From the Guidelines
Healthy individuals do not need supplemental oxygen under normal circumstances, as the air we breathe already contains sufficient oxygen for the body's needs when lung function is normal. The use of supplemental oxygen in healthy people can provide no health benefits and may actually be harmful, causing oxidative stress and potentially damaging tissues and cells through the formation of free radicals 1. According to the 2025 ACC/AHA/ACEP/NAEMSP/SCAI guideline, routine administration of supplemental oxygen is not recommended for patients with oxygen saturations ≥90% because it does not improve cardiovascular outcomes 1.
Key Points to Consider
- The body maintains precise oxygen levels through natural breathing mechanisms, and artificially increasing oxygen intake disrupts this balance.
- Excessive oxygen can cause oxidative stress, potentially damaging tissues and cells through the formation of free radicals.
- In rare cases, prolonged exposure to high oxygen concentrations can lead to oxygen toxicity, affecting the lungs and central nervous system.
- Some wellness trends promote recreational oxygen use at oxygen bars or through portable canisters, but these practices have no proven health benefits for people with normal lung function.
Exceptions and Precautions
- The only exceptions where healthy people might temporarily need supplemental oxygen are at very high altitudes (above 10,000 feet) or during certain medical procedures.
- If you're experiencing breathing difficulties or fatigue that makes you think you need oxygen, it's essential to consult a healthcare provider as these could be symptoms of an underlying condition requiring medical attention.
- The BTS guideline for oxygen use in adults in healthcare and emergency settings suggests a desirable target saturation range of 94–98% for acutely ill patients, but this does not apply to healthy individuals 1.
Conclusion is not needed, and the answer is based on the most recent and highest quality study, which is 1.
From the Research
Use of Oxygen for Healthy People
- The use of supplemental oxygen for healthy people is not well-established, and most studies focus on its use in medical conditions or anesthesia 2, 3, 4.
- In healthy, well-acclimatized individuals, supplemental oxygen and hyperbaric exposure have been shown to improve physiological parameters at high altitude, such as increasing arterial oxygenation and reducing heart rate 3.
- However, the benefits of supplemental oxygen for healthy people are not yet confirmed, and potential side-effects should be considered if the inspired oxygen concentration is increased above what is needed to maintain normal arterial oxygen saturation 2.
- There is no documented benefit of hyperbaric oxygen treatment for acute ischemic stroke, and there is emerging data to suggest increased mortality with normobaric supplemental oxygen for myocardial infarction without heart failure 2.
- The use of high-flow nasal cannula oxygen therapy is an emerging option for respiratory failure, but its use in healthy people is not well-established 5.
- Current guidelines for supplemental oxygen use in emergency patients recommend titrating oxygen to achieve an SpO2 of greater than 92%, but do not provide specific recommendations for healthy people 4.