Get A Drip, founded by Richard Chambers, has the clear vision to make IV Vitamin Hydration therapy affordable and accessible to everyone. We sent Healthy Living London’s Lucinda to test out the Energy Drip at the company’s latest clinic, which has just opened at Westfield.
Get a drip?
As I approached the clinic at the Westfield shopping centre in west London, I was a little tentative. It is in the middle of the mall, and not in a clinic as I was expecting. It looked very exposed, and I did experience a little doubt about whether I wanted to proceed with this trial. That doubt was left at the door, although there is no door to this intriguingly fluid ‘clinic’ space.
I was met by a friendly and welcoming team who invited me inside to choose a booth to sit down. As soon as I was sat inside, cocooned in the comfortable high-backed seats, I didn’t feel exposed at all. It was quite private, safe and completely protected from the hustle and bustle of the shoppers outside.
IV Vitamin Hydration
Like many people, the thought of needles makes me shudder. I most definitely have to look away when I have to see the nurse for a routine blood test. But I have to say the whole experience at Get A Drip was comfortable and I felt like I was in safe hands.
All the staff are very experienced with medical backgrounds. Many have worked within the NHS, and some still work there alongside their roles with Get A Drip. I was reassured by the questionnaire that I signed on arrival and by the nurse taking my blood pressure and sitting down to talk about how I felt, my general health and wellbeing, including my mood. This helps the team to identify which is the right vitamin drip or booster shot for you on that day.
Vitamin cocktails?
I arrived feeling a pretty low 4/10. My energy was very low, I’d been feeling irrationally emotional for a few weeks and was very overtired. There is a huge menu of different vitamin cocktails to choose from. I was prescribed the Energy Drip, or Myers Cocktail, which is one of the most popular treatments. It contains basic hydration, B complex, Amino Acids, B12 methylcobalamin and Magnesium.
Benefits of Magnesium: Contributes to a reduction in tiredness and fatigue, electrolyte balance, normal energy-yielding metabolism, normal functioning of the nervous system, normal muscle function, normal protein synthesis, normal psychological function, the maintenance of normal bones and teeth and plays a role in the process of cell division.
Benefits of Vitamin B complex: Contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism, functioning of the nervous system, mucous membranes, maintenance of normal red blood cells, normal skin, normal vision, normal metabolism of iron, protection of cells from oxidative stress, reduction of tiredness and fatigue.
What does it feel like?
The IV Vitamin Drip is administered intravenously directly into the bloodstream and is a very fast way to get critical nutrients and hydration into your body. The procedure is fast acting because it bypasses the gastrointestinal system, meaning that 100% of the vitamins and nutrients are absorbed directly into your body. There is a small pin prick as the catheter is inserted into the vein in your arm, but it isn’t painful at all.
The treatment takes approximately 30 minutes, and during that time, my arm did turn quite cold. This is because the Energy Drip is slightly lower than your body temperature. As soon as the treatment is finished and you can wave your arm around again, it quickly returns to normal.
On leaving, I experienced a mineral taste in my mouth, which is also quite common and nothing to worry about.
I quickly felt more alert with a definite spring in my step, walking away from the clinic much more quickly than when I arrived. And I noticed an immediate improvement in my general mood and wellbeing from 4/10 to a good 6/10. While I didn’t sleep that well the night following the treatment, I don’t tend to sleep well, so I can’t tell if that’s related.
The following day I still experienced a mineral taste in my mouth, but I also had a marked increase in mental clarity which felt amazing. That feeling of a foggy head and struggling to focus on anything was gone, and it was a joy to have my get up and go back and to feel motivated and focused again. Two days after the treatment, I felt really good and my joy de vivre was back along with my energy. I’d say a good 8/10.
How long does it take?
The IV drip took about 30minutes in total, so ideal timing to squeeze into a lunch break, or fit into a days shopping at Westfield. In fact it is an incredibly relaxing space to just sit and rest for half an hour. The bonus is you’re treating your body to a boost of vital vitamins and minerals meaning you’ll bound out of that chair feeling so much better and more energized than when you arrived.
How long does it last?
The effects and how long they last are very much dependent upon the individual, meaning it’s up to you and how you feel to determine how often you feel you need a top up. The advice varies from as often as once a month, to every three months or just once a year.
Final thoughts
I was really impressed with the team at Get A Drip. They are very professional, and all trained and experienced nurses and doctors, meaning you really feel in the safe hands of a medical expert. The positive effects of the energy drip were instantly noticeable, and two weeks on I am still feeling great. I would definitely return for a booster, either another Energy drip or even a vitamin B12 Energy or B Complex booster shot in the future, particularly if I feel I am coming down with a cold or virus. As an alternative to often expensive and ineffective oral supplements, I would highly recommend the IV drip. It is fast-acting because it bypasses the gastrointestinal system, meaning that 100% of the vitamins and nutrients are absorbed directly into you body.
What makes Get A Drip unique is that whilst this is very much a clinic in terms of the treatments being administered by medically trained professionals, it does not feel at all clinical. The ribbon design of the seating booths means that you can go alone and feel like you are in your own very private space, or you can go with a friend in your lunch break or take some time out from shopping to enjoy a treatment together which makes it a sociable space too. And for those who don’t fancy sitting in a mall, or are even unable to get to one of the clinics, Get A Drip also offer a fantastic home visit service too.
More information
WHO’S IT FOR: Anyone
WHERE: Westfield, Chiswick Park, Box Park, home visits are also available
HOW MUCH: Energy Drip – £125
WEBSITE: www.getadrip.co.uk
Be aware of the facts when looking at Getadrip and their services – there are some concerning stories. For example in one recent case they have been heavily criticised for selling “fertility drips” that are “exploiting their customers and offering false hope”. After robust criticism, the drip had to be removed from sale.
The BBC have loads more information about the company here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-48839108
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