Health
Celebrities like Bieber, Bialik are using hyperbaric oxygen therapy: Here’s why it’s trending
Celebrities including performing artist Justin Bieber and former “Jeopardy!” game-show host, actress and author Mayim Bialik have helped bring the practice of hyperbaric oxygen therapy into mainstream awareness as they tout the therapy’s potential health benefits.
Bieber turned to the therapy to assist in treating anxiety and stress, he announced in “Justin Bieber: Seasons” on YouTube, while Bialik has said publicly she’s trying the therapy in hopes of alleviating her inflammation and autoimmune issues.
Olympic athletes such as Michael Phelps and Lindsey Vonn have also used the therapy to “seek a competitive edge,” according to the Hyperbaric Oxygen Institute based in Irvine, California.
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Is hyperbaric oxygen therapy a game-changer for the public beyond medical use?
Here’s what you should know.
Justin Bieber is one of the celebrities who have said publicly that they’ve 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.
It’s a well-established treatment for decompression sickness, which is a potential risk of scuba diving, according to the Mayo Clinic.
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Other conditions treated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy include serious infections, bubbles of air in blood vessels and non-healing wounds caused by diabetes, the same source noted.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy involves breathing pure oxygen in a pressurized environment.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy helps with decompression sickness, which is a risk taken when scuba diving. (iStock)
In a hyperbaric oxygen therapy chamber, the air pressure is increased to two to three times higher than normal air pressure, the Mayo Clinic said.
Under these conditions, a person’s lungs can gather much more oxygen than would be possible if breathing pure oxygen at normal air pressure, the same source cited.
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“Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is used for a variety of conditions and ailments,” said Alexa Mieses Malchuk, M.D., MPH, a family physician with One Medical in Cary, North Carolina.
“It works by providing oxygen at high pressure, thus increasing the concentration of oxygen delivered to the body.”
She also noted the treatment can be used in heightened medical situations.
Mayim Bialik has said she’s used hyperbaric oxygen therapy to help with her health. (Leon Bennett/Getty Images)
“The most evidence exists for treatment for significant carbon monoxide poisoning or hydrogen peroxide exposure, air embolism and decompression sickness — life-threatening complications of scuba 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’d use at the drive-thru of your bank,” The University of Kansas Health System says on its website.
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Inside the chamber, a person breathes nearly 100% oxygen while experiencing pressure greater than sea level, the same source said.
“When under pressure, oxygen behaves like a drug with specific indications and side effects,” said Steven M. Orr, M.D., director of wound care and hyperbaric medicine services at The University of Kansas Health System on the organization’s website.
The hyperbaric oxygen therapy chamber allows a person to breathe nearly 100% oxygen. (iStock)
The doctor also said that hyperbaric oxygen “heals wounds that require a higher oxygen level than patients are able to generate themselves.”
Why is the treatment catching celebrity eyes?
Obsessions with finding the “holy grail” of good health are spurring an interest in all types of treatments. The interest is coming from celebrities as well as curious Americans who are health savvy.
“In this day and age, humans have become obsessed with biohacking and wellness,” said Malchuk with One Medical in North Carolina. “People are investigating things outside the realm of conventional medicine to not only stay healthy but to stay ahead.”
Regarding hyperbaric therapy specifically, Malchuk told Fox News Digital that “some folks also use it with the intention of speeding up healing or enhancing athletic performance.”
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a treatment catching the eye of celebrities who are health savvy. (Getty Images; iStock)
Yet as the hype spreads regarding hyperbaric oxygen, she said that expectations need to be kept in check.
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“Hyperbaric therapy is a treatment option with strong evidence behind it for certain conditions — but mixed or no evidence behind it for other conditions,” reported Malchuk.
“That’s why it’s so important to talk with your family medicine physician who knows your specific medical and personal history and can give you the best advice about whether this treatment is right for you.”
Is hyperbaric oxygen safe?
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is relatively safe, said Malchuk, but it does come with some rare but serious risks.
These may include pressure trauma to the sinuses, middle ear and lung; oxygen toxicity; reversible vision changes; seizures; and decompression sickness.
Always consult first with a medical professional
The most common complication after the therapy is trauma to the middle ear, noted Johns Hopkins Medicine in Baltimore.
Justin Bieber has used hyperbaric oxygen therapy to help with his health, he’s told his followers on social media. (iStock; Getty Images)
Other possible complications can include eye damage, lung collapse, low blood sugar and sinus problems.
In severe and rare circumstances, a person can get oxygen poisoning, the same source said.
Before jumping into a hyperbaric oxygen treatment chamber, weigh the possible risks and benefits.
“Anyone considering hyperbaric oxygen treatment should absolutely consult with their family physician first,” Malchuk emphasized.
“This is especially true for folks with any sort of medical condition, but especially patients who have lung issues, claustrophobia or sinus or ear issues,” she added.
New flu strain emerging as a severe health threat
Fox News senior medical analyst Dr. Marc Siegel joins ‘America’s Newsroom’ to warn of a new strain of the flu that is spiking hospitalizations across the country and newfound risks of medical marijuana’s link to psychosis.
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The New York State Department of Health reported a record surge in influenza activity, with 71,123 positive flu cases recorded statewide during the week ending December 20.
Health officials said the figure represents the highest number of flu cases ever reported in a single week since influenza became a reportable disease in New York in 2004.
State health data show the weekly total reflects a 38% increase from the previous reporting period, signaling a rapidly intensifying flu season.
There have been 189,312 reported positive flu cases so far this season, while influenza-related hospitalizations rose 63% in the most recent week.
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New York reported the highest weekly total of cases ever recorded since influenza became reportable in 2004. (iStock)
“We are seeing the highest number of flu cases ever recorded in a single week in New York state,” Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said in a press release.
There have been 189,312 reported flu cases so far this season, with influenza-related hospitalizations increasing 63% in the most recent week. (iStock)
Earlier this month, the department declared influenza prevalent statewide, a designation that requires unvaccinated health care workers to wear masks in patient care settings.
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Health officials continue to emphasize that vaccination remains the most effective way to prevent severe illness and hospitalization from influenza.
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New Yorkers who have not yet received a seasonal flu shot are still encouraged to do so, with experts saying vaccination can offer protection even later in the season.
Health officials continue to urge New Yorkers to take preventive steps, including vaccination and staying home when sick, to limit further spread. (iStock)
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To help limit further spread, the department advises individuals experiencing flu-like symptoms — including fever, cough, sore throat, or body aches — to stay home. State health officials also recommend frequent handwashing, using hand sanitizer, and avoiding close contact with sick individuals.
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For those who become ill, officials say antiviral medications are available and are most effective when started within 48 hours of symptom onset.
Health officials also added that people at higher risk for complications should contact a health care provider promptly for evaluation and possible treatment.
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The department noted that flu activity typically peaks in January, meaning case counts could continue to climb in the weeks ahead.
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If the stress of the holidays wreaked havoc on your gut, you’re not alone — 76% of Americans experience gastrointestinal distress during the holiday season, according to a recent national survey from Oshi Health and YouGov.
Digestive problems can be triggered not only by holiday overeating, but also by stress. Financial worries, disrupted routines, fatigue and interpersonal dynamics rank as some of the top causes.
“I see an uptick in psychiatry-related GI issues during the holiday season,” Dr. Claire Brandon, a gastrointestinal psychiatrist based in New York City, told Fox News Digital. “When you are undergoing stress, your body produces more corticotropin-releasing hormones, which sets off a cascade of the inflammatory system.”
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Stress hormones can act directly on the gut, leading to more digestive distress and pushing the body out of “rest-and-digest mode,” Brandon said.
“Stress activates the sympathetic — fight, flight, freeze — nervous system, which slows digestion,” added Dr. David Clarke, an Oregon-based gastroenterologist and president of the Association for the Treatment of Neuroplastic Symptoms. “That can lead to bloating, cramps, nausea and sometimes abdominal pain.”
Stress often plays a bigger role in digestive issues than overeating alone, experts say. (iStock)
The good news, doctors say, is that a few simple, realistic steps can help reset the digestive system after the holidays.
No. 1: Reset your sleep
Sleep plays a major role in gut health. Research shows that insufficient or disrupted sleep can change the composition and function of the gut microbiome, potentially affecting metabolic and immune factors that influence overall health.
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“When I travel and get derailed, my main focus is to reset my sleep,” Brandon said. She recommends reestablishing wind-down routines like deep breathing and progressive muscle relaxation.
No. 2: Eat balanced, fiber-rich meals
Fiber helps keep digestion moving and supports healthy gut bacteria, which can aid post-holiday recovery, experts say.
“The usual principles for supporting digestion apply here,” said Clarke. “Consuming a balanced diet emphasizing fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes; avoiding highly processed foods; and moderating alcohol will keep your gut microbiome happy.”
Digestive symptoms like bloating and discomfort often spike during the holidays due to stress, travel and disrupted routines. (iStock)
No. 3: Stay hydrated
Staying hydrated will also aid digestion, Clarke said, noting that light-colored urine is a good indicator of hydration.
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Traveling can be particularly tough on the gut, experts say, especially during flights where low cabin humidity causes the body to pull water from the bowels, leading to constipation.
Drinking water before, during, and after flights — and limiting alcohol and caffeine — can help counteract dehydration-related digestive slowdowns. Experts also recommend sipping water consistently throughout the day.
No. 4: Resume regular movement
Both doctors agreed that exercise supports digestion and stress regulation, which are both key to gut recovery.
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“Going on walks can be enough to help with this, but if you have space to do more, including some gentle stretching, that can be a huge help,” Brandon advised.
No. 5: Reduce stress gradually
Stress management plays a critical role in gut health, and experts say that small, consistent habits can help ease gastrointestinal symptoms.
Brandon recommends calming the nervous system with breathing or grounding exercises and slowing down at meals.
Light movement can help support digestion and regulate stress, experts say. (iStock)
“If you’re constantly running on fumes, on a layover in the airport, eating high sugar and doing things off your routine, expect a few disruptions with your gut,” she said. “Reframe it as something that you can reset when you get home.”
No. 6: Skip cleanses and detoxes
Clarke says that detoxes and cleanses are not necessary and can actually be harmful. Instead, he recommends sticking to the basics — including hydration, balanced meals, regular sleep and movement.
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Doctors say the gut is designed to recover on its own in response to consistently healthy practices rather than extreme resets.
Experts recommend returning to balanced, fiber-rich meals instead of intense cleanses. (iStock)
While short-lived symptoms can improve within hours and are usually temporary, experts say lingering or worsening issues shouldn’t be ignored.
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“If you are back home and struggling to feel your usual baseline while back on your routine, it’s probably worth checking in with your physician,” Brandon advised.
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Regular exercise may do more than strengthen the heart. It could also reprogram the nerves that control how the heart beats, new research has found.
The discovery could eventually help doctors better treat common conditions such as irregular heart rhythms, chest pain, angina and stress-related “broken-heart” syndrome, according to scientists at the University of Bristol in the U.K.
The study, which looked at lab rats trained over 10 weeks, found that moderate exercise does not affect the heart’s nerve control system evenly. Instead, it produces distinct and opposing changes on the left and right sides of the body. a split researchers say has gone largely unnoticed until now.
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“The discovery points to a previously hidden left–right pattern in the body’s ‘autopilot’ system that helps run the heart,” Dr. Augusto Coppi, the study’s lead author and a senior lecturer in veterinary anatomy at the University of Bristol, said in a statement.
Regular exercise may “rewire” the nerves that control the heart, the new study found. (iStock)
“This could help explain why some treatments work better on one side than the other and, in the future, help doctors target therapies more precisely and effectively,” Coppi added.
After 10 weeks of aerobic exercise, the researchers examined the animals’ heart control nerves and found left–right differences that did not appear in inactive rats, according to the research published in the journal Autonomic Neuroscience in September.
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On the right side, the nerve hub that sends “go faster” signals to the heart developed many more nerve cells, suggesting increased wiring. On the left side, however, the number of nerve cells did not rise as much. Instead, the existing cells grew significantly larger, indicating a different kind of adaptation.
The findings could help explain why some heart treatments work better on one side than the other. (iStock)
The findings show that exercise reshapes the heart’s nerve control system in a side-specific way rather than affecting both sides equally, the researchers said. Understanding that process could help doctors better target treatments, especially for patients who cannot exercise or whose symptoms persist despite lifestyle changes.
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Researchers compared the nerve clusters, known as the stellate ganglia, to a “dimmer switch” that fine-tunes how strongly the heart is stimulated. That fine-tuning is important because overstimulation of these nerves is linked to chest pain and dangerous heart rhythm problems.
Scientists caution more studies are needed to determine whether the same effects occur in humans. (iStock)
The findings are early stage and based on animal research, however. So, they do not prove the same effects in people. More studies are needed before they could affect patient care.
Researchers say future studies will explore whether similar left–right nerve changes occur in people and whether they could help explain why some heart treatments work better on one side than the other, potentially paving the way for more precise, personalized care for angina and heart rhythm disorders.
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The study was conducted in collaboration with researchers from University College London, the University of São Paulo and the Federal University of São Paulo in Brazil.
Researchers discovered distinct left-right changes in heart-control nerves after 10 weeks of aerobic exercise. (iStock)
The findings add to growing evidence that regular, moderate exercise benefits the heart in ways scientists are beginning to understand better.
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Fox News Digital has reached out to the study authors for comment.
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