Benefits of a B12 shot? I had to learn more.

I've been curious for a while about why baseball players have kept using "a B12 shot", either truthfully, or as a cover for a positive test (see also: Palmiero, Raphael) when it was "a tainted B12 shot". Either way, there has to be a generally-accepted rationale for using B12. I tried it in pill form and didn't notice much at all.

So thanks to the miracle series of tubes, I did some basic looking around for the benefits of B12 shots and here's some quick things:

According to Variety:

When Lindsay Lohan collapsed in the Summer of 2006 on the set of "Georgia Rule," she was rushed to the hospital for a B12 shot. It was reported that she was suffering from heat exhaustion and dehydration.

Good times, huh Lindsay? Hope you didn't get your syringe from Miguel Tejada. He has some dirty ones, at least according to Raffie.



Another site that I stumbled across a giddily published an article with the header "B12 Shots: the Newest Energy Booster". Some the author's comments:

I have just recently been introduced to B12 shots; shots that are apparently becoming more and more popular these days with actors, politicians and people on the go opting for them over lattes and cappuccinos. I myself have started to get a weekly shot. Yesterday was the third week for me so far... My doctor told me that they are great stress reducers, skin enhancers, energy boosters, as well as many other beneficial factors.

Sign me up!!!


One last site that had some basic benefits listed:


Benefits From Vitamin B12 Injections:

• More energy and stamina for every day tasks.
• Healthier immune systems.

Common Benefits Reported By Participants:

• Improved sleep.
• Reduced allergies, stress and depression.
• Improved mood stabilization. [EDIT: judging by the picture to the right, I am guessing Roger was dying for a shot that day]
• Less frequent and severe headaches. [EDIT: Not for Piazza, though]

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So what? It's obvious that there really is a good medical reason to be taking B12: it's legal, it's cheap, it's readily available and there's no stigma attached to taking it (yet).

I'll look into the common uses and applications of Lidocaine another time, but if that's for joint pain, why wasn't it injected directly into the joints, like Synvisc?

Definition: Synvisc is an elastic and viscous substance made from hyaluronan which is found in normal joint fluid.

Synvisc is injected directly into the knee joint to restore the cushioning and lubricating properties of normal joint fluid. Synvisc injections are approved for the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee in those who have failed to respond to more conservative therapy.

We'll find out soon enough if that's all Roger was putting in his syringes.