Oxygen is only one side of the story
Imagine lying in a pressurized chamber, surrounded by the quiet hum of healing. You’re breathing in pure oxygen—more than your lungs have likely ever tasted before. This is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, or HBOT, a treatment that’s gaining attention for its ability to support wound healing, reduce inflammation, and even improve cognitive function.
Now, imagine a very different scene. You’re sitting quietly. Your breath is soft and light. You begin to notice a gentle air hunger—not uncomfortable, but present. You’re not chasing oxygen. Instead, you’re retraining your body to use the oxygen it already has—more wisely, more efficiently. This is the Buteyko Breathing Method.
At first glance, these two approaches might seem to contradict each other. One floods your system with oxygen; the other teaches you to need less of it. But are they truly at odds—or can they support each other in subtle, complementary ways?
What Is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy—and Why Use It?
HBOT involves breathing pure oxygen in a sealed chamber with higher-than-normal atmospheric pressure. This increases the amount of oxygen dissolved in your blood plasma, allowing it to reach tissues that may be inflamed, damaged, or poorly circulated.
Traditionally, HBOT has been used for serious medical conditions like carbon monoxide poisoning, chronic wounds, or radiation injury. More recently, it’s being explored for issues like brain fog, chronic fatigue, long COVID, and post-concussion recovery.
In many cases, it can be incredibly helpful. It gives your body a boost—a chance to heal faster.
But from a Buteyko perspective, oxygen is only one side of the story. And sometimes, it’s not even the most important one.
The Buteyko Lens: Oxygen In, But CO₂ Out?
Dr. Konstantin Buteyko taught us something that still surprises many people today: the key to efficient oxygen delivery isn’t just about how much oxygen we inhale—it’s about how much carbon dioxide (CO₂) we retain.
CO₂ is not a waste gas. It’s essential. It acts as a gatekeeper, helping oxygen leave your bloodstream and enter your cells. This is known as the Bohr Effect. Without enough CO₂, oxygen can’t do its job, no matter how much of it you take in.
Over-breathing—something most people do without even realizing—washes out CO₂. And with it, we lose our natural ability to oxygenate efficiently.
So while HBOT increases oxygen levels in the blood, it doesn’t address how we’re breathing. It doesn’t restore balance. Buteyko does.
So, Can They Work Together?
Yes, absolutely—with awareness.
HBOT can offer support in acute or complex situations. It can bring relief, improve circulation, and help jumpstart healing. Buteyko, on the other hand, is a long-term practice. It restores the body’s natural rhythm and breathing intelligence. It helps us build resilience from within.
If you’re considering using both, think of HBOT as a powerful external support—and Buteyko as your internal compass. The two can work together beautifully when approached with intention.
In fact, practicing Buteyko may even help you get more out of HBOT. By improving your CO₂ tolerance, you support better oxygen delivery and reduce the risk of discomfort from high oxygen exposure.
In this video clip, Sasha answers a client’s question about Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) and whether its effects can be viewed positively from the perspective of the Buteyko Breathing Method. This article was written in response to that client’s request.
A Note of Caution for Buteyko Students
For individuals with low CO₂ tolerance, the sudden influx of oxygen during HBOT can sometimes lead to sensations such as dizziness, nervousness, or even agitation. It may also trigger heavy or mouth breathing.
If you choose to undergo HBOT, do so with support. Work with a practitioner who understands your breathing patterns. Continue your Buteyko practice before and after each session to help your system stay balanced and grounded.
And needless to say—during HBOT, always breathe gently and silently through your nose.
Final Thoughts: It’s Not About More—It’s About Balance
Oxygen is powerful. But it’s not the full picture.
At its heart, the Buteyko Method reminds us that health doesn’t come from more, but from balance. More oxygen is not always better. In fact, our bodies often need less breathing, not more, to heal and thrive.
Are you considering HBOT—or already using it? Don’t forget to support your system with the foundation it needs: proper breathing.
Let’s work together to help your body integrate and sustain the healing.
👉 Reach out to learn more about the Buteyko Breathing Normalization Training.
