Hyperbaric chambers / What is HBOT
What is hyperbaric oxygen therapy?
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) means breathing oxygen at higher than normal air pressure. Here's how it works, what it's proven for, and how home chambers differ from the clinic.
How it works
At higher pressure, more oxygen dissolves directly into your blood plasma, not just onto red blood cells. That extra oxygen can reach tissue that's poorly supplied, which is why HBOT helps wounds heal and counteracts carbon monoxide poisoning. In a clinic, you breathe near-100% oxygen at 2.0-3.0 ATA for 60-120 minutes.
What the FDA recognizes
The FDA has cleared hyperbaric chambers for 13 conditions, including decompression sickness, carbon monoxide poisoning, gas embolism, non-healing diabetic foot ulcers, certain severe infections, radiation tissue injury, thermal burns and sudden hearing loss. These are treated in clinics under medical supervision.
What's off-label
Autism, Lyme disease, traumatic brain injury, long COVID, anti-aging, athletic recovery and general wellness are not on that list. Some have early research (traumatic brain injury and long COVID in particular), but the evidence is preliminary and the FDA has warned about misleading claims. If a seller tells you a chamber treats a condition that isn't on the cleared list, treat that as marketing.
Home soft chambers vs clinical hard chambers
| Home soft chamber | Clinical hard chamber | |
|---|---|---|
| Pressure | 1.3-1.5 ATA | 2.0-3.0 ATA |
| Gas | Room air or concentrator (up to about 95% O2 via mask) | Near-100% oxygen |
| FDA status | Cleared for acute mountain sickness only; prescription device | Cleared for 13 conditions |
| Price | $4,000-$15,000 | $35,000+ or per-session at a clinic |
| Supervision | You, at home | Trained staff |
Safety
- Fire. Oxygen-rich environments are a fire risk. No electronics, no petroleum products, nothing that sparks.
- Ears and sinuses. Pressure changes can hurt; you equalize like on a plane. Don't use with a cold or congestion.
- Contraindications. Untreated pneumothorax (collapsed lung) is an absolute no. Certain medications, lung disease and recent ear surgery also matter.
- Prescription. Get one, and get a doctor to tell you a pressure and schedule.
General education, not medical advice.
Comparing chambers? See home chambers compared.