Hyperbaric oxygen therapy involves breathing pure oxygen inside a pressurised chamber, which increases the amount of oxygen your blood can carry and deliver to tissues. It has a long history as a genuine medical treatment for specific, serious conditions.
Strong, well-established medical evidence supports specific approved uses, including decompression sickness, carbon monoxide poisoning, non-healing wounds (particularly in diabetes), and radiation injury. Evidence for general wellness, cognitive enhancement or anti-ageing use in otherwise healthy people is far weaker and not established in the same way.
Barotrauma to the ears and sinuses from pressure changes, rare oxygen toxicity affecting the lungs or nervous system at high pressures, and fire risk in improperly maintained or unregulated chambers.
Untreated pneumothorax (collapsed lung) is an absolute contraindication. Caution is needed with certain lung conditions, ear problems, and some medications. If you are considering hyperbaric oxygen for a wellness purpose rather than an approved medical indication, discuss the evidence for your specific goal with a doctor first.
Medical use for an approved indication is often covered through the health service; wellness use at private clinics is paid per session and can be costly over a course.
NHS and Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society approved indications for hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Educational information only.