Can You Sleep During Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy?

Yes. Falling asleep during a session is common, expected, and completely fine.

Sessions run 60 to 90 minutes. You’re lying flat in a pressurized chamber breathing oxygen. The hum of the equipment, the warmth, and the stillness make it a reasonable place to nap. Many patients do exactly that.

Does Sleep Affect How Well HBOT Works?

No. Oxygen absorption in HBOT is passive. Your body absorbs the pressurized oxygen whether you’re awake or asleep. There’s nothing you need to consciously do during treatment to make it work. Breathing is automatic. Sleep doesn’t interfere.

This is different from some therapies where patient participation matters. HBOT isn’t one of them.

What Happens to Your Mask or Hood While You Sleep?

Patients in clinical HBOT wear either a mask over the face or a transparent hood over the head and shoulders that fills with oxygen. Both are designed to stay in place without active effort on your part.

The hood in particular is comfortable for sleeping because it doesn’t press against the face the way a mask might. Masks seal around the mouth and nose — sleeping with one on is similar to sleeping with a CPAP mask for patients who are used to that.

If the mask or hood shifts during sleep, staff will notice and correct it. That’s part of their job during the session.

Staff Monitor You the Whole Time

You’re never alone during an HBOT session. Staff watch through the chamber window or via camera throughout the entire treatment. If you fall asleep, that gets noted. If anything looks off, they respond.

In a monoplace chamber (the single-person tube), the staff member stays at the control panel where they can see you the whole time. In a multiplace chamber with multiple patients, there are staff inside and outside.

Sleeping patients are not a problem. Staff are used to it.

Making the Most of the Nap

If you want to sleep during sessions, a few things help. Avoid caffeine before your appointment. Wear comfortable, loose clothing (100% cotton — clinics require natural fibers). Skip the pre-session anxiety spiral. The chamber is warm and quiet.

Some patients bring earbuds with podcasts or music to help them drift off. Check with your clinic first about what electronics are allowed. Audio devices that are approved for chamber use are generally fine.

What About Snoring?

In a multiplace chamber where several patients are treated at once, snoring happens. Staff are used to this. Other patients may or may not appreciate it. This is worth knowing if you’re in a shared chamber.

Nothing to be done about it. It’s a fact of multiplace HBOT.

If You Can’t Sleep

Some patients, especially on early sessions, feel alert or slightly anxious in the chamber. That’s fine too. Sixty minutes is long but manageable. Bring something to listen to. Look through the window. Rest even if you don’t sleep. The therapy works either way.

If anxiety is significant, read what to expect at your first session and talk to the staff before you get in.

FAQ

Q: Can you sleep during hyperbaric oxygen therapy? Yes. It’s common and doesn’t affect treatment. Oxygen absorption is passive.

Q: Does sleeping reduce HBOT effectiveness? No. The pressurized oxygen is absorbed through normal breathing, which continues during sleep.

Q: What do patients do during sessions? Many sleep. Others listen to audio or simply rest. Sessions run 60-90 minutes.

Q: Is someone watching during your session? Yes. Staff monitor patients throughout, either through a window or via camera.

Related: Your First HBOT Session | Is HBOT Painful?

Medical Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy must be prescribed and supervised by a licensed physician. Always consult your care team about your specific situation. This site does not establish a doctor-patient relationship.