Extracorporeal Blood Oxygenation and Ozonation (EBOO) is a therapeutic procedure that treats a patient’s blood outside the body. It is considered an alternative or complementary medicine approach, distinct from conventional treatments. EBOO is sometimes called “ozone dialysis” because it uses equipment similar to kidney dialysis to process blood. Proponents suggest its benefits range from detoxification to immune system support, leading to its growing use in wellness and integrative medicine clinics.
The Extracorporeal Procedure
The EBOO procedure uses a specialized, closed-loop system that circulates the patient’s blood outside the body, similar to hemodialysis. The process begins by inserting two intravenous lines, typically in the arms: one for drawing blood and one for returning the treated blood. A pump continuously draws blood at a controlled rate, often 20 to 50 milliliters per minute.
Before the blood enters the external circuit, an anticoagulant, such as heparin, is introduced to prevent clotting. The blood then passes through a dedicated filter or contactor, exposing it to a mixture of medical-grade oxygen and ozone gas. This continuous flow system allows a large volume of blood, potentially 2.5 to 7.5 liters, to be treated during a single session lasting about one hour.
The ozone-treated blood is simultaneously filtered to remove oxidized waste products, cellular debris, and inflammatory proteins. The treated blood is then returned to the patient’s circulation. The entire circuit is sterile and ozone-compatible.
The Core Mechanism of EBOO
The rationale for EBOO centers on the controlled chemical reactivity of medical-grade ozone gas with blood components. When the ozone mixture is introduced, it immediately reacts with polyunsaturated fatty acids and antioxidant molecules. This reaction consumes the ozone and produces new signaling molecules, primarily ozonides and lipid peroxidation products (LOPs).
These LOPs are believed to act as chemical messengers, triggering a beneficial biological response. Practitioners suggest these compounds induce “controlled oxidative stress,” a mild, temporary stress that forces cells to adapt and strengthen their defenses. This adaptation involves activating the Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) pathway, a master regulator of antioxidant genes.
Nrf2 activation increases the production of the body’s own antioxidant enzymes, helping to reduce chronic inflammation. The ozone treatment is also thought to improve red blood cell elasticity and enhance cellular oxygen utilization. This mechanism is posited to modulate the immune system toward a balanced state.
Conditions Targeted by EBOO
EBOO is commonly sought by individuals with chronic, complex health issues that have not responded well to conventional medical interventions. The treatment is frequently applied to conditions characterized by persistent inflammation, immune system dysregulation, or chronic infection. These often include chronic Lyme disease and its various co-infections.
Patients with autoimmune disorders, where the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own tissues, also seek EBOO. The proposed immune-modulating effects aim to rebalance the immune response without resorting to immunosuppressive drugs. Other targeted issues include chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, and symptoms attributed to mold toxicity, where the goal is to enhance detoxification.
The rationale for using EBOO stems from the belief that the therapy’s deep blood purification and immune-supportive effects address underlying systemic dysfunction. By reducing the body’s toxic load and promoting an improved cellular environment, the treatment aims to alleviate symptoms like brain fog, chronic pain, and debilitating fatigue.
Medical Context and Recognition
In the broader medical community, EBOO is positioned as an advanced form of ozone therapy and remains largely outside of mainstream, evidence-based medicine. It is typically offered as a complementary or alternative treatment in private, integrative health clinics. The procedure often carries a high out-of-pocket cost and is generally not covered by medical insurance plans.
A significant limitation is the lack of large-scale, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trials that definitively prove its efficacy and safety. While some preliminary research exists, the evidence base is not robust enough to meet the standards required for approval by major regulatory bodies. For instance, EBOO is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of specific diseases in the United States.
Patients considering EBOO are advised to exercise caution and thoroughly discuss the procedure with their conventional healthcare providers. The procedure requires specialized equipment and trained personnel. Contraindications, such as a deficiency in the enzyme Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase (G6PD), must be screened for before treatment begins.