Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy and the Wellness-Tech Trend: What the Research Actually Says
Written by Becky Lumsden, founder of PURE Spa & Beauty
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy used to live in hospitals and elite sports clinics. In the last few years it's turned up in wellness spaces, recovery studios and spa menus — part of a broader "wellness-tech" wave alongside infrared saunas, red-light therapy and cold plunges. Here's why it has become one of the most talked-about treatments in wellness, and how to try it.
In short: HBOT has a long clinical history in hospitals and elite sport. Now it is one of the fastest-growing wellness treatments for recovery, energy and relaxation, and our clients tell us they leave feeling recharged.
Why HBOT caught the wellness world's attention
A few things came together. Recovery and "longevity" became mainstream wellness topics. Home and studio wellness-tech — saunas, red light, compression, cold — got easier to access. And HBOT itself is an appealing format: you're not doing anything strenuous, you just rest in a chamber for half an hour to an hour. For people already building recovery into their week, it slots in neatly.
Where HBOT sits among recovery tech
| Modality | What it involves | Typically used for |
|---|---|---|
| Hyperbaric oxygen (HBOT) | Resting in a pressurised chamber breathing 90–95% oxygen | Recovery, energy, relaxation |
| Infrared sauna | Radiant heat warming the body directly | Warmth, relaxation, unwinding |
| Red-light therapy | Exposure to specific wavelengths of light | Skin, recovery routines |
| Compression / cold | Compression boots or cold exposure | Post-exercise recovery |
None of these is a substitute for the others — people tend to mix and match. At PURE, HBOT sits within our wellness-technology services, and plenty of clients pair it with a massage or another treatment on the same visit.
What the research says
Hyperbaric oxygen is an established treatment in hospitals, and researchers are now exploring what it can do for recovery, energy and wellbeing. The early studies are encouraging, and so are our clients: many tell us they sleep better, recover faster after training and feel more energised after regular sessions.
We keep a running, plain-English log of research updates and real client experiences on our HBOT news & research page — worth a look if you want to go deeper.
How to get started
HBOT works best as a regular routine. Most clients start with the HBOT Access Pass, from £30 a session, the easiest way to feel the difference.
Where to try HBOT in the UK
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is available at PURE in Glasgow, Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Witney Lakes, from £30 a session with the HBOT Access Pass (5, 10, 20 or 30 sessions), or try a single 30-minute session for £45.
Your questions, answered
Why is HBOT becoming popular in wellness?
It's moved from clinical settings into the recovery and longevity "wellness-tech" trend, alongside infrared saunas, red-light therapy and cold exposure. It's a calm, low-effort session people can fold into a routine. Clients tell us they leave feeling energised, recovered and calm.
Is there scientific evidence for HBOT?
Hyperbaric oxygen has long-established clinical use in hospitals. Researchers are now exploring its role in recovery and wellbeing, and our clients tell us they feel the difference.
What does HBOT go alongside in a routine?
Often infrared saunas, red-light therapy, compression, massage and cold exposure. At PURE it sits within our wellness-technology services and many clients combine it with other treatments.
Where can I try HBOT in the UK?
At PURE in Glasgow, Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Witney Lakes, from £30 a session with the HBOT Access Pass.
Read next: what happens in an HBOT session →, how many sessions people have →, or the full HBOT guide →.
