Oxygen bars are establishments that offer patrons the opportunity to inhale concentrated oxygen for recreational purposes. These venues, often found in malls, casinos, or wellness centers, provide purified oxygen, typically advertised as 90 to 95 percent pure, compared to the 21 percent found in ambient air. Customers breathe this supplemental oxygen through a nasal cannula for sessions that usually last between 10 and 30 minutes. The central question is whether inhaling this high-purity oxygen actually provides any meaningful health benefit.
The Experience and Reported Claims
The oxygen bar experience is designed to be relaxing, often taking place in a spa-like atmosphere with ambient music. The concentrated oxygen is frequently infused with aromatic scents, such as eucalyptus, lavender, or citrus, to enhance enjoyment. These scents are created by bubbling the oxygen through water mixed with essential oils or food-grade additives.
The establishments and their advocates make numerous claims about the benefits of a session, though these are largely unproven. Common marketing suggests the purified air provides a boost to energy levels, improves concentration, and reduces stress. Other purported effects include relief from headaches and migraines, and assistance in recovering from a hangover. These claims are persuasive to consumers seeking a quick wellness fix, but they represent marketing, not established medical fact.
Scientific Evaluation of Supplemental Oxygen
From a physiological perspective, the extra oxygen offered at these bars is unlikely to provide a measurable benefit for a healthy person at sea level. The air we normally breathe already saturates the hemoglobin in our red blood cells with oxygen to a level of 95 to 99 percent efficiency. This means the blood is nearly fully loaded with oxygen before any supplemental concentration is introduced.
The relationship between inhaled oxygen and absorption is described by the oxygen-hemoglobin dissociation curve. For a healthy individual, increasing the inhaled oxygen concentration from 21 percent to 95 percent does not significantly raise the blood’s oxygen saturation level beyond its near-maximal capacity. The body simply cannot bind much more oxygen to the hemoglobin molecules, meaning a healthy person cannot become “more oxygenated” in a meaningful way.
Studies evaluating the claims of oxygen bars have generally found no significant differences in energy levels, relaxation, or stress between participants inhaling concentrated oxygen and those inhaling regular compressed air. Any positive feelings of alertness or well-being reported by users are considered a result of the placebo effect. These perceived effects are likely tied to the relaxing environment and the expectation of feeling better, rather than a true physiological change.
Safety Considerations and Who Should Avoid Them
For most healthy adults, a short, infrequent session at an oxygen bar is considered low-risk. However, these establishments are not regulated by agencies like the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), as the oxygen is sold for recreational use rather than medical treatment. This lack of oversight means the purity and delivery of the oxygen and scents are not guaranteed.
There is a remote risk associated with the aromatic scents, particularly if the oxygen is bubbled through essential oils. Inhaling oil droplets can potentially lead to lipoid pneumonia, a rare but serious inflammation of the lungs. Furthermore, the high concentration of oxygen creates an increased fire hazard because oxygen vigorously supports combustion.
People with pre-existing respiratory conditions must strictly avoid using oxygen bars, as the high oxygen concentration can be actively harmful. Individuals with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), emphysema, or certain types of asthma should not use supplemental oxygen without medical supervision. For some individuals with COPD, high oxygen concentration can suppress their natural respiratory drive, leading to an unsafe buildup of carbon dioxide in the blood, known as carbon dioxide narcosis.