Why This Matters to Us
As longevity enthusiasts, we are always exploring therapies that improve healthspan and support the body's ability to heal and rejuvenate. By supplying tissues with extra oxygen, HBOT has the potential to aid physical recovery and repair. Although this therapy is FDA-approved for a select list of conditions, its broader applications (such as anti-aging or other unapproved uses) require further validation. This makes it essential to understand the safe, effective use of HBOT and avoid misinformation or unsafe practices. Understanding therapies like HBOT keeps us at the forefront of emerging longevity trends while ensuring their safe exploration.
The Detail
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy, or HBOT, is a medical treatment where individuals breathe nearly 100% oxygen inside a chamber with air pressure higher than normal atmospheric levels. Typically, the air we breathe contains only 21% oxygen. In an HBOT session, the increased air pressure enables the lungs to absorb significantly more oxygen than usual, delivering it to tissues and organs throughout the body. This can accelerate healing and improve the body’s ability to fight infections.
The FDA regulates all HBOT devices to ensure that treatments are safe and effective. As of 2021, the FDA has approved HBOT for specific health conditions, including:
- Carbon monoxide poisoning
- Severe burns
- Decompression sickness (a condition scuba divers face due to rapid changes in pressure)
- Non-healing wounds like diabetic foot ulcers
- Radiation injuries
- Sudden vision or hearing loss caused by reduced blood flow
- Gas gangrene (a life-threatening infection caused by bacteria)
While the FDA acknowledges the value of HBOT for these medical conditions, it warns against claims that HBOT can cure or improve conditions like autism, Alzheimer’s, cancer, or Lyme disease. At present, no evidence supports these broader applications, meaning such claims are misleading. For any treatments involving HBOT, the FDA strongly recommends consulting accredited and experienced healthcare providers. You can read more about the FDA's guidelines here.
What Are the Risks?
When appropriately used for FDA-approved conditions, HBOT is generally considered safe, with serious side effects being rare. However, the unique environment of an HBOT chamber (high oxygen levels and increased pressure) comes with risks. Common side effects include:
- Ear and sinus pain due to pressurisation changes
- Temporary vision changes, such as difficulty focusing properly during and after therapy
- Middle ear injuries, which can include ruptured eardrums
- Rare but serious complications like lung collapse (caused by the pressure affecting the lungs)
High concentrations of oxygen also present a fire hazard. For this reason, HBOT should always be conducted in accredited facilities with proper safety measures in place. The FDA has recorded incidents of fires and suffocation caused by unregulated or homemade HBOT devices. For instance, some individuals have used zippered bags connected to oxygen tanks — configurations not cleared for HBOT use — creating dangerous situations.
Potential for Broader Applications
While HBOT is being studied for other uses, including COVID-19 and even anti-aging, the research is still preliminary. Just because something is under study does not mean it is safe or effective. Clinical trials listed on ClinicalTrials.gov may eventually provide more insights into HBOT’s potential for these broader applications, but for now, its approved uses remain limited.
Accredited Centres Are Essential
If a healthcare provider recommends HBOT for an approved condition, it’s crucial to ensure the therapy is performed at a certified facility. Organisations like the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society (UHMS) inspect and certify facilities to ensure they are meeting safety and treatment standards. Avoid seeking HBOT at non-certified clinics or through devices without FDA approval.
Closing Thoughts
HBOT's ability to deliver high doses of oxygen to tissues has proven life-saving for a variety of medical conditions. However, the therapy is not a one-size-fits-all solution, and its risks must be considered carefully. By sticking to FDA-approved uses and certified facilities, you can safely explore this therapy's benefits. Claims that HBOT can cure unrelated conditions such as autism or Alzheimer’s are scientifically unsupported at this time and could lead to people spending money on ineffective or unsafe treatments. Longevity enthusiasts should approach HBOT with curiosity, but always grounded in science and safety protocols.