I was recently watching the Real Housewives of Atlanta, season 15 (I know, I’m behind). There was a scene where the girls were dishing out some gossip, not over tea or coffee, but instead over Vitamin IV drips. It was a peculiar sight, but not one I hadn’t seen before. The reality stars of Selling Sunset also had a very similar scene. Still, I can’t get past the casualness of it. It reminded me of Secret Lives of Mormon Wives where they all meet up to gossip at the Botox office, inhaling the laughing gas like oxygen. Okay, maybe that one is a little different, but whatever happened to talking crap at the nail salon? Or while grabbing some appetizers? More than likely, I’ve simply become too exposed to reality TV ever since I bought a Peacock subscription. 

Most vitamin IV drips, also known as vitamin therapy, include vitamin C, B vitamins, magnesium, calcium, and electrolytes like Sodium and potassium. The anticipated plus side of using vitamin therapy as opposed to taking vitamins by mouth is that they enter the bloodstream directly, which users have expressed makes them feel better more quickly. Vitamin therapy has also been used specifically for hydration, especially in sports (or, in the reality TV world, hangover cures). 

While vitamin IV drips have definitely become a rising trend, especially for the rich and famous, I prefer to steer clear of needles. They make me feel queasy.

The idea of vitamin therapy, though, has me thinking about all of the different kinds of vitamins, supplements, and teas people take for a variety of desired effects. According to a study by Harvard University, approximately 50% of adults take a daily vitamin, and about 33% take a daily multivitamin. On any given day, over fifty percent of the American population drinks tea.

Most of the people I know are heavily into supplements. My mom used to take a handful of gas-station vitamin supplements a day when I was a child, and probably before that, too. Now, she takes more dignified vitamins from a vitamin store, of course. My sister and I take probiotic vitamins and multivitamins. My friends take magnesium supplements and calming gummies and gender-specific one-a-days. My boyfriend takes melatonin like it’s no one’s business. The list goes on.

Besides multivitamins, the only time I lean towards taking supplements is when they offer some kind of calming effect that I am desperate for. 

I am no medical expert, but I do have a list of supplements, whether it be in pill, gummy, or tea form, that I choose from when I’m having an anxious or stressful day. They could be placebo, they could be legitimate, or they could be somewhere in between. Regardless, these are my favorite go-to supplements for calmness and relaxation:

*These recommendations are my own opinion and should not be taken unless consulted with a doctor. 

• L-Theanine – I think of L-Theanine as my brain’s cuddle buddy. Found in green tea, this little amino acid boosts feel-good neurotransmitters like GABA and serotonin, helping me stay relaxed yet focused. It’s perfect for those days when stress is high, but I still need to get things done (which is pretty much every day).

• GABA – When my brain feels like it’s in overdrive, GABA tends to slow it down. As the body’s natural calming neurotransmitter, it helps quiet racing thoughts, reduce anxiety, and even improve sleep. I like taking GABA at the end of the day to wind down before bed.

• Chamomile – A warm cup of chamomile tea before bed isn’t just cozy—it’s science-backed stress relief. Chamomile’s antioxidants interact with our brain’s relaxation receptors, helping to melt away anxiety and promote restful sleep. I drink chamomile tea during the day when my anxiety is high, or at night when I want a good sleep. I like to throw in some lemon and ginger in there when I’m feeling a bit under the weather, too.

• Ashwagandha – Period! This powerful adaptogen helps balance cortisol (our stress hormone), making us more resilient to daily pressures. Whether you need a mood boost or better sleep, ashwagandha has been known to help with anxiety and stress. Ashwagandha tea and gummies have always helped with my anxiety.

• Lavender – There’s a reason lavender is in so many spa products. Its soothing scent and calming properties help reduce anxiety, lower stress hormones, and even improve sleep. Whether in tea, essential oils, or supplements, lavender feels like a cute lullaby for my nerves. I like throwing in a lavender shower steamer or two for extra relaxation after a workout. 

All in all, vitamins and supplements can be helpful to add to your diet, with many of them being scientifically proven to improve your mood, cognitive function, and stress tolerance. However, not every vitamin supplement is the magic cure marketers want you to believe—unless your wallet is feeling a little too full, like the reality stars and their extra IV drips. Before you start popping pills like a medieval king trying to avoid the plague (RIP King Henry the 8th, you would’ve loved vitamin B12), chat with your doctor to see what, if anything, you actually need.

Brenna Sheets is a graduate student in Emerson College’s Writing and Publishing M.A. program. Her hobbies include going on long walks, watching bad television, reading, and writing.