What Does a Typical Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) Session Feel Like?
If you’re considering hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) for the first time, it’s natural to wonder what the experience will actually feel like. While HBOT is a well-established medical therapy with over 100 years of clinical use, the idea of entering a pressurized chamber can feel unfamiliar to many. In this post, we’ll walk through what to expect during an HBOT session and how it feels from start to finish, so you can feel confident and prepared.
Step 1: Medical Intake and Screening
Before your first session, you’ll complete a health intake and screening process. This will include a review of your medical history, recent imaging or labs (if applicable), and a physical assessment to ensure HBOT is appropriate and safe for you.
At MD Hyperbaric, this is supervised by a qualified medical provider, often a physician or nurse practitioner trained in hyperbaric medicine.
Step 2: Preparation for the Session
Once cleared, you’ll be guided to change into clinic-provided cotton clothing, which reduces static electricity and improves safety in the chamber. Personal items like electronics, watches, and lotions are typically not allowed inside the chamber.
You’ll also be asked to remove jewelry and use the restroom prior to beginning your session. Be sure to bring a book or other reading materials, or you may select one from our library!
Step 3: Entering the Chamber
Most HBOT sessions take place in either a monoplace (single-person) or multiplace (multi-person) chamber. At MD Hyperbaric, patients lie down or sit up in a spacious, FDA-cleared hard-sided monoplace chamber. You can see out at all times and continuously communicate with our trained staff via a communication device. Once inside, the door is sealed, and the chamber begins to pressurize with filtered room air.
You’ll hear a soft hissing sound as air enters, and you’ll feel a change in pressure similar to takeoff in an airplane. Your ears may pop or feel full, and your technician will walk you through how to equalize the pressure by yawning, swallowing, or gently pinching your nose and blowing. This “compression” phase typically lasts 10 to 15 minutes, depending on the prescribed pressure.
Step 4: At Pressure and Breathing Oxygen
Once the target pressure is reached (typically 1.5 to 2.4 ATA), you’ll begin breathing 100% oxygen. At MD Hyperbaric, this is delivered directly via a comfortable mask.
Most patients simply rest during this time. Sessions usually last between 60 and 90 minutes. Many people read, nap, or meditate.
Many patients report a sense of calm or clarity during or after their session. The chamber remains temperature-controlled and monitored at all times.
Step 5: Decompression and Exit
At the end of the session, the chamber is gradually depressurized. This decompression phase takes another 10 to 15 minutes. You may again feel pressure changes in your ears, and your technician will guide you through clearing your ears as needed.
Once the pressure returns to normal, the chamber door is opened, and you can exit. Many patients return to normal activities immediately, while some report feeling a little hungry as their body is putting to use all of the extra oxygen it just received.
Common Sensations During HBOT
- Ear pressure: Most noticeable during pressurization and decompression. Easily managed with simple techniques.
- Mild warmth or coolness: Chambers are temperature-regulated, but shifts in airflow can sometimes feel slightly warm or cool.
- Relaxation or sleepiness: It’s common to feel deeply relaxed. Some people nap during their sessions.
- Clarity or refreshed feeling: While individual experiences vary, many report feeling energized or clear-headed afterward.
What HBOT Does Not Feel Like
- Painful: The session should never be painful. Discomfort from ear pressure can occur, but staff are trained to help you adjust.
- Claustrophobic (for most people): Modern HBOT chambers, like those at MD Hyperbaric, are spacious and comfortable. If you are concerned, speak with your provider ahead of time.
- Overwhelming: The pace of each session is gentle and supervised. Staff guide you throughout the experience.
Final Thoughts
HBOT sessions are comfortable, quiet, and non-invasive. While the environment is unique, most people adapt quickly and enjoy the time as an opportunity to rest and recharge. At MD Hyperbaric, patient comfort, safety, and support are prioritized at every step.
If you’re curious about whether HBOT is a good fit for you, consider booking a Discovery Call. Understanding the experience is the first step toward making an informed decision.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical or insurance advice. Please consult a qualified healthcare provider for personal recommendations and check with your insurance company for current policy details.
What Our Patients Say
Real Patients. Real Results
Post-Surgical Recovery“Getting HBOT helped me a lot with my wound healing. I noticed my scars remarkably lightened. My mood and energy levels improved as well in just three weeks of getting two sessions each week — despite my demanding work schedule, I felt like I had more energy.”Namae
Inflammatory Bowel Disease“I was prescribed HBOT by my specialist to treat a complex and traumatic issue stemming from IBD and reconstructive GI surgeries. I did a full course and absolutely saw improvement right away. The staff are amazing, very professional and caring.”Kathleen
Injury Recovery“I broke my wrist playing tennis and came to MD Hyperbaric Westchester to help speed up my recovery. After a few sessions I have felt a tremendous improvement in energy, sleep — and my doctor says my wrist is healing remarkably well.”John
Cancer Adjunct“I'm a breast cancer survivor, and after radiation near my lungs, I thought this treatment might be useful. I can feel a difference in my breathing and cognition. I definitely recommend it if your body has gone through a traumatic experience.”Aziza
Wellness“I recently began using Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy at MD Hyperbaric, and it's been one of the most unique and impactful wellness treatments I've explored. I was drawn in by the potential benefits for anxiety, fatigue, and overall cellular repair, but I didn't expect it to feel this restorative — and my skin is glowing too!”Olesia
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Frequently Asked Questions
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is a proven treatment that enhances healing by flooding the body with oxygen. Used for over 100 years, it supports brain health, anti-aging, athletic recovery, and medical conditions by boosting oxygen in blood, tissues, and organs. Patients breathe 100% oxygen in a pressurized chamber, accelerating recovery and promoting cellular repair.
HBOT is FDA-approved for 14 conditions like burns, carbon monoxide poisoning, and non-healing wounds. Emerging research also supports its use for post-surgical recovery, brain injury, fatigue, inflammation, athletic recovery, and anti-aging. Our medical team will assess if HBOT is right for you.
Yes, HBOT is safe when properly supervised. At MD Hyperbaric, treatments are protocol-driven, medically overseen, and administered by certified staff. Our Medical Director and onsite Safety Director ensure every session is carefully monitored, and we continuously update our protocols based on the latest research to prioritize patient safety.
Typically, most treatment sessions are approximately 60 minutes, though some conditions may require up to 90 or 120 minutes. Pressurization and depressurization may add about 20 minutes to the appointment, so you should plan for about 90 minutes for your visit.
The number of sessions depends on the condition being treated. Some patients may benefit from a few sessions, while others may require a more extended treatment plan. A typical protocol will involve 10-40 daily sessions to build up oxygen in the cells. Our Medical Director will recommend a specific treatment plan to address your goals and needs.
Prior to treatment, please try to avoid alcohol or carbonated drinks. It is best to avoid smoking and other tobacco products during your treatment period, as they may interfere with the body's ability to transport oxygen. Otherwise, there are no restrictions for food or activity before or after your treatment. We encourage you to have healthy meals and stay hydrated.
Most patients find HBOT sessions relaxing. You will rest comfortably in a 7.5-foot-long steel chamber, breathing 100% pure oxygen through a mask. During pressurization and depressurization, you may feel pressure changes similar to airplane travel. A trained technician will monitor you throughout the session.
The term "dive" is used because the process simulates the experience of a deep-sea dive in a pressurized environment. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy has deep roots in diving as an important therapy for treating divers experiencing decompression sickness.
At MD Hyperbaric, we use the FDA-cleared OxyHealth Fortius420, a spacious hard-shell chamber delivering 100% medical-grade oxygen via mask. It operates up to 3.0 ATA, allows tailored pressures, supports air breaks, and includes three windows for comfort and safety.
At MD Hyperbaric, we use hard-shell chambers that deliver 100% medical-grade oxygen at higher pressures for superior therapeutic benefits. Soft-shell chambers operate at lower pressures without medical-grade oxygen, making them less effective for medical treatment.
Our team will assess your medical history and specific circumstances through an intake process. An initial evaluation with certified staff and the Medical Director will determine your eligibility for HBOT.
No referral is needed. Our Medical Director will review your intake forms and prescribe HBOT if appropriate. If you have a prescription from a provider, we will coordinate with them. For serious health conditions, we may recommend getting clearance from your physician.
Some MD Hyperbaric centers accept insurance for certain on-label conditions — the FDA-recognized indications for which HBOT is an established standard of care. Whether insurance applies depends on your diagnosis, your plan, and the center you visit, so please contact your local center to confirm. Where insurance does not apply, HBOT is a self-pay treatment: most FSA/HSA plans allow reimbursement, and we can provide a superbill and receipt to help you submit a claim.
It depends on how you pay. For insurance-covered treatment at participating centers, your cost depends on your plan's deductible, copay, and coinsurance — the center verifies your benefits and explains expected costs before treatment begins. For self-pay treatment, we offer a variety of pricing options designed to suit different medical and financial needs, including pay-as-you-go and package options at reduced rates when purchased upfront. Please contact us to discuss pricing and options. We accept cash, credit, or check.