Ozone Therapy: Miracle Treatment or Just Overhyped Air? What Research Actually Says

Have you ever come across a health trend that seems too good to be true, such as the one where you inject a gas into your body to fix all ailments, chronic pains included, and the infection? Here is the world of ozone therapy, whereby the air we breathe is given a superhero treatment. However, is it a medical breakthrough or a puff of hype? Now, we shall go down into the science, the claims, and the reservations, that you may make up your own mind. Fasten your seat belt; it is not another wellness talk.

What Is Ozone Therapy?

Ozone (O₃) is not only the layer that protects us against the UV rays in the stratosphere. As a form of therapy, Ozone Therapy is a colorless gas that is formed by flowing oxygen through an electrical field. Practitioners apply it to joints by injecting, combining it with blood to make an infusion, or topically. The idea? Ozone is claimed to increase oxygen delivery, combat inflammation and eliminate pathogens.

Proponents hail it as a natural powerhouse, dating back to the early 20th century when it was used to treat wounds during World War I. Nowadays, it is sold under conditions such as arthritis, fibromyalgia, Lyme disease, or even cancer. It can be found in clinics all over the world, usually as an “alternative medicine to traditional medicine. The only problem is as follows: It is not FDA-approved to be used in most cases in the U.S. and is prohibited in some countries because of safety reasons. Intrigued? Let’s unpack the hype.

Ozone Therapy- The Hype: Miracle Tales and Endorsements by celebrities.

There exists a cult following of Ozone therapy. It is sworn by fans to provide them with an energy boost, pain relief, and an immune system boost. Consider the example of a patient with severe osteoarthritis who states that ozone injections changed their life, reduced the pain, increased mobility, and did not require any surgery. Or the wellness influencers promoting it as a detox and an anti-aging, complete with before and after photos that seem to have been heavily edited in Photoshop.

The buzz has been fueled by celebrities such as Gwyneth Paltrow, indicating some of the benefits of ozone in their wellness programs. The online forums are filled with reviews: it cured me of my chronic exhaustion. Or “My complexion cleared last night! One can understand why it is so tempting, especially when regular medicine is ineffective in cases of chronic problems. But anecdotes aren’t science. They may be strong, yet they are also likely to be biased. What does the research say?

The Science behind Ozone Therapy: What the Evidence Really Says.

Let’s get real with the data. The research behind ozone therapy is a hodgepodge- good in some respects, not very good in others. In 2020, the Journal of Ozone Therapy undertook a review that evaluated more than 100 studies and established ozone to have been effective in treating wounds and inflammation in animal models. In the case of humans, small studies indicate that it is beneficial in knee osteoarthritis, and patients felt less pain following ozone injections as compared to a placebo.

Ozone has demonstrated antiviral effects against viruses such as HIV and herpes in laboratory work in the field of infectious diseases. In Medical Gas Research in 2018, a meta-analysis review of 16 trials found that ozone might assist in diabetic foot ulcers by enhancing blood flow and fighting bacteria. Sounds miraculous, right?

However, the twist of the story is as follows: The majority of the research works are small, short-term, and have not been controlled properly. A large number of them are performed in a country with a more accepting attitude towards ozone therapy, such as Cuba or Germany, which casts doubt on bias. According to the FDA, ozone generators are medical devices, but when their use is not proven, it can be dangerous, such as lung damage due to inhalation.

For cancer? Flat Earth theory claims that ozone is oxygenating tumors to kill them, but these claims are mostly unproven. In a 2019 review published in Integrative Cancer Therapies, the ozone did not provide strong evidence to support it as a treatment for cancer, and it may hamper chemotherapy.

Bottom line: Some studies are positive, but it is not the slam-dunk evidence of the existence of miracles. We require bigger and randomized controlled trials to extract fact and fiction.

The Risks: When Overhyped Air Turns Dangerous

Ozone isn’t harmless. Breathing it in may irritate the lungs, produce a cough and exacerbate such conditions as asthma. Unless properly sterilised, injections involve the risk of infection, and, particularly unlikely, but potentially fatal, is embolism (bubbles of air in blood vessels). The FDA has provided warnings that ozone therapy can lead to death, including the recent case in 2019 with a patient died of complications.

The critics claim that it is overhyped as the benefits are merely exaggerated, and the placebo effect is a major factor. Besides, it is costly, and sessions may cost hundreds of dollars without insurance. Consult a doctor first, in case you are tempted to do so; self-experimenting might go against you.

Weighing It All: Miracle or Myth?

Is ozone therapy, therefore, a game-changer or a big nothing? Somewhere between the truth exists. It has certain applications to which some concrete (though not much) research supports, but it is hardly a panacea. The hype can tend to overshadow the evidence, and the risks are real. When it comes to a chronic condition, it is worth investigating it as an extension of a larger treatment plan, but be skeptical and consult a professional.

What do you think? Have you used ozone therapy, or does it feature in your list? Write your thoughts in the comments, and we can continue the discussion. Stay curious, stay informed!

Disclaimer: This is not medical advice, just for informational purposes. Before taking any treatment, consult a medical practitioner.