Back in the day, seeing someone with a band aid and a bit of cotton wool on the arm was a sign of illness. “Ndaiswa drip” (I had a drip) was a common phrase used by many to convince their peers that they were really unwell. Now a drip is a
In recent years, celebrities have been posting pictures of themselves with IV drips on their arms. The use of vitamin drips has been encouraged for their health benefits and the most commonly mentioned types are Jet Fuel, Myers Cocktail and Glutathione drips often used by Zimbabwean women to bleach their skin.
Jet Fuel, aptly named after its vibrant, luminous yellow color, has been used for many years as an intravenous Vitamin Drip with various and extensive health benefits.
The Borrowdale Trauma Center (in Harare Zimbabwe) also opened a Jet Fuel Drip Bar dedicated to administering these Vitamin drips. According to their website these are “natural IV therapies for various ailments and recovery”. The cost of having the drip is 150USD per session. People go to the bar to cure their hangovers, immune boosting, skin glow and other ailments.
These IV treatments are popular amongst women who bleach their skin as the trauma centre has mentioned “Bollywood Skin Glow” and “Hollywood rush” as part of their benefits. The recommended frequency is once every fortnight meaning one would need 300USD per month to see the benefits of these treatments.
Myers Cocktail (named after the late John Myers, M.D) is an infusion of multiple vitamins and minerals. This nutrient cocktail is injected into the body via IV. Kendall Jenner was hospitalized after suffering from an alleged negative reaction to the Myers Cocktail drip ahead of her appearance at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party in 2018.
Are these IV treatments safe?
Dr. Sam Torbati, co-chair of Emergency Medicine at Cedars-Sinai said “For the most part, people report feeling better after these treatments because it’s a rapid way to receive hydration. If you’ve been sick or out drinking, you’re dehydrated—so hydrating will make you feel better.”
Proponents (people that advocate for the therapy say the IV drips work because they bypass the stomach and go straight into the blood stream, but that isn’t necessarily a good thing, says Dr. Torbati.”When you put something straight into the bloodstream, you bypass all of your body’s built-in safeguards and filters. You want to make sure you know exactly what’s in it.”
IV treatment has been gaining traction over the few years and it doesn’t look like the trend will die down anytime soon. People just want the fastest way to get something. The fastest way to get lighter skin. The fasted way to get over a hangover. The fastest way to get vitamins. First it was “eat more fruit”, then it was “take your vitamins” and now its “get your jet fuel”. I wonder what’s next.