Experts Say Hyperbaric Oxygen Chambers are “Anarchy”
Midjourney
The Trend: Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is increasingly a major part of the wellness status quo. This $4 billion-dollar market has attracted biohackers and celebrities, who tout benefits like reduced stress and anxiety, better skin, more energy, and improved focus to their followings. FDA-approved to treat 13 conditions but marketed off-label to treat dozens more, it’s important to understand that there isn’t sufficient science to back up those claims.
What People are Saying: Wellness trends are increasingly expensive, invasive, and, in some cases, dangerous (just earlier this year, a little boy died in a HBOT chamber). That’s the expert consensus on HBOT, which the executive director of the professional organization Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society (UHMS) calls “absolute anarchy and chaos.” Proponents largely fall into the new-agey wellness camp, with advocates like podcaster Joe Rogan saying HBOT is “phenomenal for everything” (without evidence to back it up).
What to Know: Providers who are not board-certified for HBOT are often operating under conditions that “lack critical safety measures,” Dr. Shai Efrati, a prominent provider in the field, tells Fortune. While research on HBOT shows promise, it’s critical to deeply vet providers and consult your healthcare team before pursuing the treatment. Always ask to see certifications and licenses.
