I’ve never taken one of those tests that reveal your biological age, but I doubt the results would be flattering. Chronic stress, short nights, and a constantly accelerated pace of life aren’t exactly friends of anti-aging or longevity. My lifestyle isn’t exactly unhealthy—I eat well, exercise, and my only vice is a serious sweet tooth—but I sometimes fall short when it comes to emotional and mental balance.
So when I was invited to try hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) at the new Le Capsule wellness space in Madrid’s Brach Hotel, I didn’t hesitate. After all, the therapy is buzzing in the longevity and biohacking worlds, both of which focus on slowing or counteracting aging through optimized habits and cutting-edge treatments.
What is hyperbaric oxygen therapy?
Despite the current hype, hyperbaric oxygen therapy isn’t new. It originated as a medical treatment for submariners and military personnel during World War I; Madrid’s Gómez Ulla Hospital still houses the Ministry of Defense’s leading Underwater and Hyperbaric Medicine unit. But its recent mainstream appeal comes partly from athletes and celebrities showcasing its benefits—often on Instagram—and partly from our growing fascination with living not only longer, but better.
“There is a growing demand for treatments that focus on longevity, recovery, and peak performance, and hyperbaric oxygen therapy naturally addresses these demands,” explains Ana Jovanovic, spa director at Dubai’s Talise Spa at Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab, which also recently added HBOT to its offerings. “People today are increasingly seeking evidence-based, results-driven therapies beyond holistic spa treatments to optimize health and vitality. Guests often describe leaving the chamber with a profound sense of calm, lightness, and enhanced mental clarity, making it both a rejuvenating and immersive wellness experience. And because the therapy delivers more oxygen to the bloodstream, it supports cellular repair, energy production, and overall vitality.”
What happens in a hyperbaric oxygen therapy session?
Even with my enthusiasm, stepping toward the chamber gave me pause. I knew the science—breathing pure oxygen under pressure increases the amount of oxygen your blood can carry, which promotes healing, reduces inflammation, and boosts cellular energy—and Jovanovic had described the chamber at Talise Spa as “a cocoon-like experience, where guests lie comfortably on a flatbed as the chamber gently pressurizes, producing a mild sensation in the ears similar to ascending in an airplane.” But the chamber itself, which looked like an old tanning bed, was still intimidating. Once sealed, the capsule becomes airtight, meaning you can lie inside but barely move. The idea of not being able to open it myself sparked a brief wave of unease.
A few reassuring words from the therapist eased that instantly. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy isn’t recommended for anyone who is truly claustrophobic, for obvious reasons. However, those without clinical claustrophobia may just need a moment to adjust. In my case, the built-in microphone—a lifeline to the therapist at any moment—was enough to calm me. Ultimately, the experience felt like a nap in a cool, oxygen-rich environment, with none of the panic I’d feared.
“Once the chamber reaches full pressure, guests breathe nearly pure oxygen, creating a deeply restorative environment. Sessions typically last 60 minutes, providing time to nap, meditate, or relax,” Jovanovic explains.
The benefits of hyperbaric oxygen therapy
According to Le Capsule, “oxygen accelerates the body’s healing processes and increases energy production by stimulating ATP generation.” During hyperbaric oxygen therapy, oxygen dissolves not only in the blood but also in the plasma. This allows it to reach compromised tissues more efficiently, reducing inflammation and speeding recovery. The combination of blood- and plasma-based transport enables higher oxygen delivery to areas that need it most.Hyperbaric oxygen therapy increases oxygen saturation, especially in vital areas like the brain and heart, which aids neurovascular regeneration. Here are a few more reasons to consider it:
1. Reduces inflammation
It has significant anti-inflammatory effects, easing swelling, joint pain, and post-exercise soreness—ideal for active and wellness-oriented individuals.
2. Promotes skin health
The treatment supports anti-aging by boosting collagen production, speeding wound healing, and improving skin tone, making it a great addition to traditional spa beauty treatments.
3. Boosts immune system
HBOT also enhances immune function and helps detoxify cells, fitting well with modern biohacking approaches.
4. Reduces stress
By improving oxygen flow to the brain, it encourages relaxation, mental clarity, and stress recovery, offering a holistic wellness experience.
How often should you do hyperbaric oxygen therapy?
To see real benefits, consistency is key. Most plans suggest two to five sessions per week over several weeks before noticeable effects appear. Long-term improvements—like better skin, sharper thinking, and slowed aging processes—come with regular use.
“Frequency depends on personal health goals,” says Jovanovic. “For general wellness, one to two sessions per week works well. Athletes or those wanting faster recovery can do daily sessions for one to two weeks under professional guidance.”
Short-term benefits can appear quickly: more energy, faster healing, less pain, deeper sleep, reduced fatigue, better endurance, lower inflammation, less stress, and stabilized blood pressure. After my first session, I slept exceptionally well—though the facial I had earlier may have helped. Still, the oxygen therapy clearly had an effect. And with regular sessions, research suggests the benefits can grow.
Who should avoid hyperbaric oxygen therapy?
People with claustrophobia may find it challenging, as the treatment takes place in a small, enclosed chamber. It’s also not advised for those with major conditions like cancer, heart disease, or uncontrolled blood pressure, nor for pregnant individuals or anyone with serious respiratory issues.
“HBOT is great for wellness enthusiasts, active people, those dealing with fatigue, or anyone seeking immune support—especially after a respiratory illness,” Jovanovic adds. “But it’s not recommended for people who’ve had recent ear or sinus surgery, severe sinus infections, or chronic ear problems, as pressure changes could cause discomfort or injury.”
Curious about a beauty or wellness trend?
Let us know! Email Vogue’s senior beauty & wellness editor at beauty@vogue.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of FAQs about hyperbaric oxygen therapy designed to sound like questions from real people
Basics Definition
What is hyperbaric oxygen therapy in simple terms
Its a medical treatment where you breathe pure oxygen inside a pressurized chamber This allows your lungs to take in much more oxygen than normal which helps your body heal and fight infection
Is it like an oxygen tank or a spaceship
Its more like a long clear tube or a small room that is sealed and pressurized You just lie down or sit inside and breathe normally
Whats the main point of the pressure
The increased air pressure allows your blood to carry a significantly higher amount of oxygen to your tissues organs and bones which is the key to its healing effects
Benefits Uses
What are the most common reasons people get HBOT
Its FDAapproved for specific conditions like decompression sickness serious infections nonhealing wounds radiation injury and carbon monoxide poisoning
Ive heard athletes and celebrities use it Is that the same thing
The core technology is similar but theres a difference Medical HBOT uses higher pressures and is prescribed for specific conditions Wellness or mild HBOT uses lower pressure and is not FDAapproved for medical treatment though some people use it for recovery or general wellness
Can it help with things like antiaging or brain fog
Some research and anecdotal reports suggest benefits for inflammation and cognitive function but these are often considered offlabel uses You should discuss the evidence and risks with a doctor as these are not the primary approved reasons for treatment
The Treatment Experience
What does it actually feel like during a session
Youll feel a slight pressure in your ears similar to ascending or descending in an airplane The staff will teach you how to clear your ears Otherwise you just relax breathe and can often watch TV or listen to music
How long does a typical session last
A session usually lasts about 60 to 90 minutes inside the pressurized chamber plus time for pressurization and depressurization
Is it painful or claustrophobic
It is not painful If you are claustroph