Author: Dr Laura Milligan, Optimised Medical

Let me start with a bit of honesty.

For a long time, I was quietly sceptical about vitamin B12 injections. Not because they don’t work — the science behind B12 is solid — but because somewhere along the way, B12 got swallowed up by the wellness industry and turned into something… a bit ridiculous.

You know the sort of thing. “Instant energy!” “Brain upgrade!” “Better skin, hair, mood, life, and probably your aura too!” All filmed under a ring light with a syringe for dramatic effect.

So why am I now offering intramuscular (IM) vitamin B12 injections at Optimised Medical?

Because when you strip away the hype and look at the evidence, B12 is actually a very sensible, genuinely helpful treatment for a lot of people — particularly in modern life, where stress, gut issues, busy schedules and burnout are the norm rather than the exception.

So let’s talk about what B12 really does, who it’s actually useful for, and why a very small injection can sometimes make a very real difference.

What vitamin B12 actually does

Vitamin B12 (also called cobalamin) is a water-soluble vitamin that your body relies on for some pretty fundamental processes, including:

• Producing energy at a cellular level
• Making healthy red blood cells
• Keeping your nervous system functioning properly
• Supporting concentration, cognition and mood

Put simply: if your B12 levels are low, your body has to work much harder just to do the basics.

The catch is that we don’t make B12 ourselves. We have to get it from food — mainly animal products — and then absorb it through the gut. And for many people, that absorption step is exactly where things fall down.

Why low B12 is so common

B12 deficiency isn’t rare. In fact, I see it far more often than people expect — and it’s frequently overlooked.

Some common reasons include:

• Vegetarian or vegan diets
• Gut conditions such as IBS, coeliac disease, Crohn’s or chronic gastritis
• Long-term use of medications like proton pump inhibitors or metformin
• Ongoing stress (which genuinely affects absorption)
• Perimenopause and menopause
• Busy lives with “okay” nutrition rather than optimal nutrition

What’s interesting is that many people aren’t severely deficient. Their levels are just low enough to make them feel… not quite right.

Tired but wired. Foggy. Flat. Unmotivated. Not unwell — just not themselves.

And those are often the patients who notice the biggest difference when B12 is corrected.

“But I already take a supplement…”

That’s a fair point.

Oral B12 supplements can work well — if your gut is able to absorb them properly. Absorption depends on good gut health and something called intrinsic factor, which many people either lack or don’t use efficiently.

IM B12 injections bypass the digestive system altogether. The vitamin is delivered directly into the muscle and absorbed straight into the bloodstream.

In other words: it actually gets to where it’s needed.

What IM B12 injections may help with

This is where I’m very clear: B12 is not magic, and I’m not interested in selling miracles.

That said, clinically, IM B12 injections can be helpful for symptoms such as:

• Ongoing fatigue or low energy
• Brain fog and poor concentration
• Low mood or apathy
• Nerve symptoms like tingling or pins and needles
• Reduced exercise tolerance
• That vague but very real feeling of “I just don’t feel like myself”

Most patients don’t describe a sudden buzz or jolt. Instead, they notice steadier energy, clearer thinking and better resilience over time.

And honestly, those are the changes that actually matter.

Why B12 fits in an aesthetic medical clinic

This often surprises people, but aesthetic clinics are actually a very appropriate place to offer B12.

Why?

Because we tend to see patients who are:

• High-functioning but exhausted
• Short on time
• Carrying a lot of stress
• Focused on feeling and looking better, not just avoiding illness

B12 also plays a role in cell turnover and oxygen delivery, so some patients notice additional benefits such as improved skin vitality, hair quality and recovery from treatments.

No — it’s not a substitute for sleep, nutrition or good skincare. But it can absolutely support them.

What the injection is like

Let’s take the mystery out of it.

• It’s a small intramuscular injection, usually into the upper arm or glute
• It takes seconds
• Most people describe it as mildly uncomfortable at worst
• You can go straight back to your day afterwards

Side effects are uncommon. Occasionally there’s some local soreness or a mild headache, both of which usually settle quickly.

And no — you won’t feel jittery or “wired”. If that happens, something else is going on.

How often do you need B12?

This depends entirely on the individual.

Some people benefit from an initial course followed by maintenance injections. Others do well with occasional top-ups during periods of stress, burnout or heavy training.

This is why B12 should be treated as a medical treatment — not a pick-and-mix menu item.

We assess, we advise, and we tailor it properly.

Revolutionary, I know.

A quick word on safety

Vitamin B12 injections have been used in medical practice for decades and have an excellent safety record when prescribed appropriately.

Because B12 is water-soluble, excess amounts are excreted rather than stored. That said, more isn’t always better — and anyone offering unlimited “energy shots” without proper screening should probably raise a red flag.