NAD+ Drips Are All Over Your Feed. Here’s What’s Actually Proven.

NAD+ has become one of the most talked about drips in the IV therapy world, and if your Instagram feed leans toward wellness content, you've probably seen it. Here's what's actually behind the interest, what the research supports so far, and where NAD+ can fit into a healthy aging routine.

What NAD+ actually is

NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) is a coenzyme found in every cell of your body. It plays a central role in converting food into cellular energy and supporting the systems involved in DNA repair. Natural NAD+ levels decline as we age, which is part of why it's drawn so much interest in longevity and wellness circles.

What the evidence actually supports right now

This is the part most social media posts skip, so let's be direct about it:

• Energy and fatigue: Small clinical studies have shown improvements in fatigue and subjective energy levels in people with measurable deficits, with some effects lasting weeks. This is one of the more consistently observed benefits.

• Recovery and cellular function: There's research suggesting NAD+ repletion supports mitochondrial function, which is relevant to exercise recovery, though most of this data comes from small studies.

• Cognitive function and healthy aging: The research here is at an earlier stage. Lower NAD+ levels are associated with reduced cognitive performance in some studies, but that's an association, not proof that infusions reverse or prevent cognitive decline. Long term human trials on aging and longevity outcomes are still ongoing.

What NAD+ IV therapy is not: a proven treatment or cure for any specific disease, including chronic fatigue syndrome, neurological conditions, or aging itself. Reputable sources are consistent on this point. Interest in a treatment and proof that it works for everyone are two different things.

Where NAD+ fits in a healthy aging routine

NAD+ won't turn back the clock, and we'll never tell you it does. What it does do is serve as one of the helpers your cells rely on every day to turn food into usable energy and keep up with their normal repair and maintenance work. Because natural NAD+ levels drop as we get older, many of our clients choose NAD+ to support those everyday processes and their overall wellness as they age.

Think of it as one piece of a bigger picture. The habits with the strongest evidence for aging well are still the basics: regular movement and strength training, good sleep, enough protein and plenty of plants on your plate, and staying hydrated. NAD+ can be a supportive addition to that routine for people who want to take a proactive approach to how they feel as the years go by.

Who typically explores NAD+ IV therapy

People generally look into NAD+ for support with low energy, brain fog, exercise recovery, or as part of a broader wellness and healthy aging routine. It's worth knowing that NAD+ infusions can cause side effects for some people, including nausea, flushing, or a feeling of tightness in the chest if given too quickly. That's why infusion rate and medical supervision matter, and why every NAD+ visit starts with an evaluation.

NAD+ therapy also isn't appropriate for everyone. Pregnant or breastfeeding individuals, and people with significant heart, kidney, or liver conditions, should talk with a physician before considering it.

How Purifi approaches NAD+

At Purifi IV, NAD+ is available as an infusion or injection, and every client is evaluated by our medical team before treatment so we can talk through your goals, your health history, and whether NAD+ is a good fit for you. We won't promise that it reverses aging or fixes a medical condition, because the research doesn't support that. What we can offer is a medically supervised way to add NAD+ to your wellness routine, at a comfortable infusion rate, with clear expectations from the start.

Frequently asked questions

Does NAD+ IV therapy reverse aging?
No. There's no research showing that NAD+ reverses aging. What NAD+ does do is play a central role in the everyday processes your cells use to make energy and keep up with normal repair. Because those levels naturally decline with age, many people use NAD+ as part of a healthy aging routine, alongside good sleep, nutrition and exercise, to support their overall wellness as they get older.

Who is NAD+ a good fit for?
Adults who want to support their energy and overall wellness as part of a proactive, healthy aging routine, and who have been cleared by our medical team. It isn't the right choice for everyone, which is why every visit starts with an evaluation.

How long do the effects of an NAD+ drip last?
This varies by person. Some people report feeling effects like improved energy within a day or two, while longer lasting effects are less consistently documented and vary widely.

Is NAD+ IV therapy safe?
For most healthy adults, it's generally considered well tolerated when given by trained medical staff at an appropriate rate, though side effects are possible. It isn't recommended for everyone, which is why a medical evaluation comes before treatment.

References

• Healthspan — NAD+ IV Therapy Benefits: What Actually Happens Inside Your Cells

• Acibadem International — NAD IV Therapy: Benefits, Risks, and What to Expect

This article is for general educational purposes and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Individual results vary, and NAD+ IV therapy is not a proven treatment for any specific medical condition. Talk with your doctor about whether it's appropriate for you.

Written and reviewed by Johnathon Nolen, and Dr. Jeremy Nelson.

Cold and Flu Season Is Coming to Suwanee: Here’s a Realistic Immune Support Plan

Between school germs, office colds, and the usual fall pileup of ragweed allergies fading into cold and flu season, this is the time of year Suwanee families start asking the same question: what can I actually do to stay well?

Let's start with what your immune system actually needs

Your immune system doesn't run on any single vitamin, shot, or drip. It depends on a handful of consistent basics that are easy to overlook when life gets busy:

• Sleep. Adults who consistently get less than 7 hours of sleep are more susceptible to catching colds after exposure, according to sleep researchers. This is one of the most well-supported factors in immune function.

• Nutrition. A diet with adequate protein, fruits, and vegetables supports the vitamins and minerals your immune system relies on, including vitamin C, vitamin D, zinc, and B vitamins.

• Hydration. Mucous membranes in your nose and throat are part of your first line of defense, and they function better when you're well hydrated.

• Stress management and movement. Chronic stress is linked to weakened immune response over time, and moderate regular exercise is associated with fewer sick days in multiple studies.

• Handwashing and basic exposure reduction. Still one of the most effective tools available, especially with kids back in school.

None of this is flashy, but it's what the research actually backs.

Where vitamins and IV support realistically fit in

If you're already eating well, sleeping enough, and washing your hands, is there anything else worth considering? Some people use vitamin C, zinc, and B vitamin support, whether orally or by IV or injection, as part of rounding out their routine, particularly during weeks when sleep or diet take a hit from a busy schedule. It's reasonable to think of this as filling gaps, not as a shortcut around the basics, and it isn't a substitute for a flu shot, seeing your doctor when you're sick, or any care your physician recommends.

It's also worth being clear about what these products can't do: no vitamin shot or IV drip prevents you from catching a cold or the flu, and none of them are a treatment for an active illness. If you're already sick, especially with a high fever, trouble breathing, or symptoms that last more than a week, that's a call to your doctor, not a wellness clinic.

What this looks like at Purifi

At Purifi IV, our immune-support drips and shots are built around hydration plus vitamin C, zinc, and B vitamins, and they're intended to be one part of a broader wellness routine, alongside sleep, nutrition, and your doctor's guidance, not instead of them. Every visit starts with a quick medical evaluation so our team can talk through what's actually going on with you and whether an IV or shot makes sense that day.

Frequently asked questions

Can vitamin IVs prevent colds or the flu?
No product, including IV vitamins, can guarantee prevention of a cold or the flu. The flu vaccine remains the most well-supported preventive tool recommended by public health authorities. IV and vitamin support may be used as part of a broader wellness routine, but shouldn't replace it.

What's the single biggest factor in immune health during cold and flu season?
Sleep is one of the most consistently supported factors in immune research, along with basic hygiene practices like handwashing. There's no substitute for the fundamentals.

Should I get IV hydration if I already feel sick?
If you have mild symptoms and are able to stay hydrated orally, that's often sufficient. If you have a high fever, can't keep fluids down, or feel significantly unwell, see your doctor rather than a wellness clinic. Some symptoms need medical evaluation and treatment beyond hydration.

References

• CDC — Preventing Seasonal Flu

• CDC — About Handwashing

• Cohen et al., Archives of Internal Medicine (via NIH/PMC) — Sleep Habits and Susceptibility to the Common Cold

This article is for general educational purposes and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It is not a substitute for vaccination or care from your physician. If you're feeling seriously unwell, please contact your doctor.

Written and reviewed by Johnathon Nolen, and Dr. Jeremy Nelson.

Costumes, Cocktails and a 5K: A Race Day Hydration Guide for Suwanee’s Spooky Spirits

The sixth annual Spooky Spirits 5K takes over Suwanee Town Center Park on Saturday, October 17, with an 11 a.m. start. It's one of the most fun races on the Gwinnett calendar: costumes are encouraged, there are prizes for the best ones, runners 21 and up can stop at five spirit stations for a 3 ounce cocktail sample, and everyone 21 and up gets a full cocktail at the finish. It's also a timed course and a Peachtree Road Race qualifier, so plenty of people will be racing it for real.

That mix of a real race, a costume and a cocktail is exactly why we get questions about it every year. So here's a plain guide to race day: what to eat, how to dress, what the research says about alcohol and hydration, and where IV hydration fits for the runners who use it.

What Makes Spooky Spirits Different

Most local 5Ks start at 7 or 8 a.m. This one starts at 11, which changes your breakfast timing. You'll probably be wearing more than usual, which changes how much you sweat. And alcohol is part of the experience for a lot of runners, which changes how you think about fluids. None of that is a problem. It just means the usual race morning routine needs a few small adjustments.

Packet pickup is Friday, October 16, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Big Peach in Suwanee Town Center, or race morning from 9 to 10:45 a.m. at the park. If you can, pick up on Friday so your Saturday morning stays calm.

Fueling for an 11 a.m. Start

Mayo Clinic's general guidance is to eat a large meal at least 3 to 4 hours before exercise, or a small meal or snack about 1 to 3 hours before. High fat and high fiber foods take longer to digest, so they're better saved for after the race.

For an 11 a.m. start, that usually means breakfast around 8 or 8:30. Good options are toast or a bagel with a little peanut butter and a banana, eggs on toast, or a bowl of cereal with milk. Carbohydrate plus a little protein is the goal. If you get hungry closer to the start, a small, easy snack like a banana is fine.

Sip water through the morning rather than chugging it all at once right before the gun. A pale yellow urine color is a simple sign you're starting the race in good shape. And whatever you do, eat before the first spirit station. A cocktail sample on an empty stomach is a very different experience from one after a real breakfast.

Running in Costume Without Overheating

A costume adds layers, and layers hold in heat. More heat means more sweat, even on a cool October morning. A few things help:

1. Do a short test run in your costume before Saturday, so nothing surprises you at mile one.

2. Wear a breathable, moisture wicking layer underneath instead of cotton.

3. Skip the full face mask. You want to see your footing and breathe freely.

4. Pin or tie down anything that flaps, drags or could catch a foot.

5. If you're dressing up in something warm, start the morning well hydrated and plan on drinking a bit more afterward.

Cocktails and Hydration: What the Research Says

The race calls its spirit stations "liquid refreshment," and they are refreshing. They just don't count toward hydration the way water does.

Alcohol suppresses antidiuretic hormone, the signal that tells your kidneys to hold on to water. With less of that signal, the kidneys let more water go. Early research measured roughly 10 mL of extra urine for every gram of alcohol consumed. For context, one US standard drink contains 14 grams of alcohol, and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism notes that many cocktail recipes contain more than one standard drink.

The effect depends on the strength of the drink. In a well known study, researchers dehydrated volunteers with exercise in the heat and then had them rehydrate with drinks containing 0, 1, 2 or 4% alcohol. Drinks up to 2% alcohol restored fluid balance about as well as alcohol free drinks, while the 4% drink tended to slow recovery. Most cocktails are far stronger than 4%.

None of this means you can't enjoy the spirit stations. It means a cocktail isn't a substitute for water, especially right after a hard effort.

A Simple Plan for Race Day

If you're 21 or older and choosing the spirit stops, a few habits keep the day fun:

1. Eat a real breakfast first.

2. Take a few sips of water at or between the stations when you can.

3. Treat the samples as samples, and listen to how you feel.

4. At the finish, grab water alongside the cocktail.

5. Eat something with protein and some salt within an hour or two.

If you're running nonstop for a time, your usual 5K plan works. For a cool weather 5K, most runners don't need anything during the race, and a few sips at the finish followed by a normal meal covers it.

The Rest of Your Weekend

After the finish, the basics do most of the work: water through the afternoon, a real meal, and a good night of sleep. If you celebrated with a few drinks, alternate them with water and keep eating.

One thing we'll always say clearly. If something feels genuinely wrong after a hard effort, such as confusion, fainting, chest pain or vomiting that won't stop, that's an emergency room visit, not a spa visit. Our team is led by local ER medical professionals, and we would rather send you there.

Where IV Hydration Fits (and Where It Doesn't)

Here's what IV hydration does. IV fluids deliver fluid and electrolytes directly into the bloodstream, bypassing the gut. That's why some runners like to come in the week of a race as part of how they prep, and why others come in the day after a big weekend when sipping a water bottle hasn't kept up. Our hydration drips pair fluid with a full electrolyte profile, and every visit starts with a conversation with our provider about what's in each bag and whether it fits you.

Here's what it doesn't do. An IV drip doesn't make your body process alcohol any faster, it doesn't cure a hangover, and it doesn't replace water, food or sleep. It's one option some clients choose to add to a solid routine, not a shortcut around one.

Common Questions

Do I need electrolytes for a 5K? Most people don't need anything special during a cool weather 5K. A normal salty meal afterward usually covers sodium. If you're a heavy sweater or racing in a warm costume, an electrolyte drink afterward is a reasonable choice.

Does alcohol dehydrate you? Alcohol increases urine output by suppressing antidiuretic hormone, and the effect grows with the amount and strength of the drink. Light drinks have a small effect, while cocktails and spirits have a larger one. Pairing drinks with water and food helps.

Is an IV drip a good idea before a race? Some clients like to come in during race week as part of their routine. It isn't required, and it doesn't replace a good breakfast and normal hydration. Our provider can talk through whether it makes sense for you.

This post is for general informational purposes and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider with questions about your health.

References

1. RunSignup. "Spooky Spirits 5K, Suwanee, GA." https://runsignup.com/Race/GA/Suwanee/SpookySpirits5K

2. Mayo Clinic. "Eating and exercise: 5 tips to maximize your workouts." https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/in-depth/exercise/art-20045506

3. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. "What Is A Standard Drink?" https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohols-effects-health/what-standard-drink

4. Vella LD, Cameron-Smith D. "Alcohol, Athletic Performance and Recovery." Nutrients. 2010;2(8):781-789. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3257708/

5. Shirreffs SM, Maughan RJ. "Restoration of fluid balance after exercise-induced dehydration: effects of alcohol consumption." J Appl Physiol. 1997;83(4):1152-1158. https://journals.physiology.org/doi/full/10.1152/jappl.1997.83.4.1152

6. Sawka MN, et al. "American College of Sports Medicine position stand. Exercise and fluid replacement." Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2007;39(2):377-390. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17277604/

Written and reviewed by Johnathon Nolen, and Dr. Jeremy Nelson.

Eat the Season in Suwanee: A Fall Farmers Market Guide to Vitamins, Minerals, and Hydration

The Suwanee Farmers Market has only a few Saturdays left in its summer season. Every Saturday in October it runs from 8 a.m. to noon at Town Center on Main and DeLay Nature Park, 421 Main Street, before switching to its shorter winter schedule in November. October also happens to be when Georgia's fall crops arrive, which makes this the best month of the year to eat well without trying very hard.

This guide covers what's in season right now, what those foods actually bring to the table nutritionally, how much of your daily hydration can come from what you eat, and where IV vitamin therapy fits for the people who use it.

What's in Season in Georgia Right Now

Georgia's fall harvest calendar is long. Depending on the week and the vendor, October at a local market usually means apples, pears, pumpkins and winter squash, sweet potatoes, collards and kale, Brussels sprouts, turnips, peppers and pecans. You'll also find local eggs, meat, honey and baked goods at the Suwanee market, which lists more than 40 vendors in a typical week.

Not every farm will have every crop every Saturday. That's part of the point. Buying what's actually coming out of the ground this week keeps your plate varied without a meal plan.

Why Fresh and Local Is Worth the Trip

Some nutrients start breaking down the moment produce is picked. Vitamin C is the most fragile. A widely cited review of fresh, frozen and canned produce found that green peas can lose about half their vitamin C within the first 24 to 48 hours after harvest, and broccoli stored for a week at room temperature lost more than half of its vitamin C. Refrigeration slows those losses a lot.

A short trip from the farm to your kitchen helps. So does eating what you buy within a few days and keeping it cold. The same review found that fresh peas and spinach kept in the fridge for about 10 days ended up with less vitamin C than their frozen versions, so if the market isn't in your Saturday plans, the freezer aisle is a solid backup.

The Nutrients on a Fall Plate

Here's what the headline fall crops bring, using the National Institutes of Health's food composition figures.

Sweet potatoes and winter squash for vitamin A. One baked sweet potato provides about 1,403 mcg of vitamin A, roughly 156% of the Daily Value. The NIH lists vitamin A as important for normal vision, the immune system, reproduction, and growth and development. Winter squash, spinach and broccoli are also on its list of good sources.

Peppers, broccoli and Brussels sprouts for vitamin C. Most people think of oranges first, and a medium orange does provide about 70 mg. But half a cup of raw red pepper has about 95 mg, half a cup of cooked broccoli about 51 mg, and half a cup of cooked Brussels sprouts about 48 mg. Adults need about 90 mg a day for men and 75 mg for women. The NIH describes vitamin C as an antioxidant that the body needs to make collagen, that improves absorption of iron from plant foods, and that helps the immune system work properly.

Garlic, onions, kale and Brussels sprouts for glutathione building blocks. Glutathione is an antioxidant your body makes itself from three amino acids: cysteine, glutamate and glycine. Cysteine is a sulfur containing amino acid and is usually the limiting ingredient. A 2019 review in the journal Nutrients notes that sulfur rich foods, including allium vegetables like garlic and onions and cruciferous vegetables like kale, broccoli and Brussels sprouts, may support the body's own glutathione production. Protein foods such as eggs, poultry and dairy supply the amino acids.

Leafy greens for magnesium. The NIH lists green leafy vegetables such as spinach among good food sources of magnesium, a mineral involved in more than 300 enzyme systems in the body, alongside legumes, nuts, seeds and whole grains. Pecans, which Georgia grows in quantity, count too.

Local eggs and meat for protein. Protein at each meal keeps a fall plate balanced and supplies the amino acids that everything above depends on.

Food Counts Toward Hydration Too

Hydration is usually treated as a glass of water, but the Mayo Clinic notes that food provides about 20% of the total water most people take in each day. Many fall crops are mostly water by weight. According to USDA data, apples are roughly 83 to 85% water, broccoli about 90%, and bell peppers 92 to 94%. Soups and stews made with these vegetables add even more.

For most healthy adults, total fluid needs from all sources land around 11.5 cups a day for women and 15.5 cups a day for men, and they go up with heat, exercise and illness. Eating plenty of produce is an easy way to make that number less of a chore.

Where IV Vitamin Therapy Fits

A varied plate of whole food is the foundation, and it's also the context for how our clients use IV therapy.

IV vitamin therapy delivers fluid, vitamins and minerals directly into the bloodstream, bypassing digestion. That's the key difference from anything you eat or drink. Some of our clients add a drip as part of their routine during demanding stretches, such as a heavy travel month, a busy season at work, or after a long effort when fluids haven't kept up. Others come in for a specific ingredient they've talked through with our provider, such as vitamin C, the B vitamins, or glutathione as an add on.

What IV therapy does not do is replace the food on your plate. It isn't a substitute for vegetables, it doesn't make up for a diet built on processed food, and it does not prevent or cure illness. We think it works best as a complement to the basics in this guide, not instead of them.

Every visit at Purifi IV starts with a real conversation with our medical team, led by local ER professionals, about what's in each bag and whether it fits you.

A Simple Saturday Plan

If you're heading to the market this month, here's a short list that covers most of the ground in this guide:

1. Two or three sweet potatoes or a winter squash

2. A bunch of kale or collards

3. A red pepper and a head of broccoli

4. Garlic and onions

5. A dozen local eggs or a protein from one of the meat vendors

6. A bag of apples for the week

Our first Purifi Kitchen recipe uses almost all of it. Find it, and our other nutrition resources, at purifiiv.com/weight-loss-nutrition. And if you're in the neighborhood after the market, come say hi. We're about ten minutes up Peachtree Industrial.

This post is for general informational purposes and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider with questions about your health.

References

1. National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements. Vitamin C: Fact Sheet for Health Professionals. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminC-HealthProfessional/

2. National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements. Vitamin A and Carotenoids: Fact Sheet for Health Professionals. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminA-HealthProfessional/

3. Mayo Clinic. Water: How much should you drink every day? https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/water/art-20044256

4. Rickman JC, Barrett DM, Bruhn CM. Nutritional comparison of fresh, frozen and canned fruits and vegetables. Part 1. Vitamins C and B and phenolic compounds. J Sci Food Agric. 2007;87:930-944. https://doi.org/10.1002/jsfa.2825

5. Minich DM, Brown BI. A Review of Dietary (Phyto)Nutrients for Glutathione Support. Nutrients. 2019;11(9):2073. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6770193/

Written and reviewed by Johnathon Nolen, and Dr. Jeremy Nelson.

Game Day Recovery: What IV Fluids Can (and Can’t) Do the Morning After

With college football season in full swing and tailgates happening most weekends around Suwanee, "hangover IV" is one of the most searched phrases in the wellness world this time of year. So let's answer it honestly, without the hype.

What actually causes a hangover

A hangover isn't just one thing. It's a mix of dehydration, electrolyte loss, low blood sugar, disrupted sleep, and the buildup of byproducts your body creates while processing alcohol. That's important, because it means no single fix addresses everything at once, and any provider who promises a total "cure" isn't being straight with you.

What the research actually says about IV hydration and hangovers

Here's the balanced version: IV fluids can rehydrate you faster than drinking water alone, because they bypass digestion and go straight into your bloodstream. If dehydration is a big part of why you feel bad, replacing fluids and electrolytes can genuinely help with symptoms like headache, dry mouth, dizziness, and fatigue.

What IV fluids don't do is reverse the effects of the toxic byproducts your liver produces while breaking down alcohol, and they won't fix every symptom. Things like light sensitivity, nausea, or that specific "hungover brain fog" can stick around even after you're well hydrated, because dehydration is only part of the picture. Major medical centers are candid about this: hangover IVs are considered an elective wellness option, not a medically necessary treatment, and they're not part of standard hangover care.

The bottom line: IV hydration is a reasonable option if you want faster fluid and electrolyte replacement than drinking water alone provides, but it is not a guaranteed or complete hangover cure, and results vary from person to person.

What we'd actually tell you to do

• Before you go out: Alternate alcoholic drinks with water, and eat something with protein and carbs beforehand.

• Before bed: Drink water or an electrolyte beverage if you can manage it.

• The next day: Rehydrate steadily, eat a balanced meal, and give your body time to rest. Sleep is doing a lot of the recovery work that no drip can replace.

• If you're considering an IV: It's most useful when dehydration is clearly part of what you're feeling, and it works best alongside food, rest, and time, not as a replacement for them.

Where Purifi fits in

At Purifi IV in Suwanee, our hydration and recovery drips are built around fluids, electrolytes, and vitamins to support rehydration. We don't market them as a hangover cure, because that's not an honest claim to make. Every visit includes a quick evaluation with our clinical team first, so we can make sure IV hydration is appropriate for you before you're hooked up.

Frequently asked questions

Does an IV cure a hangover?
No. IV fluids can help with dehydration-related symptoms like headache and fatigue, but they don't reverse every effect of alcohol, and results vary by person.

How soon can I get an IV after drinking?
Most people feel comfortable coming in the next morning. If you're still actively feeling the effects of alcohol or unable to keep fluids down, it's safer to rehydrate orally first and let a medical professional assess you before any IV treatment.

Is it safe to get IV fluids for a hangover?
For most healthy adults, standard hydration drips are low-risk when administered by trained medical staff after an evaluation. That said, IV therapy isn't right for everyone, which is why we evaluate every client before treatment rather than treating it as one-size-fits-all.

References

• Healthline — IV Fluids for Hangover: Drip Therapy, At-Home Alternatives

• University of Rochester Medical Center — Hangover IVs: Do They Really Work?

This article is for general educational purposes and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Individual results vary. If you are experiencing severe symptoms after drinking, including confusion, repeated vomiting, or difficulty staying awake, seek emergency medical care rather than IV hydration therapy.

Written and reviewed by Johnathon Nolen, and Dr. Jeremy Nelson.

Fall Training Season in Suwanee: A Runner’s Guide to Hydration, Electrolytes, and Recovery

If you run in Suwanee, you can feel the season turn. The greenway is busy again. The 6 a.m. group runs have stopped being an act of endurance in their own right. Race calendars fill up steadily from here through November, and a lot of people in Gwinnett are somewhere in the middle of a training block right now.

October is also the month when local runners ask us the most hydration questions, and, honestly, when the internet gives them the worst answers. So here's the plain version: what the evidence supports, what a good electrolyte plan actually looks like, and where a service like ours fits for the runners who use it.

The fall trap: cooler air doesn't mean less fluid loss

The most common mistake we hear about is assuming hydration stops mattering once the weather turns.

It doesn't work that way. Cool, dry fall air changes how sweating feels, not how much fluid leaves the body. Sweat evaporates faster instead of pooling on your skin, so you finish a 50 degree tempo run feeling barely damp and conclude you didn't lose much. Thirst is also a lagging indicator in cool weather, which means the usual internal cue to drink shows up later than it should.

The American College of Sports Medicine's position stand on exercise and fluid replacement makes the core point clearly. Sweat rates and sweat electrolyte content vary enormously between individuals, so there is no universal number. Fluid replacement has to be customized to the person. Their practical method for estimating your own sweat rate is refreshingly low tech: weigh yourself before and after a run, and the difference is roughly what you lost.

One pound of body weight lost is about 16 ounces of fluid.

Electrolytes, minus the marketing

Every electrolyte product on the shelf lists the same handful of minerals, usually without explaining why any of them are there. Here's the short version.

Sodium gets top billing for good reason. It's lost in the largest quantity through sweat, and it's what allows the body to hold onto the fluid you drink rather than simply excreting it. Endurance guidance generally lands in the range of 300 to 600 mg of sodium per hour of sustained effort, scaled up or down by individual sweat rate.

Potassium is not a supporting actor. It is the most abundant cation inside your cells, and the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements describes it as required for normal cell function through its role in maintaining intracellular fluid volume and transmembrane electrochemical gradients. Sodium governs the fluid around your cells. Potassium governs the fluid inside them. They work as a pair, and both are involved in how nerve signals and muscle contractions fire in the first place.

Magnesium does more jobs than almost anything else on the label. The NIH lists it as a cofactor in more than 300 enzyme systems, including ones regulating muscle and nerve function, protein synthesis, blood glucose control, and blood pressure, and it's specifically required for energy production. The same fact sheet notes that many people in the United States consume less than the recommended amount of magnesium, which means plenty of runners start their training block already at the low end of the range.

So sodium is lost in the largest amount, but potassium and magnesium do a disproportionate share of the work per milligram. That's the real reason a well built electrolyte formulation is not just salt water, and it's the same logic behind how our hydration drips are put together. Fluid plus a full electrolyte profile, administered under medical supervision.

A hydration plan you can run this week

Check your urine color. Free, and it works. Pale yellow the day before a long effort means you're in reasonable shape. Dark means you're behind. Completely clear isn't the gold star people think it is, because it can mean drinking too much.

Front load the day before, not the morning of. Drinking normally across the 24 hours before a race does far more than chugging 32 ounces at the start line.

Two hours out, drink about 16 to 20 ounces with something salty. ACSM's guidance is to begin activity euhydrated and with normal plasma electrolyte levels. Sodium alongside the fluid helps you hold onto what you drink.

During, scale to the distance. A 5K in cool Georgia fall weather usually needs nothing. A half marathon calls for roughly 4 to 6 ounces at most aid stations, with an electrolyte source in the back half.

Don't overshoot. Drinking far more than you lose during a long event can dilute blood sodium, a condition called exercise associated hyponatremia. It's uncommon, but it's real, and it's one of the few hydration problems where "more water" is the wrong answer.

Recovery: the first two hours do the heavy lifting

Shirreffs and Sawka, writing in the Journal of Sports Sciences, put it simply. Both water and sodium have to be replaced to re-establish normal total body water. Water alone dilutes blood sodium, which reduces the body's drive to retain fluid, so you drink a liter and a good share of it comes right back out.

In practice, after a hard effort:

• Keep walking for 5 to 15 minutes rather than sitting down at the finish.

• Get carbohydrates and protein in within the first one to two hours.

• Rehydrate steadily over 2 to 4 hours. General post exercise guidance is replacing roughly 150% of the fluid lost, since some of what you drink is excreted before it's absorbed.

• Pair the fluid with sodium. A salty meal alongside your water works better than water on its own.

• Change out of wet clothes, and protect your sleep for the next two to three nights.

Where IV hydration fits

Everything above is the foundation, and it's mostly free. IV hydration is not a replacement for it. But it isn't a gimmick either, and it's worth being specific about what it actually does.

IV fluids deliver fluid and electrolytes directly into the bloodstream, bypassing the gut entirely. That's the whole mechanism, and it's why the approach exists in clinical medicine in the first place. When someone has been unable to drink enough, or drinking enough hasn't been absorbed well, oral rehydration is limited by how fast the gut can move fluid. An IV isn't.

In practice, runners come to Purifi IV in three situations.

Deep in a training block. When weekly mileage is stacking up, some clients add a hydration drip or a B12 shot to their routine. This is a personal choice about a wellness routine, not a prescription.

Ahead of a big event. Some clients like to come in during event week as part of how they prepare. NAD+ is one of the things people ask us about here. We'll tell you the same thing in person that we'll write here. NAD+ is a coenzyme involved in cellular energy metabolism, a number of our clients choose it as part of their routine, and we are not going to tell you it will make you faster. The evidence for athletic performance claims isn't there.

After a long effort where fluids haven't kept up. This is the most common reason runners walk in, particularly after a hot race or a day where drinking simply didn't happen at the rate it needed to.

In every one of those cases, you're getting a conversation with our clinical team first. Purifi IV is led by local ER medical professionals, and part of what that background brings is knowing where the line is. If something feels genuinely wrong after a hard effort, an IV hydration clinic is not the right destination. An emergency department is. We will tell you that, and we'd rather you go.

If you're racing this fall

Pick your hydration plan now, in a training run, rather than improvising on race morning. Test your breakfast, test your sodium source, test the timing. Race day is a bad day to try something new.

And if you're logging long runs up Peachtree Industrial, we're at 1500 Peachtree Industrial Blvd, Ste 125, about ten minutes from Town Center. Come by with questions any time.

This post is for general informational purposes and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider with questions about your health. Individual needs vary, and not every service is appropriate for every person. If you experience severe or unusual symptoms during or after exercise, seek emergency medical care.

References

1. Sawka MN, Burke LM, Eichner ER, Maughan RJ, Montain SJ, Stachenfeld NS. "American College of Sports Medicine position stand. Exercise and fluid replacement." Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2007;39(2):377–390. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17277604/

2. Shirreffs SM, Sawka MN. "Fluid and electrolyte needs for training, competition, and recovery." J Sports Sci. 2011;29(Suppl 1):S39–S46. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22150427/

3. NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. "Potassium — Fact Sheet for Health Professionals." https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Potassium-HealthProfessional/

4. NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. "Magnesium — Fact Sheet for Health Professionals." https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Magnesium-HealthProfessional/

5. Mayo Clinic. "Hyponatremia — Symptoms and causes." https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hyponatremia/symptoms-causes/syc-20373711

Written and reviewed by Johnathon Nolen, PA-C and Dr. Jeremy Nelson, MD.

Why Everyone in Suwanee Seems to Be Sneezing Right Now (And What Actually Helps)

If it feels like half of Gwinnett County has been sneezing, blowing their nose, or rubbing itchy eyes since Labor Day, it's not your imagination — and it's not a random cold going around. It's ragweed.

What's actually happening this time of year

Ragweed pollen is the dominant allergy trigger across Georgia from August through November, and September and October are typically its peak months. A single ragweed plant can release up to a billion pollen grains in one season, and those grains are light enough to travel for miles on the wind — which is why you don't need to live near a field to feel it. Mold spores, which thrive in the damp, cooler mornings we get this time of year, tend to pile on top of ragweed symptoms, making early fall one of the toughest stretches for allergy sufferers in the Southeast.

Common symptoms during this window include:

• Sneezing and a runny or stuffy nose

• Itchy, watery eyes

• Postnasal drip and a scratchy throat

• Fatigue from disrupted sleep or congestion

• Headaches related to sinus pressure

Symptoms typically ease after the first hard frost, which in North Georgia usually doesn't arrive until sometime in November — so this is a multi-week stretch, not a one-off bad week.

What actually helps (the evidence-based basics)

Before anything else, the most effective tools for seasonal allergies are the ones your doctor or allergist already recommends:

1. Non-drowsy oral antihistamines, taken consistently during peak weeks rather than only after symptoms start.

2. Intranasal steroid sprays, which tend to work best with regular daily use.

3. Saline rinses, to mechanically clear pollen and mucus from nasal passages.

4. Exposure reduction — showering and changing clothes after time outdoors, keeping windows closed on high-pollen days, and running a HEPA filter indoors.

5. Checking local pollen counts before planning yard work or long outdoor stretches, and timing activity for lower-count parts of the day when possible.

If your symptoms are severe, keep returning every fall, or aren't responding to over-the-counter options, that's a conversation for your primary care doctor or an allergist — they can test for specific triggers and discuss prescription options that go beyond what any wellness clinic offers.

Where hydration and IV support can fit in

Congestion, mouth breathing, and disrupted sleep during allergy season can leave people feeling more run-down and dehydrated than usual, and dehydration on top of allergy fatigue is a rough combination. This is where IV hydration is worth understanding for what it is: a way to help replenish fluids and support how you're feeling day to day — not a treatment for allergies themselves, and not a substitute for antihistamines, nasal steroids, or an allergist's guidance.

At Purifi IV, some clients come in during allergy season for straightforward hydration, or for drips that include vitamin C and zinc as part of general immune and wellness support, alongside — not instead of — the allergy care their doctor already recommends. Every visit starts with a medical evaluation from our team so we can talk through what you're dealing with and whether IV hydration makes sense as part of your routine.

Frequently asked questions

When does ragweed season end in Georgia?
Most years, ragweed pollen drops off sharply after the first hard frost, which typically hits North Georgia sometime in November. Until then, counts can stay elevated, especially on windy, dry days.

Can dehydration make allergy symptoms feel worse?
Dehydration doesn't cause allergies, but it can make you feel more fatigued and foggy on top of congestion and disrupted sleep, which is part of why staying ahead of your fluid intake during allergy season matters.

Does IV hydration treat allergies?
No. IV hydration is not a treatment for allergies or a substitute for antihistamines, nasal steroids, or allergist-directed care. It's a way to support hydration and general wellness, and any specific health concerns should be evaluated by a physician.

References

• Atlanta Allergy & Asthma — When Does Fall Allergy Season Start in Georgia?

• Sleep & Sinus Centers of Georgia — Georgia Pollen Calendar: Month-by-Month Allergy Forecast

• CDC — About Handwashing and Preventing the Spread of GermsThis article is for general educational purposes and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Individual results and needs vary — talk with your doctor or allergist about the right allergy treatment plan for you, and with our medical team about whether IV hydration is a good fit alongside your care.

Written and reviewed by Johnathon Nolen, and Dr. Jeremy Nelson