An oxygen bar is a commercial establishment offering patrons the opportunity to inhale concentrated oxygen for recreational purposes, distinct from medical therapy. These venues, often found in high-traffic areas like casinos, malls, or spas, market themselves as a way to temporarily enhance well-being and energy levels. The experience involves breathing purified air that contains a higher percentage of oxygen than the atmosphere. This non-medical service has grown in popularity.
The Oxygen Bar Experience and Delivery
A visit to an oxygen bar typically begins in a relaxed, often spa-like setting with comfortable seating. The centerpiece is an oxygen concentrator, a device that draws in ambient air and filters out other gases, delivering an enriched oxygen product. Patrons inhale this concentrated air through a nasal cannula, a lightweight tube resting inside the nostrils.
The oxygen delivered usually ranges from 90% to 95% purity, compared to the 21% concentration naturally found in the air we breathe. To enhance the experience, the oxygen stream is often bubbled through water infused with essential oils or food-grade aromatic solutions, offering scents like peppermint, lavender, or citrus. Sessions are generally brief, lasting anywhere from five to 30 minutes.
Claims of Efficacy Versus Scientific Evidence
Proponents of oxygen bars frequently suggest that inhaling concentrated oxygen can provide a variety of benefits, including increased energy, improved concentration, headache relief, and a reduction in stress or hangover symptoms. The underlying theory is that the body is somehow oxygen-deprived and needs the supplemental intake to function optimally. However, scientific evidence does not support these claimed effects for healthy individuals.
When a healthy person breathes normal air, the hemoglobin in their red blood cells is already nearly fully saturated with oxygen, typically between 95% and 99%. Introducing a higher concentration of oxygen for a short period does not allow the blood to absorb significantly more, as the body’s transport system is already operating at maximum capacity. Essentially, the blood cannot load any more oxygen onto the red blood cells. Any positive effects reported by users, such as feeling more alert or relaxed, are likely attributable to the calming environment, the effects of the chosen aromatherapy, or a powerful placebo effect.
Safety Profile and Regulatory Status
For most healthy people, short sessions at an oxygen bar are generally considered to carry a low risk of harm. However, there are significant safety concerns for certain populations, particularly those with underlying medical conditions. Individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or other respiratory issues should avoid oxygen bars, as high concentrations of oxygen can interfere with their natural respiratory drive and cause breathing problems.
Furthermore, the inhalation of certain oil-based scents used for flavoring can potentially lead to a rare but serious lung inflammation called lipoid pneumonia. The oxygen used at these bars is not medical-grade and is often generated by non-medical concentrators. The establishments are not regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) because they are not marketed as a medical treatment or device. Despite oxygen being classified as a prescription drug when intended for human administration, the FDA generally applies regulatory discretion, allowing state and local authorities to address the dispensing of recreational oxygen.