Celebrities such as recording artist Justin Bieber and former “Jeopardy!” host, actress and author Mayim Bialik have helped spread the word about hyperbaric oxygen therapy by promoting the therapy's potential health benefits.
Bieber turned to therapy to deal with anxiety and stress, he announced on YouTube's “Justin Bieber: Seasons,” while Bialik has said publicly she is trying the therapy in hopes of easing her inflammation and autoimmune issues.
Olympic athletes such as Michael Phelps and Lindsey Vonn have also used the therapy to “seek a competitive edge,” according to the Irvine, California-based Hyperbaric Oxygen Institute.
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Is hyperbaric oxygen therapy a game changer for the public beyond medical use?
Here's what you need to know.
Justin Bieber is one of the celebrities who has publicly said that he has tried hyperbaric oxygen therapy for specific health reasons. (Kevin Mazur/MG21/Getty Images for the Metropolitan Museum/Vogue)
What is hyperbaric oxygen therapy?
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is not new to medical professionals.
It's a well-established treatment for decompression sickness, which is a potential risk of diving, according to the Mayo Clinic.
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Other conditions treated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy include serious infections, air bubbles in blood vessels and non-healing wounds caused by diabetes, the source said.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy involves breathing pure oxygen in a pressurized environment.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy helps with decompression sickness, which is a risk when diving. (iStock)
In a hyperbaric oxygen therapy chamber, air pressure is increased two to three times higher than normal air pressure, the Mayo Clinic said.
Under these conditions, a person's lungs can absorb much more oxygen than would be possible if they were breathing pure oxygen at normal atmospheric pressure, the source said.
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“Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is used for a variety of conditions and ailments,” said Alexa Mieses Malchuk, MD, MPH, a family physician at One Medical in Cary, North Carolina.
“It works by providing oxygen at high pressure, thereby increasing the concentration of oxygen delivered to the body.”
He also noted that the treatment can be used in aggravated medical situations.
Mayim Bialik has said she has used hyperbaric oxygen therapy to improve her health. (Leon Bennett/Getty Images)
“The most evidence exists for treatment of significant carbon monoxide poisoning or hydrogen peroxide exposure, air embolism and decompression sickness, potentially life-threatening complications of diving,” Malchuk said.
How can oxygen heal?
A hyperbaric oxygen chamber “is a pressurized tube that looks like a larger version of one of the cylinders you would use at your bank's drive-thru,” the University of Kansas Health System says on its website.
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Inside the chamber, a person breathes almost 100% oxygen while experiencing pressure greater than sea level, the same source said.
“When under pressure, oxygen behaves like a drug with specific indications and side effects,” said Dr. Steven M. Orr, director of wound care and hyperbaric medicine services at the University of Kansas Health System on the organization's website.
The hyperbaric oxygen therapy chamber allows a person to breathe almost 100% oxygen. (iStock)
The doctor also explained that hyperbaric oxygen “heals wounds that require a higher level of oxygen than patients are able to generate on their own.”
Why is the treatment attracting the attention of celebrities?
The obsession with finding the “holy grail” of good health is spurring interest in all sorts of treatments. Interest is coming from both celebrities and curious, health-savvy Americans.
“Humans are now obsessed with biohacking and wellness,” said Malchuk, of One Medical in North Carolina. “People are researching things that go beyond the realm of conventional medicine, not only to stay healthy, but to stay ahead of the curve.”
Regarding hyperbaric therapy specifically, Malchuk told Fox News Digital that “some people also use it with the intention of speeding up healing or improving athletic performance.”
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a treatment that is attracting the attention of health-loving celebrities. (Getty Images; iStock)
However, as hype around hyperbaric oxygen grows, he said expectations need to be kept in check.
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“Hyperbaric therapy is a treatment option that has strong evidence supporting it for certain conditions, but mixed or no evidence supporting it for others,” Malchuk said.
“That's why it's so important to talk to your family doctor, who knows your specific medical and personal history and can give you the best advice on whether this treatment is right for you.”
Is hyperbaric oxygen safe?
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is relatively safe, Malchuk said, but it does carry some rare but serious risks.
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These may include pressure trauma to the sinuses, middle ear, and lungs; oxygen toxicity; reversible vision changes; seizures; and decompression sickness.
Always consult with a medical professional first.
The most common complication after therapy is trauma to the middle ear, Johns Hopkins Medicine in Baltimore noted.
Justin Bieber has used hyperbaric oxygen therapy to improve his health, he has told his followers on social media. (iStock; Getty Images)
Other possible complications may include eye damage, collapsed lung, low blood sugar, and sinus problems.
In rare and severe circumstances, a person can suffer from oxygen poisoning, the source said.
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Before entering a hyperbaric oxygen treatment chamber, evaluate the potential risks and benefits.
“Anyone considering hyperbaric oxygen treatment should first consult with their family physician,” Malchuk said.
“This is especially true for people with any type of medical condition, but especially for patients who have lung problems, claustrophobia, or sinus or ear problems,” he added.
