If you had a headache in ancient Persia, a physician might have recommended what we know today as cannabis, opium, or oil from the willow tree. In ancient Egypt, headaches and arthritic symptoms would be treated with an ointment made from fat, oil, honey, or bone marrow, sometimes added to baking soda, cumin, flour, or incense. Healthcare’s come a long way in 3,000 years. Today, we have many more options, including the Myers’ Cocktail.
Who was John Myers?
John Myers was a Baltimore, Maryland-area medical doctor who treated countless patients experiencing symptoms from headaches to chronic pain to digestive issues and everything in between. Like all healthcare professionals, his commitment to treating his patients and improving their lives was at the forefront of everything he did. In the 1950s, Dr. Myers began toying with the idea of using the process to distribute medicine intravenously to boost vitamin and nutrient levels in his patients, and the Myers’ Cocktail was born.
How Does It Work?
Intravenous (IV) vitamin therapy (also called intravenous micronutrient therapy and hydration therapy) is a method to deliver high concentrations of vitamins and minerals directly into a person’s bloodstream. This allows for rapid absorption of higher doses of the minerals and vitamins, compared to receiving them through food or supplements as part of the natural digestive process. When digested orally, it may take hours for food and other nutrients to be broken down into energy and delivered throughout the body. But with a Myers’ Cocktail IV infusion, it’s nearly instantaneous.
As is the case with many kinds of therapy, the benefits of the Myers’ Cocktail are still being investigated and debated. Still, numerous healthcare professionals believe it can achieve the following:
- Treat dehydration
- Improve and protect the immune system
- Boost energy levels and reduce chronic fatigue
- Reduce symptoms of fibromyalgia
- Lessen the severity of discomfort linked to migraine symptoms
- Relieve symptoms of psychological stress including anxiety, depression, and stress
Typical ingredients in a Myers’ Cocktail IV infusion
What’s in a Myers’ Cocktail IV infusion depends on symptoms, your overall health, and other factors, but the revised version consists of the following:
- Magnesium CL
- Dexapanthenol (Vitamin B5)
- Thiamine (Vitamin B1)
- Riboflavin-5-Phosphate (Vitamin B2)
- Pyridoxine (Vitamin B6)
- Pyridoxine HCL
- Niacinamide (Vitamin B3)
- Calcium Gluconate
- Hydroxocobalamin (Vitamin B12)
- Ascorbic Acid
The most common ingredients in a Myers’ Cocktail include:
Vitamin C and Vitamin B12.
According to Linus Pauling, a double Nobel laureate and renowned supporter of vitamin C, this vitamin is believed to prevent the common cold and some chronic diseases. It’s also crucial for controlling infections, healing wounds, neutralizing harmful free radicals, and making collagen, hormones, and chemical messengers in the brain. When chemical messengers in the brain are weak, problems can arise related to managing emotions and processing pain signals.
Calcium
Calcium is needed to maintain strong bones. It also can help control irregular heartbeats and aids in the normal functioning of muscles and nerves.
Magnesium
Mostly warehoused in bones, muscles, and soft tissues, this mineral is believed to reduce fatigue and migraines, support muscle and nerve function, lower the frequency and pain of muscle spasms, boost energy production, and even help people at risk of cardiovascular diseases.
Zinc
Zinc has been shown to help control the immune system and metabolism function, but it’s not formed naturally in our bodies, making the Myers’ Cocktail a good candidate for boosting Zinc levels. Someone with zinc deficiency may be prone to loss of appetite, hair loss, bowel problems, and eye and skin lesions.
Other vitamins and minerals may also be included at various doses, based on the kind of infusion a patient needs and receives. While the cocktail is generally safe, you and your healthcare provider should talk about underlying medical conditions you may have and how an infusion of vitamins and minerals could affect your overall health. For this reason, many people interested in Myers’ Cocktail IV infusion have a thorough medical examination before proceeding with treatment.
Suggested Add-on: Glutathione Push
Glutathione is a powerful antioxidant that is made naturally in the body. It can benefit the immune system and has been found helpful in preventing certain cancers, cystic fibrosis, human immunodeficiency virus, and the normal aging process.
