The Blurb
I was recently offered the chance to try out one of Effect Doctor’s bespoke vitamin drips at London’s South Kensington Club, which was an opportunity with excellent timing as my appointment was on a Sunday and I had a party the night before. With this in mind, I selected the ‘Deluxe Recovery Drip’ and – only in the interests of putting the treatment through its paces – I made sure to over-indulge the night before. (The things I do provide a thorough review!)
The Process
I arrived at The South Kensington Club on Harrington Road in the cold rain, hungover and feeling more than a bit sorry for myself.
I was led upstairs to the Library room by Dr Will Buxton where Effect Doctors have a weekly pop-up. After the more-than-opulent interiors of the club, the first thing I noticed was just how familiar Will is with his customers (some of which knew each other). I would describe the visit as almost like joining a social club rather than a clinical appointment. Considering that I was about to have a needle injected into my arm and then pumped full of various vitamins and medications with more syllables than I’d care for, this helped me feel very at ease.
Indeed, thanks to his career as an anaesthetist, Will is an expert at cannulation (which means the insertion of an IV), and I didn’t even feel the needle go in.
As this happened, Will was keen to point out that they mix up their own drips, instead of buying in a ready-made pack). Some of my own research reveals that it is surprisingly easy for a less experienced individual to buy these IV packs off the shelf and set up shop with little to zero medical experience. With this in mind, it would be amiss of me not to reiterate that the service provided by Effect Doctors is both bespoke and medically qualified which, personally, I believe is of great benefit when needles are concerned!
My own included the following ingredients:
B1, B2, B3, B6, B12, Vitamin C and IV Magnesium (more on this later), Glutathione (a free radical), and IV Anti Inflammatory Paracetamol, which works a lot better pumped into your arm than it does taken in tablets.
The Results
It takes 5 or 10 minutes for the effects to become noticeable: a soothing feeling of energising hydration and the grateful passing of a mild headache caused by the previous night’s sins.
As my sorry self took in the drip, Will was able to tell me more about his company (they’re based in Greek Street Soho, do on-call visits and also run similar pop-ups in venues such as the Dorchester, The Karma Sanctum Soho Hotel and Chiltern Firehouse).
As my drip comes to an end, IV Magnesium is added. This, Will told me, would lower my blood pressure and relax me, as well as provide “the best night’s sleep I’d ever have”. I was already feeling pretty relaxed at this point but I’m pleased to confirm that this added to my improved state and I was feeling exceptionally content when I left, despite the downpour.
I’m at the age now where a Sunday hangover can outstay its welcome well into Monday but thanks to my treatment with Effect Doctors, Monday was a breeze. Will was right about the sleep, too. The last time I slept that well I was probably too young to remember it.
The Details
Prices vary, but sessions start at £175
A full-price list of treatments with Effect Doctors can be found on their website. Effect Doctors also offer full blood testing packages for health evaluation, hormonal balancing and vitamin deficiencies.
The South Kensington Club is a private wellness club in Kensington, offering a gym, spa, beauty and physio treatments as well as social spaces for work and play.
