Whether you’re a biohacker, an athlete, or you have a chronic autoimmune disease, oxygen is your ally.
The problem is, as you age your body gets less efficient at delivering oxygen to your tissues. These low oxygen conditions lead to brain fog, fatigue, reduced performance, and a weak immune system. Low oxygen also increases your risk of getting a chronic disease like Alzheimer’s $1$.

So how can you get more oxygen into your tissues?
Enter EWOT.

What is EWOT?

EWOT stands for Exercise With Oxygen Therapy. You inhale air with a higher oxygen concentration (often 93–95%, compared to 21% in ambient air) through a mask while you exercise—such as cycling, walking on a treadmill, or strength training. The goal is to increase oxygen delivery to tissues, potentially improving exercise tolerance, reducing fatigue, and enhancing cellular function.

EWOT vs. HBOT

EWOT is different from Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT), where you get into a pressurized chamber.

I’m a huge fan of both.

• EWOT is more affordable and accessible than HBOT.

• It’s also more time-efficient—an HBOT session typically takes 90 minutes, while an EWOT session takes 15.

If your goal is longevity, you might want to include both in your regimen (just spread them out—too much oxygen can be toxic). Many people try both and pick what works best. If you have specific medical conditions, consult a functional doctor to guide your choice.

Benefits of EWOT

1. Exercise Performance

As exercise intensity increases, your muscles demand more oxygen. If your body can’t keep up, you fatigue faster.
EWOT increases circulation and oxygen delivery to your muscles, which improves performance.
One study found EWOT improved endurance in healthy people by 17–45% after two weeks $2$.

2. Brain Performance

Your brain requires a constant, high supply of oxygen to function at its best.
Studies show that EWOT improves reaction time and short-term memory $3$.

3. Inflammation Reduction

Hypoxia (low oxygen) contributes to inflammation $4$.
EWOT improves oxygenation and circulation, which helps reduce inflammation in tissues.

4. Longevity

As you age, oxygen transport becomes less efficient—contributing to many aging-related diseases $5$.
EWOT restores oxygen delivery and is a strong addition to any longevity regimen.

How to Do It

You may be able to find a clinic or biohacking center offering EWOT, or you can invest in a home system. Entry-level options start around $1,700, and you’ll also need a stationary bike or treadmill.

Many people feel results after just one session. With consistent use, benefits can last weeks, months—even years $6$.

Want to Learn More?

• EWOT: Stay tuned for The Human Upgrade Podcast episode coming soon

• HBOT: Check out Episode 1281

References

1. Liu G, Yang C, Wang X, Chen X, Wang Y, Le W. Oxygen metabolism abnormality and Alzheimer’s disease: An update. Redox Biol. 2023 Dec;68:102955.

2. von Ardenne M, Klemm W, Klinger J. Double-blind study on the long-lasting improvement of physical endurance following oxygen-multistep-therapy. Z Alternsforsch. 1984 Jan-Feb;39(1):17-30.

3. von Ardenne M, Klemm W. Increasing mental performance by multistep oxygen therapy. Z Alternsforsch. 1989 Jan-Feb;44(1):37-48.

4. Bartels K, Grenz A, Eltzschig HK. Hypoxia and inflammation are two sides of the same coin. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2013 Nov 12;110(46):18351-2.

5. Valli A, Harris AL, Kessler BM. Hypoxia metabolism in ageing. Aging (Albany NY). 2015 Jul;7(7):465-6.

6. von Ardenne M. Age-dependence of oxygen transport into body tissues and the favorable modification of this transport by multistep oxygen therapy. Z Alternsforsch. 1984 Jul-Aug;39(4):187-210.