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B12 Supplements and IVs Promise an Energy Boost. Here’s What the Science Says

B12, a vitamin naturally found in animal products, has become the internet’s favorite solution to low energy, fatigue, and overall sluggishness. It’s long made an appearance in multivitamins and standalone pills—but these days, its footprint seems to be ballooning. Energy drinks and shots are juiced up with the ingredient, as are IV drips promising things like vitality and hangover relief. And of course, a growing market of run-of-the-mill B12 tablets and gummies tout similar claims, suggesting the vitamin can give you an instant energy lift. But as with most supplements, marketing can be deceiving, and the truth about B12 isn’t quite so “easy pick-me-up” as you might (desperately) want to believe.

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 Should You Take a Vitamin B12 Supplement?

If your doctor has advised you to take a B12 supplement, it’s best to ask them to recommend specific dosages and brands. But Routhenstein recommends following these general guidelines when selecting a B12 supplement. Always look for those with methylcobalamin on the label, as this is the most bioavailable form of B12, meaning the body can absorb it the best. It’s also the optimal form for heart and brain health and nerve function, she says. Sublingual (under the tongue) or liquid B12 is often touted for better absorption. This form of B12 does so “by bypassing the digestive system and entering the bloodstream directly,” says Routhenstein.

 What You Should Know Before Taking Vitamin B12 Supplements

The vitamin has gotten some buzz in the past decade or so after celebrities including Rita Ora, Justin Timberlake, and Madonna were reported to have tried injections to boost their B12 levels. Katy Perry even once tweeted about getting a B12 shot in her butt. So what's the deal with B12, and is it deserving of the celebrity hype? Here's what to know about the purpose of the vitamin, how to tell whether you might be deficient in it, and what to do if you are.

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Can Taking Vitamin B12 Supplements Make Your Skin Break Out?

With Vitamin B12 IV drips and supplements taking over our Instagram feeds, we're here to tell you to proceed with caution. Before you sprinkle some into your water, pop a pill, or get a needle stuck in your arm, keep this in mind: vitamin B12 might make your skin break out.

Men Over 50 Have Trouble Absorbing This Essential B Vitamin. Here Are the Foods to Add to Your Diet.

OUT OF THE 13 vitamins our bodies need, eight are part of the B vitamin complex. All eight are vital to the functionality of our bodies. Some get more attention than others (B6, B9). But don’t forget about B12.

Vitamin B12: A Comprehensive Review of Natural vs Synthetic Forms of Consumption and Supplementation

In conclusion, vitamin B12 plays a vital role in human health. It serves essential roles in DNA synthesis, red blood cell formation, myelination, and enzymatic functions. Though naturally available in animal products, a variety of populations, including vegans, the elderly, and those with absorption disorders, may need supplementation. Evidence shows that both synthetic forms, like cyanocobalamin, and natural forms, such as methylcobalamin, can effectively raise serum B12 levels, and supplementation has shown promise in alleviating symptoms of neurologic and psychiatric disorders related to B12 deficiency.

What Are the Benefits of Taking Vitamin B12?

Vitamin B12 has become one of the most talked-about health supplements in modern medicine. Over the last few decades, studies have linked this powerful molecule to everything from boosting energy to lowering your risk of heart disease to increasing your memory and even helping your skin achieve a beautiful glow.

Why patients fight to protect access to B12 shots as methylcobalamin

Methylcobalamin is the active and highly bioavailable form of vitamin B12, supporting proper methylation and effectively replenishing B12 stores, especially in individuals with health conditions that typically impair absorption.

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Harvard Health

If you take a B12 pill, Dr. Stampfer recommends taking the natural form (methylcobalamin), not the synthetic form (cyanocobalamin). "Studies suggest cyanocobalamin may impair kidney function in people with borderline kidney problems, so it’s better to stay on the safe side," he says. What if you have reduced stomach acid? "In supplement form, B12 isn’t bound to the food, so you don’t need stomach acid to extract it," Dr. Stampfer notes.