnered with the five-star Langham Hotel in Millers Point to launch one of Sydney’s first in-hotel IV therapy experiences, and we went to try it out.

We’ve seen plenty of high-profile celebrities publicly embrace IV drip therapy, including Madonna, Rihanna, Katy Perry, Rita Ora and health-fanatic Gwyneth Paltrow. However, while IV drips are sometimes used in medical settings for hydration and nutrient delivery, there’s no scientific evidence to support their effectiveness for general wellness. 

How does IV drip therapy work?

IV drip therapy bypasses the digestive system and delivers fluids and nutrients directly into the bloodstream, allowing for more efficient absorption compared to oral supplements or hydration. The nutrients enter the bloodstream immediately, meaning quicker distribution to tissues and organs.

When discussing IV therapy with Jemma, the nurse who administered my treatment, she told me that it can act as a preventative measure against illness as well as a method to aid recovery. She partakes in IV drip therapy once a month and says that she has not been ill for the past year.

Jemma highlighted that athletes, gym-enthusiasts and bodybuilders can benefit from the effects, which support faster recovery, rapid hydration, and boosted energy levels. However, their world body currently regulates the amount an athlete can use.

Those who suffer from migraines and chronic fatigue could also find IV therapy useful. It can also be helpful for people who have difficulty absorbing nutrients through the digestive system, such as those who suffer from Crohn’s disease.

The efficiency of IV drip therapy in boosting health and wellness is still up for debate among scientists. I was interested to see if it would have an impact on my energy and how I would feel post-treatment.

Is it a hangover cure?

It’s the first question that people ask when discussing IV drip therapy. I’ve seen my fair share of influencers receiving IV drip therapy, whether it’s after a night at Coachella or on a trip to Bali. Can it relieve that awful dehydrated feeling, which usually only goes away with a long sleep and litres of water and Hydralyte tablets?

When I asked Jemma about IV drip therapy as a magical hangover fighter, she gave me a theoretical breakdown.

Alcohol dehydrates your body and is a toxin, so it strips your body of nutrients and electrolytes. It’s really hard to drink enough water orally to get the hydration that you need. With the IV drip, hydrating ingredients and fluids are delivered directly to the bloodstream. The sodium in the drips helps the cells to uptake water more efficiently, leading to rapid hydration that cannot be achieved by drinking copious amounts of water.

What is in the IV bag?

I had a 500ml bag of the Supercharge drip, IV Nation’s best seller. It contained:

• Electrolytes – great for hydration.
• B-Complex – great for energy production.
• Vitamin C – great for immunity, helps with oxidated stress.
• Zinc – supports the immune system.
• Magnesium – amazing for cardiac health.
• Gaba – produces a calming effect which plays a role in controlling nerve cell hyperactivity.
• Taurine, serine, and carnitine – help with metabolism.
• Glycine – supports heart health and manages blood sugar levels.
• Methionine – aids in the breakdown of fat.
• Inositol – reduces anxiety.
• Choline – regulates memory, mood and muscle control.
• Methylcobalamin (B12) – vital for DNA synthesis, red blood cell function and nerve function.

READ MORE: 7 Best Day Spas in Sydney 2025

My experience

The IV drip therapy is administered by IV Nation in the Langham’s sleek underground spa, The Day Spa by Chuan. The Langham does wellness well: an indoor pool and state-of-the-art gym are visible from the waiting room. After seeing the hotel’s investment in wellness and health, it’s no surprise that they’re the first hotel in Australia to launch an in-hotel IV therapy experience.

Jemma then brought me to a cosy little room, welcoming me to lie down on the bed and asking if I wanted some water. It was all very relaxing – I almost forgot I was about to have a needle jabbed into me. 

One thing that is reassuring for those of us who are fearful of needles is that the treatment is conducted by experienced registered nurses. In my case, this was Jemma, who has been with IV Nation for over a year while also working her nursing job. It puts you at ease knowing that a medically trained professional will be handling the needle.

I lay down on the bed while Jemma began to add the ingredients to the IV bag, taking me through the benefits of its contents. She then began the treatment by inserting a small needle into my arm, placing a cannula into my vein, which sat there for the duration of the treatment, allowing the IV drip to enter the bloodstream.

Squeamish people, I know how you feel. Although I agreed to undertake this IV treatment (I was seduced by the idea of an energy boost), I do get stressed by needles and had to look away while Jemma began the process. It wasn’t too painful, just a quick pinch at the start, and Jemma made me feel very comfortable. She stayed in the room throughout the treatment and spoke to me about IV Nation and the different benefits of IV therapy.

She said that many clients simply lie back and close their eyes for the duration of the treatment, however, I was happy to chat to Jemma and stay distracted.

The speed at which the IV drip is administered can be changed by the nurse, so if you feel dizzy or overwhelmed, you can slow down the treatment. I felt fine during the treatment, and was given a blanket in case I felt cold, so it was all quite cosy. The treatment took about 40 minutes, and when it was done, Jemma simply took the cannula out, gave me band-aid and I was good to go.

How did I feel post treatment?

Ok, so it wasn’t one of those magical things where I suddenly felt a huge boost of energy and dashed back to the office with a cocktail of incredible nutrients coursing through my veins. I felt pretty normal throughout the day, minus a slight numbness in my arm.

The real effect came into play on Sunday morning (I had the drip administered on Friday). After a night of fun celebrating a friend’s birthday on Saturday, and far too much alcohol combined with not enough sleep, I woke up on Sunday morning feeling fine. Now, to put this into perspective, I’m the kind of person who does not function well with a hangover. For me, Sundays sometimes consist of lying in bed, complaining and eating junk food.

Well, not this Sunday! I was a new woman – I even went on a run. The only thing I can attribute it to is the IV therapy, as I was not doing anything else differently. That normal pesky hangover nausea and headache was subdued, and although I didn’t feel perfect, I felt a lot fresher than normal.

My verdict

The experience of IV drip therapy was made much more comfortable thanks to the professionalism and experience of Jemma and the serene setting of the Langham Hotel spa. Despite being uncomfortable with needles, the treatment was not too painful, and having a registered nurse administer it and monitor the drip puts you at ease. I can almost see how someone could find it relaxing, however, my squeamishness prevented this.

IV drip therapy is said to help those who can really benefit from it, particularly people who suffer from chronic illnesses. It is also supposedly good for those recovering from illness or its use by athletes. I can imagine that after a rough case of food poisoning or while recovering from the flu, IV therapy would feel like a game-changer. After all, it’s the same kind of treatment hospitals use to support patients dealing with these issues.

This is perhaps my issue – it feels a bit dystopian to receive this treatment when, as far as I’m concerned, there’s nothing wrong with my health. I feel very lucky to experience IV drip therapy, especially as the “Supercharge” treatment costs $347.

Also, as much as I hate them, hangovers are the price we pay for a night of fun. Imagine if they didn’t exist at all!

It will be interesting to see if IV drip therapy becomes the new big thing in health and wellness, or if the invasive nature of the treatment and the lack of interest from scientists impact its success. While I can vouch for its short-term effects from my own experience (it subdued my hangover and gave me a late-onset spike in energy), time will tell if I’ll feel any long-term benefits of the treatment.

IV Nation at the Langham Sydney

Where: The Langham Hotel, 89-113 Kent St, Millers Point NSW 2000.
When: IV therapy sessions are available on Thursdays and Fridays and can be booked alongside spa treatments or as standalone services.
Price: Treatments start at $247.

For more info, head to ivnation.com.au