Does Hyperbaric Chamber Make You Tired

It is very common and generally normal to feel tired after a hyperbaric chamber session. This phenomenon, often called “healing fatigue,” is typically a temporary side effect and a sign that the therapy is working. Because Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) significantly boosts your metabolic rate and accelerates cellular repair, your body consumes a large amount of energy to detoxify and heal tissues—much like the exhaustion you feel after an intense physical workout.

Reasons For Fatigue After Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

Here are a few core reasons why the body feels tired:

1. Cell activity and high load operation of mitochondria
   In the pressurized environment of the hyperbaric oxygen chamber, the oxygen content in the human body can reach 15 times as high as usual. This forces the mitochondria into a state of overclocking. This burst of energy production is immediately invested in repairing damaged tissue and fighting systemic inflammation. When you lie still in the cabin, your cells are actually undergoing a high-intensity “100-meter sprint”, and it is normal to have a natural sense of fatigue after the operation.
2. A sharp spike in metabolic levels
   Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is by no means the a static therapy. Increased pressure and oxygen concentration will instantly lift your basal metabolism. Even if you lie still, your body is burning calories and energy like crazy to process this surplus of oxygen. This is why many patients describe this feeling as “broken inductance” after high-intensity iron rolling .
3. Deep detoxification process
   With the increase of oxygen concentration, the blood circulation and lymphatic drainage in the body will be significantly improved, which will promote the body to start to loosen and clean up the long-term accumulation of toxins and metabolic waste. This detoxification process is extremely taxing on the liver and kidneys. When these organs go all out with the filtration system, you may experience a brief sense of dullness or “brain fog” before the toxins are completely expelled.
4. Physical adaptation to pressure changes
   The physical environment inside the cabin is itself a challenge for patients on the first try or at the beginning of a course of treatment. Adapting to changes in pressure (similar to pressure regulation during deep diving) and staying in a confined space for 60 to 90 minutes an invisible drain on the nervous system. The body must constantly adjust the internal pressure, and this continuous fine-tuning will also cause overall physical exertion.

Is Postoperative Fatigue A Good Sign?

In the vast majority of cases, yes. We usually think of this as biological evidence that oxygen has penetrated deep into the tissues and that the body’s repair mechanisms have been successfully activated. If you feel tired, it usually means that your body is mobilizing all its resources to prioritize internal renovation work rather than external activities.

How To Manage Post-Treatment Fatigue?

To ensure that you can maximize the therapeutic benefits of hyperbaric oxygen and quickly “return blood”, I recommend following these recovery strategies:

• Prioritize rest: Don’t overfill your schedule on the day after treatment. Allow yourself to take a 20-30 minute nap or go to bed early at night. Remember that true tissue repair is mostly done in sleep.
• Stay well hydrated: Hydraining is essential for detoxification. Sufficient drinking water before and after treatment can help your kidneys more effectively metabolize the toxins released during treatment, which can significantly shorten the duration of fatigue.
• High-quality nutritional supplements: Since metabolism is running at high speed, you have to provide enough “building materials”. It is recommended to eat a nutritious meal rich in high-quality protein after surgery, which can support cell repair and stabilize your blood sugar levels.
• Listen to your body’s signals: Even if you are usually a fitness expert, it is recommended not to rush to the gym after hyperbaric oxygen. Leave the limited energy reserve for the oxygen chamber to initiate the self-healing process for you.

Author: Nancy
I am a wellness specialist and clinical consultant dedicated to helping patients maximize the benefits of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT). With 13 years of experience observing the physiological effects of pressurized oxygen, I specialize in demystifying the recovery process—including ‘healing fatigue.’