2024-02-22 05:02:36
Some doctor’s offices, clinics and alternative practitioners offer what is known as interval hypoxia-hyperoxia therapy – IHHT for short. The person being treated alternately breathes in oxygen-poor and oxygen-enriched air through a mask. Ten or more treatments over a period of several weeks are common.
IHHT is said to alleviate a whole range of complaints and help with various diseases. We researched whether this is actually true.
Questionable effect on memory, heart and circulation
We only found studies examining the effectiveness of IHHT for two health problems: memory problems in older people [Quellen 1,2] and high blood pressure in those with high cardiovascular risk [Quellen 3-5]. This compared interval hypoxia-hyperoxia therapy with sham treatment.
However, the studies cannot answer whether IHHT helps with these health problems. On the one hand, the studies have serious deficiencies (see section “The studies in detail”). They also come to contradictory results.
The extent to which IHHT helps with other chronic health problems also remains unclear. Because this has never been researched in meaningful studies.
Dizziness and shortness of breath possible
The studies do not appear to have thoroughly examined side effects. In a study [Quelle 3] However, it is mentioned that participants reported temporary dizziness and shortness of breath after the first treatments. Such complaints can also occur in high mountains, where the air is thinner and contains less oxygen than in the lowlands.
Not comparable to altitude training
IHHT websites often refer to altitude training, which is well known in sports. The air in the mountains is “thinner” than in the lowlands. Therefore, the body absorbs less oxygen. In response, the body produces more red blood cells. These bind oxygen and transport it to the cells in the blood. In this way, athletes can improve the oxygen supply to the muscles and thus their performance by training at high altitudes for days or weeks [Quelle 6].
IHHT, on the other hand, takes place without training – usually while lying down. In contrast to altitude training with only oxygen-poor air, during IHHT you alternately breathe in oxygen-poor and oxygen-rich air. This treatment is therefore not comparable to altitude training in sports.
Advertising with a supposed Nobel Prize
Advertisements about IHHT often refer to the 2019 Nobel Prize in Medicine. If you don’t look closely, you can easily get the impression that the Nobel Prize was awarded for the IHHT. In fact, the recipients of the prize had only discovered how cells respond to changes in oxygen levels in the environment [Quelle 7]. Researchers have never examined the impact of IHHT on health.
Interval hypoxia hyperoxia therapy is offered under various names. It is sometimes also referred to as cell training or mitochondrial training. The name Intermittent Hypoxia-Hyperoxia Therapy is also sometimes used. You usually have to pay for the treatments yourself, as statutory health insurance companies do not cover the costs. Usually 10 to 15 sessions are advertised.
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