Wellness is having a moment in Houston. Luxury spas offer tranquility, innovative treatments promise a youthful glow and now, a new trend is piercing through the city … quite literally. For the perpetually dehydrated (a.k.a. all of us) or those looking for a nutrient pick-me-up, IV therapy might be an option worth looking into.

Intravenous therapy, a process of delivering fluids, vitamins, and medications directly into a vein, is becoming increasingly popular in Houston. At facilities across the city, you can have a registered nurse insert a thin plastic catheter into your vein, typically in the arm, to administer these fluids and vitamins. Advocates for this wellness treatment claim numerous benefits, including rapid rehydration, replenishment of essential nutrients, and potential relief from various ailments.

“When you’re taking vitamins by mouth you absorb about 20 to 30 percent of it,” says Michelle Gibson, general manager of Bounce Hydration, a Houston-based IV therapy provider. “When you take a vitamin or mineral by IV you get 100 percent of those nutrients and those vitamins and minerals directly in your bloodstream and it bypasses your digestive tract.”

This enhanced absorption rate is a key draw for fans of the trend. Gibson says that many clients view IV therapy as a proactive step toward maintaining health and preventing illness. Others might turn to it for specific concerns such as fatigue, immune support, or recovery from illness.

Although the promise of quick relief is exciting, Gibson says it’s important to remember that responses vary based on individual factors—clients may experience immediate relief or benefits over a few days, depending on their unique physiology.

When it comes to safety, Gibson underscores the importance of selecting a reputable provider and ensuring that treatments are administered by experienced registered nurses. She advises people to research IV therapy centers thoroughly, inquire about safety protocols, and disclose any medical conditions or medications before undergoing treatment.

Patients must also be aware of potential side effects and considerations. Similar to any medical procedure, there’s a chance of minor discomfort where the needle is injected, although providers like Bounce Hydration take steps to minimize this. More importantly, certain medical conditions may make IV therapy unsuitable. “People with chronic kidney disease or heart failure are not candidates for this type of service,” Gibson says, recommending a consultation with a doctor beforehand.

As interest in the practice continues to grow, Houstonians now have a variety of options. Here are some local businesses and spas that offer IV therapy.

Revived IV Therapy

Tanglewood & River Oaks | Membership starts at $69 per month

This business offers a wide range of holistic and medical services, categorizing its drips into aesthetics (beauty, weight management, hydration), wellness (detox, inflammation, immunity), performance (fitness, focus, energy), and specialty (party recovery, relaxation, libido, allergies, migraines, women’s health). Beyond IV therapy, Revived provides advanced treatments like Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT), which uses pressurized chambers with high oxygen concentration to promote healing, and supplementary treatments such as IV boosters, vitamin shots, NAD+ Therapy, and Ozone + UV IV Therapy, where your blood is drawn, mixed with O3, and then infused back into your body intravenously.