Peak Hydration Lounge

A First Timer’s Guide to IV Therapy: Everything You Need to Know

mand and woman sitting in chairs smiling receiving IV Therapy

If you’ve ever felt curious, a little anxious, or even skeptical about IV therapy, you’re not alone! Many first-time clients have come with questions about what IV therapy involves, how it works, and if it’s right for them. At Peak Hydration, we understand these concerns and are here to offer a safe and comfortable environment with treatments that are designed to help you feel your best! Whether you’re looking to improve physical performance, recover from exhaustion, support your health, or just unwind after traveling or socializing, we’ve got you covered!

Give your wellness the boost it needs with IV therapy!

In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about your first session, what to expect, and why Peak Hydration provides the best experience for newcomers.

What is IV Therapy?

IV therapy, or intravenous therapy, is a treatment where essential vitamins, minerals, and nutrients are delivered directly into your bloodstream through an IV drip. The process involves inserting a small needle into a vein, allowing the nutrients to bypass your digestive system, which ensures your body can absorb everything immediately and completely.

hand hanging IV therapy bag

IV therapy is a fast and efficient way to replenish your body with nutrients and hydration that supports overall wellness. It’s often used to boost energy, support the immune system, enhance recovery, and improve mental clarity, offering a science-backed approach to meeting your health goals.

How Does it Work?

Most of us take our vitamins and minerals orally whether through our food or via tablets. While it is important to eat healthy food and support your wellness with vitamins and other supplements, as it passes through the digestive system, much of our nutrients are broken down rather than absorbed. 

With IV therapy however, everything in your bag goes straight into the bloodstream!

IV Therapy vs. Oral Supplements

Oral Supplements: When you swallow a vitamin pill or drink a supplement, it travels to your stomach where enzymes break it down. From there, the nutrients must pass through the intestinal walls and into your bloodstream. However, during this process, many nutrients are lost, especially if your body struggles to absorb them due to gut health issues or the presence of other food.

IV Therapy: In contrast, IV therapy skips the digestive process altogether. The vitamins and minerals in the IV solution are delivered directly into your bloodstream, where they can be absorbed and used by your body immediately. This is especially helpful for people with digestion problems or those who need a quick boost in their energy, immune function, or hydration.

 

What Sets Peak Hydration’s IV Therapy Apart?

At Peak Hydration, we believe that IV therapy is more than just a treatment—it’s an important building block for a holistic, whole-body approach to health! But more than this, it should be a relaxing, comfortable experience that is good for both mind and body. 

Here are a few key aspects that make our services stand out from the rest:

board certified nurse and client prepping for IV therapy

Professional, Medical-Grade Care

Every IV therapy session at Peak Hydration is administered by trained professionals, including licensed, board certified doctors and experienced registered nurses. We prioritize your safety and comfort, ensuring that each treatment is tailored to meet your specific needs. Whether you’re recovering from an illness, need a wellness boost, or simply want to improve your overall health, you’re in trusted hands with our skilled medical staff!

High-Quality Ingredients

We only use the highest-quality ingredients in our IV drips, ensuring that you receive potent, safe, and effective treatments. Our IV bags are packed with essential vitamins, minerals, and nutrients, all of which are rigorously tested for purity and efficacy. You can trust that what’s going into your body is exactly what you need.

Customized Wellness Solutions

No two clients are alike, and neither are our treatments. At Peak Hydration, we take the time to understand your health goals, whether that’s boosting your immune system, rehydrating after travel, or helping you recover after surgery or an intense workout. Our team works with you to customize your IV drip based on your individual needs, ensuring you get the most out of your therapy.

A Relaxing, Spa-Like Atmosphere

We go beyond offering a medical service—our clinic provides a spa-like environment designed to help you relax and enjoy your therapy. Comfortable recliners, heated blankets, and soothing music create a calm and inviting space where you can unwind during your session. We even offer extras like massage equipment, eye covers, and earplugs to help you fully relax.

client of Peak Hydration lying on a white couch with a blanket and eye mask during session

Proven Results and Client Satisfaction

We take pride in the positive feedback we receive from our clients. Many report feeling more energized, clear-headed, and revitalized after just one session. Our treatments are designed to offer both immediate and long-term benefits, helping you feel your best day after day. With so many repeat clients and glowing reviews, we know we’re doing something right.

What to Expect During Your First IV Therapy Session

When you step through the doors at Peak Hydration, you’ll notice that we’ve created a calm, welcoming environment. 

Here’s what to expect from your first session:

Check-In Process: You’ll check in, complete a short intake form, and let us know your goals for the session. A nurse will review your form to ensure everything is in order, and our knowledgeable staff will be available to discuss the best IV drip for you.

Choosing Your IV Treatment: With a variety of IV drips to choose from, we’ll guide you toward the one that aligns best with your needs—whether it’s a wellness boost, recovery from illness, or a hydration fix.

Setting Up the IV: Don’t worry, the IV needle is only in your vein for a few seconds! After that, a small, flexible tube will take its place while you relax. 

Relaxation Time: While receiving your IV treatment, you’ll be able to relax in one of our comfy recliners. You can read, watch TV, or simply unwind with a blanket and an eye mask–your practitioner will be able to set you up with everything you need. Sessions typically last 45-60 minutes and you may eat and drink before, during, and after treatment. For some infusions, like NAD+, it’s important to have a meal beforehand and bring a snack with you so you feel comfortable during a longer infusion session.

Does IV Therapy Hurt? Addressing Common Concerns

We understand that many people associate needles with discomfort. However, IV therapy is often much more pleasant than you might expect! 

We use a very small needle, and our skilled practitioners are gentle and experienced. Any discomfort our clients have experienced is minimal and brief. In fact, many of our clients find the process completely painless and even relaxing!

What our clients say:

gloved hand of medical professional at Peak Hydration making sure an IV is comfortable in the arm of a client wearing a green shirt

“Great experience with my IV infusion today. It was a painless and relaxing experience and all my questions were answered. I’m excited to get on top of my hydration and have a resource here in Bellingham to support my active and busy lifestyle. Great community vibe.”

“I have never written a review, however, Peak Hydration deserves 5 + stars! Dr. Honey, Ingrid, Becca, Melanie, Chelsea, Alana…the most professional, knowledgeable, caring staff. I have never felt better and have dramatically improved lab values to prove it! I receive my IV therapy and IM injections without any discomfort in a calm and relaxing environment by staff with the utmost confidence. I really appreciate having access to Peak Hydration and to the Dr.’s and R.N.’s who are making a real difference! Peak Hydration is the best!”

“Just getting over the flu my wife and I came in for an Immune Boost IV. Everything was amazing! They are so nice and make you feel very comfortable. We both didn’t even feel the IV poke! The lounge is so calm and relaxing! We sat in comfortable recliners with heated blankets!”

We get it–many people have poor associations with needles which can be a challenge to overcome! For those who have had unpleasant IV experiences in the past, our soothing approach can often help change negative associations with needles and make the process something to look forward to.

The Benefits of IV Therapy: Beyond Hydration

woman in jeans and a red shirt jumping in the forest

IV therapy is well-known for its ability to deliver fast and effective hydration, but its benefits extend far beyond simply replenishing fluids! By delivering a powerful combination of vitamins, minerals, and electrolytes directly into the bloodstream, IV therapy can have a profound impact on your overall health and wellness. 

We offer a wide range of IV therapy bags no matter what kind of support your body might need:

Boosting Energy Levels

One of the most immediate and noticeable effects of IV therapy is an increase in energy. This is largely due to the inclusion of B vitamins, which play a crucial role in energy production at the cellular level. B12 helps convert food into energy, and deficiencies in B12 are known to cause fatigue and lethargy​. IV therapy ensures that these vitamins are fully absorbed by bypassing the digestive system, leading to quicker and more efficient energy boosts. 

Supporting Immune Function

IV drips rich in Vitamin C and Zinc are excellent for supporting immune function. Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant that helps protect cells from damage caused by free radicals, while also playing a critical role in immune defense​. Studies show that regular Vitamin C supplementation can help reduce the duration and severity of colds​. Zinc, on the other hand, supports the immune system by promoting the development of white blood cells, which are essential in fighting off infections​

Improving Mental Clarity and Focus

Dehydration and nutrient deficiencies are common causes of brain fog, fatigue, and lack of focus. By providing a combination of hydration, electrolytes, and essential nutrients, IV therapy can help restore mental clarity and improve focus. Magnesium, in particular, is essential for neurotransmitter function, and its deficiency has been linked to everything from anxiety to difficulty concentrating​. With IV therapy, these nutrients are delivered directly to your cells, leading to quicker cognitive benefits.

Speeding Up Recovery

For athletes or individuals recovering from illness or strenuous activity, IV therapy can help speed up recovery times. The direct infusion of amino acids, B vitamins, and electrolytes can help repair muscle tissue, reduce inflammation, and replenish lost nutrients. Studies have shown that IV rehydration can be more effective than oral hydration for restoring electrolyte balance and reducing recovery time​. Athletes often use IV therapy to reduce soreness and improve recovery post-training​

Enhancing Skin Health

IV drips designed for beauty often include glutathione, a powerful antioxidant. Glutathione supports skin health by reducing oxidative stress, which can lead to premature aging. Vitamin C also plays a key role in collagen production, which keeps skin firm and youthful​. These nutrients, when delivered intravenously, can promote clearer, brighter, and more hydrated skin from the inside out.

You can find a full list of ingredients on our IV therapy page! Simply click on the ‘ingredients’ tab under the bag you’re interested in. Not sure what something is? No problem! You can look it up in our glossary and if you need more information, you can always ask us!

Preparing for Your First Appointment

To get the most out of your IV therapy session, here are a few simple steps you can take beforehand:

Hydrate Well: You might think that hydrating before your session is a little odd but there is a good reason! Finding a vein on a dehydrated client is challenging and can potentially cause more discomfort than necessary. Being sufficiently hydrated is important for the absorption process and it’s just good to be comfortable! Bring a water bottle with you to your session!

Eat a Light Meal: A snack or small meal is a good idea before your session. Each session is between 45-60 minutes and you’ll want to make sure you’re comfortable. Additionally a small meal can help prevent lightheadedness or nausea.

Wear Comfortable Clothing: Loose sleeves or short sleeves are ideal for easy access to your arms.

Discuss Any Concerns: Feel free to call ahead with any questions or concerns you may have!

At Peak Hydration, we’re all about comfort. From cozy blankets and massage equipment to earplugs and eye covers, we offer a variety of amenities to help you fully relax during your session!

Why Peak Hydration is the Best Place for First-Time Clients

blonde nurse at front desk smiling and helping a dark-haired, male client choose an IV therapy bag

We take pride in offering a positive, welcoming experience for all our clients, especially first-timers! At Peak Hydration, we have highly trained professionals, top quality IV therapies, a calm atmosphere and medical grade equipment maintained to the highest standards. We’re more than just a clinic—we’re a community dedicated to helping you feel your best!

Still feeling nervous? Schedule a free consultation with our team today! 

Mention this article to get 10% off your first IV treatment! Book today

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