EWOT Dangers - Is EWOT Dangerous?

Exercise with Oxygen Therapy or EWOT, in short, as you may know, involves inhaling higher concentrations of oxygen while exercising. This powerful exercise–oxygen combo helps you level up your workouts, improve your cardiovascular health, fight fatigue, promote relaxation, focus more, and sleep better.

Now, you might be wondering about the safety of EWOT.

When done properly and for a maximum duration of 15 minutes, EWOT poses no risks or side effects. It's a safe and effective way to enhance your fitness and overall health.

However, we recommend you consult your physician before incorporating EWOT into your exercise routine, especially if you have any underlying medical conditions.

Is Oxygen Toxic?

No. Oxygen is not toxic.

You might have heard the phrase “too much of a good thing.” But have you ever thought it applies to even oxygen, our life-sustaining element?

When we breathe the ambient air (with 21% oxygen), there is no chance of oxygen toxicity, no matter how much air we inhale and exhale. Higher oxygen concentrations are used in certain medical conditions; too much oxygen can lead to a condition called oxygen toxicity.

What is Oxygen Toxicity?

Oxygen Toxicity, as the name implies, refers to the lung damage caused by inhaling too much oxygen, which can lead to coughing and difficulty breathing.

What Happens When You Inhale Too Much Oxygen?

When you breathe in the ambient air, oxygen enters your lungs and moves into your bloodstream. This oxygen is then transported to all body parts, ensuring that your cells, tissues, and organs function properly. Too much supplemental oxygen can damage your lung tissues. It can cause the alveoli (tiny air sacs in the lungs) to fill with fluid or even collapse, making it difficult for your lungs to take in air efficiently and deliver oxygen to your blood.

What Causes Oxygen Toxicity?

Oxygen toxicity generally happens when:

A person is exposed to very high oxygen concentrations at increased partial pressures for short periods.

E.g.: Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT)

HBOT involves inhaling pure oxygen in a pressurized chamber. In HBOT, oxygen is delivered at a higher pressure (2-3 atm) than the pressure of the ambient air we breathe (1 atm). As the lungs take in 100% pure oxygen during HBOT, it may be too much for the lungs to handle. Prolonged exposure to higher oxygen levels could cause chest pain, difficulty breathing, and other issues.

OR

A person is exposed to lower concentrations of oxygen for longer periods.

Oxygen therapy is typically prescribed for persons with respiratory issues. The oxygen is sourced from either oxygen concentrators or tanks. The probability of them overdosing on pure oxygen is high. In medical settings, patients receiving supplemental oxygen are consistently monitored by healthcare practitioners to prevent oxygen toxicity.

However, patients receiving supplemental oxygen at home are at a higher risk of oxygen toxicity, as their oxygen levels are not monitored by healthcare professionals on a daily basis. For instance, patients who receive 100% pure oxygen (at normal atmospheric pressure) for 8-12 hours are at a higher risk of oxygen toxicity.

Note: It is important to understand that while traditional oxygen therapy is a life-saving therapeutic treatment for lung conditions, Exercise with Oxygen Therapy (EWOT) is a distinct approach focused on improving fitness.

Simply put, oxygen toxicity depends on

• Partial pressure of oxygen
• Oxygen concentration
• Duration of oxygen exposure

Does EWOT Cause Oxygen Toxicity?

Oxygen toxicity – a concern with EWOT? We’ll break it down and see if it’s a real concern!

In short, EWOT does not cause Oxygen Toxicity.

Well, let me explain why.

According to underwater research conducted by the British military in 1947, oxygen toxicity occurs at a very high partial pressure of oxygen. In other words, when a person inhales super-concentrated oxygen (around 18 times the normal concentration of oxygen), it can cause oxygen toxicity. But this is only possible with military-grade equipment or deep diving procedures.

In other words, oxygen toxicity happens when the partial pressure of oxygen is around 18 atmospheres or if you inhale oxygen underwater at 538 feet, which is extremely rare in everyday situations.

Dr. Manfred von Ardenne's extensive research, focused on Exercise with Oxygen Therapy (EWOT), has shown that the amount of oxygen received during the 15-minute procedure, the partial pressure, and the concentration of the oxygen are well within the safe limits to avoid any chance of oxygen toxicity in anyone using the EWOT correctly.

Having said that, we recommend consulting your doctor before trying EWOT if you:

• Have a pre-existing medical condition such as heart disease, high blood pressure, lung-respiratory issues like COPD, or uncontrolled seizures.
• Are pregnant or lactating
• Are new to exercise or haven’t exercised in a long time, as sudden variations in physical activity levels may lead to side effects.

 

Takeaway

Want to take your workouts to the next level with Exercise with Oxygen Therapy (EWOT)? Rest assured, when done correctly, EWOT is a game changer that can help you reach your fitness and wellness goals. Talk to your doctor to check if EWOT fits safely into your fitness routine, especially if you have existing health conditions.