If you’re dealing with Long COVID and struggling to find relief, you may have heard about hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) as a potential option. You step into a chamber, lie back, and breathe in 100% oxygen at higher-than-normal air pressure. It sounds futuristic, but it’s a real therapy that’s already used for wounds, carbon monoxide poisoning, and diving accidents. Now, researchers are exploring whether it could help people like you recover from the lingering, life-altering effects of Long COVID.*

What HBOT Does for Your Body

When you’re dealing with Long COVID, your body may be starved for oxygen—especially your muscles. HBOT floods your body with oxygen, and under higher pressure, it helps that oxygen go deeper into your tissues. This could help counteract what researchers believe is a central issue in Long COVID: your cells’ impaired ability to use oxygen efficiently.

Think of it this way—your muscles are engines, but without enough fuel (oxygen), they sputter. HBOT might be the refuel you need.

Some possible benefits of HBOT include:

• Reduced fatigue by restoring energy metabolism
• Improved sleep and heart symptoms, as seen in patient reports
• Lower inflammation through improved mitochondrial function
• Better blood flow and oxygenation to tissues
• Boosted stem cell activity, which supports overall healing

In one case, a Long COVID patient named John M. said that HBOT helped him sleep better and reduced his heart palpitations. He described being barely able to walk or talk before the therapy started. After several sessions, he experienced significant improvement.

What the Science Shows So Far

You’re probably wondering: does HBOT actually work for Long COVID? While research is still early, there are some promising findings.

In one of the most rigorous studies so far, 73 Long COVID patients were split into two groups. One received real HBOT (100% oxygen), while the other received a placebo (normal air). Those who got the real treatment saw improvements in:

• Sleep quality
• Energy levels
• Pain symptoms
• Mental clarity and focus

What’s more, those benefits lasted for a full year after treatment ended. A follow-up study showed that HBOT also improved heart function in patients with Long COVID-related cardiac strain.

In another smaller study, just 10 sessions led to measurable improvement in fatigue and brain fog. And even more research is underway in places like Sweden and Israel.

Still, it’s not all smooth sailing. Some patients in current trials have reported mild discomfort, such as coughing or chest tightness. It’s unclear whether that’s from the treatment or simply the effort of participating while already sick.

What You Need to Know Before Trying It

Here’s the reality: HBOT for Long COVID is still experimental. That means it’s not covered by insurance, and it’s expensive—up to $60,000 for a full course of treatment. Even though some patients see results after 10 sessions, others might need 40 or more.

Doctors don’t yet know:

• How many sessions are ideal
• Which Long COVID symptoms respond best
• Whether the benefits are long-term for most patients
• How to customize treatment for each person

That said, many experts believe HBOT could be part of a broader recovery strategy. It’s not a silver bullet, but it might be a powerful support to rehab, nutrition, and gradual exercise.

As Dr. Wainwright explains, HBOT may be best seen as a tool within a toolkit, one that might work better when combined with other therapies.

The Bottom Line

If you’re exploring options to treat Long COVID, HBOT may be worth looking into, but go in with your eyes open. The therapy shows potential in easing fatigue, brain fog, and other symptoms, but it’s expensive, not guaranteed, and still under study.

Right now, HBOT is not a mainstream treatment, but ongoing research may change that. If future studies confirm its effectiveness, it could become a valuable way to support your recovery and improve your quality of life.

If you’re considering HBOT, talk with your doctor or a specialist in Long COVID care. You deserve clear information and a plan tailored to your specific needs.

* Yale Medicine (October, 2014). Does Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) Help Treat Long COVID?

 https://www.yalemedicine.org/news/does-hyperbaric-oxygen-therapy-hbot-help-treat-long-covid