All you need to know about recreational oxygen
- Total guide (2019)
In this post, you're going to find out precisely what recreational oxygen is all about.
We rarely think about oxygen. It's the third most common element in the universe; we wouldn't be alive without it, but yet we rarely think about it.
But, professional athletes, movie stars, and singers are now more and more using oxygen for recreational use to get better results and to fasten their recovery.
Also, you're going to learn what's the difference between the recreational oxygen vs. medical oxygen, and what are the benefits of using oxygen for recreational use.
Let's dive right in.
What is recreational oxygen anyway?
Recreational oxygen helps with the recovery, provides energy when needed, and gives more stamina. This type of oxygen is different from medical oxygen because it doesn't require a prescription. Recreational oxygen is not a drug, and it's not used as a medicine.
The packing is also different. The recreational oxygen comes as a booster, and it's usually packed in a can.
What are the recreational oxygen benefits, and how does it work?
Well, it's pretty simple. Recreational oxygen relies on the benefits of natural oxygen. That means that the higher intake of oxygen relieves stress, brings better sleep, and eases muscle aches. Also, it increases energy and recovers you quickly from jet lag and even hangovers.
The lack of oxygen on the other side brings the effect of tiredness, low energy, slower recovery, and so on.
Let's look at the example. One of the most common places where there's a lack of oxygen is while traveling by plane.
One study from the team of Belfast research conducted the result that 'More than half of airline passengers are so starved of oxygen at high altitude that their health could be harmed.'
Also, Dr. Susan Humphreys, anesthetic specialist registrar, said research showed that 'A drop in oxygen levels in the blood can lead to an increase in blood clotting, which raises the risk of deep vein thrombosis even in healthy people. '
The air you breathe is made up of 21 percent oxygen, while oxygen bars and oxygen in a can products have about 99 percent oxygen. So they help you recover faster when you need more oxygen.
Some of the benefits of recreational oxygen are:
- Higher energy and vitality
- Faster muscle recovery
- Better athletic performance
- Easing down the jet lag
- Decrease in stress
Is recreational oxygen for everyone, and can you use it all the time?
Well, oxygen for recreational use is mostly used by athletes, actors, singers, and business people for easing down the jet lag.
Recreational use of oxygen depends on your activities and the level of the oxygen that is currently in your system.
We have said earlier that people are used to breathing the air that is made of the 21 percent oxygen. If you're not doing some physical activity that drains the energy out of you, or you don't feel like you have a headache or jet lag, then you don't need to use the recreational oxygen.
But, if you have run 50 meters or you have a jet lag, then consuming recreational oxygen will help you recover much faster and make you feel better.
Are there any health risks of oxygen for recreational use?
For healthy people, there are no side effects or any health risks of consuming recreational oxygen.
The only risk is coming from the unclean tubes on the oxygen in a can. But, these are the rare cases because it's pretty easy to clean the pipes of the can.
Too much oxygen can be harmful, but you can't achieve that too quickly. You needed to be exposed to very high oxygen levels for over 16 hours and in pressures of 0.5 bar or more to get Pulmonary Oxygen Toxicity.
Is recreational oxygen portable?
Yes, of course.
You can see a lot of football players and other athletes that are using recreational oxygen in a can right next to the field.
The oxygen cans are easy to transport just like your taking an armpit respirator with you on a trip.
Currently, a lot of commercial airline passengers not allowed to bring canned recreational oxygen in checked-in but not as a carry-on luggage.
To be sure, contact the airline company that you’re going to fly with.
Is recreational oxygen safe and tested?
When your searching for recreational oxygen, make sure that it has a test certificate.
For example, one of the tests was performed on the premises of the laboratory that operates within ANT Ltd. Two oxygen-filled cans where each contains 5 liters of compressed gas were delivered to the test. You can see the results of a test here.
Also, on this oxygen, microbiological analysis at the Public Health Teaching Institute Andrija Stampar was made.
How do you consume recreational oxygen in a can?
Consumption depends on your mood and current state.
For example, if you feel tired, slow, under strain, jet-lagged, or you need some fresh air. Every situation requires different amounts, depending on the individual.
Your mood, oxygen, and energy levels vary daily. Without a pulse oximeter, accurate
determination of optimal oxygen levels can be difficult. The following recommendations are here to help you decide on the oxygen amounts you can inhale daily, depending on different situations. Each situation requires between 4 and 100 quick breaths of oxygen to restore optimal oxygen levels.
You can see below some basic examples of consumption. Note that usage guidelines may vary depending on the individual, local air, and activity level. Have in mind that recreational oxygen in a can is intended solely for recreational, occasional use and must not be used for medical or healing purposes.
Morning sluggishness or afternoon sleepiness: 4 to 6+ breaths
Stressful day at work or school: 4 to 6+ breaths
Study room or polluted air: 12 to 40+ breaths
Daily activity in busy track areas: 4 to 6+ breaths
Long road trip: 40+ breaths during travel
Short sight: 6+ breaths after landing
Long international flight: 40+ breaths after landing
Altitudes above 1000 m: 40+ breaths per day, as needed
Hiking and cycling at altitudes above 1000 m: 100+ breaths per day, as needed
Hiking at altitudes above 3000 m: 6+ breaths every 20 minutes
Weight and cardio workouts: 12+ breaths before a workout
High-intensity exercises and training: 12+ breaths after training
Late-night party: 15+ breaths before bed
The morning after a night of partying: 40 to 100+ breaths
House activity: 4 to 6+ breaths
Lack of energy or mental weakness: 4 to 6+ breaths
Now let's hear it from you.
Is it now more clear what is recreational oxygen?
Anyway, you can always pop-out email to us if you have any questions about this topic. Also, you can share this article with people that are going to benefit from it.