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A frequent music festival-goer is issuing a warning for those who dry scoop Liquid I.V. to replenish their electrolytes during these events. Her word of advice? Don’t do that, unless you want to end up in the emergency room.
Dash (@dash.c) posted her PSA to TikTok, where it has earned over 72,000 views as of Wednesday. In it, she breaks down how a seemingly innocent method to consume Liquid I.V. has put some folks in very “scary medical situations.”
What Is Liquid I.V.?
Liquid I.V. is a powder that contains electrolytes. You mix it with water and drink it for hydration, and according to the brand, it uses “Cellular Transport Technology (CTT)®️ ️to hydrate faster and more efficiently than water.”
The product is often used by ravers, who tend to be extremely active and sweat out their body’s natural electrolytes when raving at festivals. However, as Dash warned, some people may be harming themselves with it.
“It has come to my attention that some people have misused [Liquid I.V.] in very dangerous ways,” Dash says in her clip. She describes seeing someone “dry scoop” the Liquid I.V. straight into their mouth, washing it down with a little water.
Dash looks appalled at this idea, saying, “I cannot emphasize to you guys how dangerous that is.”
The TikToker says this can cause “hypernatremia,” which is a condition where the body has too little water for the quantity of sodium ingested.
“It can cause mild side effects all the way to seizures, coma or it can be fatal for some people,” she warns.
The creator then urges folks to always follow the directions on the package. However, she does note that for some people, like those who have postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), more than one package can be OK.
“You only need one Liquid I.V. per day,” Dash advises. “And the rest [of the day] drink water.”
Liquid I.V. confirms this on its website, stating it recommends folks to only consume one serving stick a day with 16 ounces of water.
BroBible reached out to Dash for comment via Instagram message and to Liquid I.V. via email.
Is It Dangerous To Dry Scoop Liquid I.V.?
In short, yes, it can be dangerous to dry scoop Liquid I.V. Under its Frequently Asked Questions section on its site, the company explains how each serving works on a “specific ratio” of sodium, sugar, potassium, and water. Because of this, not mixing it with water makes it ineffective at being properly absorbed by the body. Since most of these electrolyte powders work on Oral Rehydration Therapy (ORT), diluting or saturating them is not recommended. Otherwise, you’ll just be stressing your digestive tract.
Additionally, dry scooping powders can be a choking hazard and lead to accidental inhalation of the product.
Can You Drink Too Much Liquid I.V.?
Dash’s warning was also right on the money with this one. It is definitely possible to overdose on electrolytes. If you drink more Liquid I.V. than recommended, you might experience more than just hypernatremia, as Dash warned. Some symptoms include muscle weakness, headache, tremors, muscle cramping, nausea and irregular heartbeat. If you begin to notice these symptoms, it’s best to go to the hospital or doctor right away.
@dash.c please always use the directed amount of water. never dry scoop. don’t chug. drink only per day