About immunity shots
![Immunity shots go by many names: wellness shots, functional beverages, and immunity support drinks. Immunity shots contain prebiotics, probiotics, vitamins and other ingredients and these shots may or may not make you feel differently.](https://images.medicinenet.com/images/article/main_image/vaccine-schedule.jpg?output-quality=75)
Immunity shots go by many names: wellness shots, functional beverages, and immunity support drinks, to name a few. Wellness shots are gaining popularity as many people look for ways to boost their digestive health and immune systems.
Immunity shots get their name from their healthful ingredients and the size of the beverages. Most ingredients are ones that you probably recognize, like:
- Probiotics
- Prebiotics
- Ginger
- Vitamins
Many of these wellness shots also contain ingredients called nootropics that are supposed to provide improved health. Usually small drink portions of two to three ounces, immunity support drink claims include:
Immunity shot ingredients
Nootropics are similar to vitamins and minerals, although they work to enhance your cognitive function. Common nootropics found in wellness shots include ampakines, armodafinil, cerebrolysin, citicoline, and piracetam. It's important to know the pros and cons of immunity shots, though, before ingesting these ingredients.
Pros of ampakines
Ampakines work with your brain’s AMPA receptors to enhance the ability to transmit information quickly and accurately. The intended function of ampakines is to make you become more alert, have a higher cognitive function, and more efficiently learn.
Cons of ampakines
People who take ampakines report that they feel drowsy, nauseous, and have headaches. Studies show that long-term use of ampakines may have a negative impact on motor function and memory.
Pros of armodafinil
This compound makes it easier for you to concentrate. Studies show that participants diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea or narcolepsy who ingested Armodafinil were more awake than their peers.
Cons of armodafinil
Participants shared that they experienced headaches, nasal inflammation, and diarrhea.
Pros of cerebrolysin
Cerebrolysin is a combination of peptides and amino acids that come from porcine brain tissue. It is supposed to enhance your sensory experience and improve your brain’s ability to create synapses. Doctors in China and Russia use cerebrolysin to treat strokes.
Cons of cerebrolysin
People who took cerebrolysin experienced sensations of moving or spinning and feeling agitated or hot.
Pros of citicoline
Citicoline is often used to treat patients who are at risk of dementia and stroke. The ingredient increases your body’s levels of neurotransmitters to improve memory.
Cons of citicoline
Participants shared that they experienced:
- Headaches
- Muscle pain and weakness
- Sleeplessness and restlessness
- Stomach pains
- Tiredness
- Tremors
Pros of piracetam
Doctors often use piracetam to treat the early stages of Alzheimer's disease. There are claims that the ingredient improves memory and overall cognitive function.
Cons of piracetam
Some people who take piracetam share that they did not see an improvement in cognitive function or memory. Others experience:
- Diarrhea
- Dizziness
- Feeling tired
- Headache
- Losing memories
- Mood swings, including a general feeling of unhappiness
What to expect from wellness shots
You likely see wellness or immunity shots in your local grocery or health food store. The product labels use keywords like natural, organic, and functional. Even if a product makes these claims, that doesn’t mean you’ll experience a positive improvement in your health. In fact, doctors say that you may not feel any different at all.
If you can tell a difference in how you feel after drinking a wellness shot, the effects may be temporary. Immunity shots can be somewhat pricey at $3 or more for a two to three-ounce serving, which adds up over time. Consider reading the ingredients from wellness shots that help you and find a way to incorporate foods into your diet that contain those ingredients.
Talk to your doctor first
Talk to your doctor about the risks before trying any functional beverages. Share an ingredients list from your wellness shot of choice and ask about the pros and cons. This is especially important if there are ingredients on the nutrition label that you don’t recognize, like nootropics.
You should also share the health concerns that have you considering a wellness shot. Your doctor may have other ways to address your concerns without the need for immunity shots.
Sure, many ingredients in immunity shots like apple cider vinegar, turmeric, and vitamin C are good for you, but you can also get vitamins and minerals from fresh fruits and vegetables. Eating healthy foods is a preferable choice over immunity shots because your body absorbs the nutrients more effectively.
![](https://images.medicinenet.com//images/slideshow/foods-that-arent-as-healthy-as-you-think/foods-that-arent-as-healthy-as-you-think-s1-bulletproof-coffee.jpg)
SLIDESHOW
Foods That Aren't as Healthy as You Think See SlideshowBanner Health: "Do Wellness Shots Boost Your Health or Waste Your Money?"
Journal of Innovations in Neuroscience: "Probable Nootropicinduced Psychiatric Adverse Effects: A Series of Four Cases."
U.S. News and World Report: "Soda That's Good for You."
Top What Are Immunity/Wellness Shots and Do They Work Related Articles
Can a Good Immune System Prevent Cancer?
Your immune system is your body's way of fighting off sickness, germs, and infection. Medical research suggests that a strong immune system does protect against cancer.Can Immunity Be Measured?
There are tests that can tell you if your system is producing the correct types of immune cells and if you have enough of them.Healthy Living and Disease Prevention
The importance of a healthy lifestyle in disease prevention is widely understood and most people know that lifestyle changes and choices can be critical to good health. Learn about healthy behaviors that constitute healthy living.16 Immune Boosting Foods
Help fight colds, flu, as well as viruses like coronavirus with foods that boost and improve your immune system. Reach for bright-colored antioxidant and vitamin-rich fruits and vegetables such berries, broccoli, garlic, ginger, tea and more for vibrant health.How Your Immune System Functions
What is the immune system and its function? Your immune system finds and kills germ invaders when you are sick from a cold, the flu, or other diseases like COVID-19. Learn every part of your complex immune system, and what diseases come from an overactive or weak immune system.reishi
Reishi is a mushroom/fungus (Ganoderma lucidum) used for medicinal purposes and is available over the counter (OTC) as herbal supplements in the form of tablets, capsules, extracts, powders, and teas to reduce LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels, reduce blood pressure, slow down blood clotting function, boost immunity, and more. Do not take reishi if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Common side effects of reishi include nausea, upset stomach, diarrhea, bloody stools, dry mouth, rashes, nosebleed, headache, dizziness, insomnia, liver injury, and allergies.Top 15 Immune System Boosters
Immune system boosters include foods, supplements, and lifestyle habits to help you fight off infections. A healthy immune system benefits your body and boosts your defenses against viruses (coronavirus), bacteria, and other pathogens.