What Does Ozone Therapy Do?

Although the FDA suggested in 2019 that ozone gas is toxic and has no proven medical applications, some studies are still speculating that using ozone therapy might have medical implications and several therapeutic effects.

It could be beneficial for the following conditions:

• Immune disorders
  • Lyme’s disease
  • Fibromyalgia
• Arthritis 
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Osteoarthritis
• Breathing disorders
• Diabetes
• Joint pain
• Wound healing
• Bacterial and viral conditions
• Dental conditions (ozonized water is particularly used in dental medicine as a spray or compress)

Although the FDA does not authorize the use of ozone, some studies report that ozone therapy can fight cancer by modulating the immune system response and reversing oxygen deficits in the body.

Ozone therapy could be beneficial and is speculated to work in the following ways:

• When ozone is combined with blood through injections, it significantly reduces viral load over two years, improving long-term health
• Gives a boost to a sluggish immune system
• Restores energy levels and promotes the feeling of wellness
• Helps promote antioxidants actions, inactivating free radicals and reducing oxidative stress, which helps keep a person young and vibrant
• Slows down the aging process at the cellular level
• Increases the oxygen levels in the blood, which help reduce the stress on the lungs
• Acts as a disinfectant when used on surfaces and medical equipment
• Disrupts the natural replication process of harmful invaders, including:
  • Bacteria
  • Viruses
  • Fungi
  • Yeast
  • Protozoa

Depending on the medical condition, the three main forms of administering ozone treatment include:

• Intravenously:
  • Ozone gas is dissolved into the blood drawn from the person
  • The blood with the dissolved gas is injected back into the person intravenously
  • Used to treat disorders, such as HIV
  • Has the risk of an embolism due to the formation of air bubbles
• Directly to the tissue: Recommended for an extremity problem or a wound, wherein the gas is administered to act as a protective covering.
• Intramuscularly: The ozone gas is often mixed with oxygen before administration.

The safety and effectiveness are not yet well-established, making it necessary that ozone therapy should only be conducted by a trained healthcare provider or naturopathic practitioner.

An accidental inhalation of the gas may invoke minor symptoms, such as burning eyes, coughing, nausea, light-headedness, or a mild headache, which usually resolves shortly after the treatment.

Some people experience the Herxheimer reaction, which makes a person have flu-like symptoms.

Ozone gas is harmful. It causes lung and throat irritation and cough and worsens asthma symptoms. Inhaling large amounts can lead to lung damage and prove to be fatal.

A report published in 2005 reported that the use of ozone resulted in air embolism, blood-borne infections, and bilateral visual field loss.

This therapy can cause serious and life-threatening adverse effects, including death.