Celebrities like Bieber and Bialik are using hyperbaric oxygen therapy: Why it’s trending

Public figures including recording artist Justin Bieber and former game show host “Jeopardy!”, actress and author Mayim Bialik have helped bring hyperbaric oxygen therapy to the public eye, highlighting the therapy’s potential health benefits.

Bieber chose the therapy to treat her anxiety and stress, he announced on YouTube’s “Justin Bieber: Seasons,” while Bialik has publicly said she is trying the therapy in hopes of relieving her inflammation and autoimmune issues.

According to the Hyperbaric Oxygen Institute in Irvine, California, Olympic athletes such as Michael Phelps and Lindsey Vonn have also used the therapy to “gain a competitive edge.”

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Is hyperbaric oxygen therapy a ‘game changer’ for the public, even outside the medical world?

Here’s what you need to know.

Justin Bieber is one of the celebrities who has publicly said that they have tried hyperbaric oxygen therapy for specific health reasons. (Kevin Mazur/MG21/Getty Images for the Met Museum/Vogue)

What is hyperbaric oxygen therapy?

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is not new to medical professionals.

According to the Mayo Clinic, it’s a proven treatment for decompression sickness, a potential risk when diving.

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Other conditions that can be treated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy include serious infections, air bubbles in the blood vessels and non-healing wounds caused by diabetes, the same source said.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy involves breathing pure oxygen in a high-pressure environment.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy helps against decompression sickness, a risk that occurs during diving. (iStock)

According to the Mayo Clinic, in a hyperbaric oxygen therapy chamber, the air pressure is increased to two to three times the normal air pressure.

Under these conditions, a person’s lungs can absorb much more oxygen than if he were to breathe pure oxygen at normal air pressure, the same source said.

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“Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is used for a variety of conditions and ailments,” says Alexa Mieses Malchuk, MD, MPH, a family physician at One Medical in Cary, North Carolina.

“It works by delivering oxygen at high pressure, which increases the concentration of oxygen delivered to the body.”

She also noted that the treatment can be used in serious medical situations.

Mayim Bialik says she uses hyperbaric oxygen therapy to improve her health. (Leon Bennett/Getty Images)

“The most evidence exists for the treatment of severe carbon monoxide poisoning or hydrogen peroxide exposure, air embolism, and decompression sickness — 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 use at your bank’s drive-thru,” the University of Kansas Health System says on its website.

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In the chamber, a person breathes almost 100% oxygen, while the pressure is higher than at sea level, the same source said.

“Under pressure, oxygen behaves like a drug with specific indications and side effects,” says Steven M. Orr, MD, director of the division of wound care and hyperbaric medicine at The University of Kansas Health System, on the organization’s website.

In the hyperbaric oxygen therapy chamber, a person can breathe almost 100% oxygen. (iStock)

The doctor also said that hyperbaric oxygen “heals wounds that require higher levels of oxygen than patients can generate themselves.”

Why does this treatment attract the attention of celebrities?

Obsessions with finding the “holy grail” of good health are driving interest in all sorts of treatments, from celebrities and curious Americans who know their way around health.

“In this day and age, people have become obsessed with biohacking and wellness,” said Malchuk of One Medical in North Carolina. “People are exploring things outside the realm of conventional medicine to not only stay healthy, but to stay ahead of the curve.”

As for hyperbaric therapy specifically, Malchuk told Fox News Digital that “some people also use it to speed up the healing process or improve athletic performance.”

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a treatment that has attracted the attention of celebrities who care about their health. (Getty Images; iStock)

But now that the hype surrounding hyperbaric oxygen is increasing, expectations must be kept in check, she says.

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“Hyperbaric therapy is a treatment option that has strong evidence for certain conditions, but mixed or no evidence at all for other conditions,” Malchuk said.

“That’s why it’s so important to talk to your GP. He or she will know 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 come with some rare but serious risks.

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Examples include pressure injuries to the sinuses, middle ear and lungs, oxygen toxicity, reversible changes in vision, seizures and decompression sickness.

Always consult a medical professional first

The most common complication after treatment is trauma to the middle ear, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine in Baltimore.

Justin Bieber is using hyperbaric oxygen therapy to improve his health, he told his social media followers. (iStock; Getty Images)

Other possible complications include eye damage, collapsed lung, low blood sugar, and sinus problems.

In severe and rare cases, a person can develop oxygen toxicity, the same source said.

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Before entering a hyperbaric oxygen treatment chamber, you should weigh the potential risks and benefits.

“Anyone considering hyperbaric oxygen treatment should absolutely consult their primary care physician first,” Malchuk stressed.

“This is especially true for people with any medical condition, but especially those with lung problems, claustrophobia, or sinus or ear problems,” she added.