Fun with oxygen? Respiratory therapists say it’s no party

A new business in Halifax is providing a product that they say will be a unique addition to any nightclub, wedding or party.

They claim it could provide numerous health benefits, from headache relief to memory improvement. It is also said to alleviate the symptoms of a hangover.

Health experts are not so sure.

The product the business offers? Oxygen.

O2GO Mobile Oxygen Lounge sells its users air that they claim is 90 to 92 per cent oxygen, where the air we normally breathe is typically only 21 per cent oxygen, according to O2GO owners Celeste and Jonny Johnson.

Tammy Scott, a registered respiratory therapist, has doubts about the validity of O2GO’s claims. She said that the average person’s blood is already saturated with oxygen by breathing in room air.

“It’s like you’re getting nothing,” Scott said of oxygen bars.

Oxygen bars are not illegal in Canada, but Scott says she believes they should be regulated because they pose potential health risks to people with existing respiratory conditions.

Her views are supported by the Nova Scotia College of Respiratory Therapy (NSCRT), the regulatory body for respiratory therapy practices in the province. The college does not support the administration of supplemental oxygen by anyone other than health professionals.

“The health benefits of oxygen bars remain unsubstantiated and are not supported by scientific evidence. As these facilities lack regulation or medical oversight, there is potential harm to individuals with underlying respiratory or cardiovascular conditions,” the NSCRT said in a statement.

The Johnsons do not feel that their oxygen bar poses any health risks to its users.

“At the end of the day, it’s oxygen,” said Jonny. “It’s not like it’s any kind of drug or, you know, we’re running an opium bar, or anything like that.”

The Johnsons recently organized a health and wellness show in Halifax where their oxygen bar was available for testing.

“We’ve cured one headache today,” Jonny said to onlookers who paused in front of clear bottles filled with colourful, bubbling liquid hooked up to O2GO’s oxygen-dispensing machine. The cost was $15 for 10 minutes.

Diluted aroma oils, such as rosemary, mint or eucalyptus oil, can be incorporated into the oxygen mixture. The Johnsons say they are derived from “essential oils and/or food-grade oils” and offer a variety of additional benefits.

According to Scott, the inhalation of oils could cause lung inflammation or lipoid pneumonia, a disease caused by the collection of fat in the lungs.

The Johnsons have plans to do more private events and weddings. They say many people who live in the area are wary of their oxygen bar because they do not know what it is. They hope to educate the public.

“The more we get out there, the more people see our setup, the more interest we’re getting,” said Celeste Johnson.