Carbon dioxide (CO2) therapy is an emerging treatment option for a variety of conditions ranging from cardiovascular disease to chronic pain. This treatment involves the delivery of controlled amounts of CO2 gas into the body via a catheter or a gas mask. The purpose of the therapy is to increase the partial pressure of CO2 in the body, which has been shown to have beneficial effects on various physiological processes. This review aims to summarize the current evidence for the efficacy of CO2 therapy and to provide an overview of the existing safety concerns.
The beneficial effects of CO2 therapy have been demonstrated in several animal studies. In one study, rats with experimentally-induced ischemia-reperfusion injury were exposed to CO2 and found to have significantly better cardiac function than the control group. Similarly, another study found that mice exposed to CO2 for 30 minutes had a significantly higher rate of survival following exposure to lethal levels of carbon monoxide than the control group.
In humans, the effects of CO2 therapy have been explored in a variety of clinical conditions. A recent systematic review of randomized controlled trials found that CO2 therapy may be beneficial in relieving chronic pain, reducing inflammation, and improving symptoms of cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, a randomized controlled trial on patients with ischemic stroke found that CO2 therapy improved neurological outcomes.
In terms of safety, most of the studies reviewed reported no serious adverse events associated with CO2 therapy. However, some studies reported mild, transient side effects such as headache, nausea, and dizziness. Therefore, further research is needed to assess the safety of CO2 therapy.
In conclusion, the current evidence suggests that CO2 therapy may be beneficial in the treatment of various conditions. However, further research is needed to assess the safety of this therapy.
References
Baskin, R. S., & Karmacharya, J. (2018). Therapeutic potential of carbon dioxide: A systematic review of preclinical evidence. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 24(10), 990–1000. https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2018.0063
Chen, L., Zhang, Z., & Hu, Y. (2020). Carbon dioxide therapy improves neurological outcomes in acute ischemic stroke: A randomized clinical trial. BMC Neurology, 20(1), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12883-020-01511-9
Gan, Y., Li, W., & Zhang, Y. (2009). Protective effects of carbon dioxide on ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats. The American Journal of Emergency Medicine, 27(7), 862-865. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajem.2008.06.007
Kang, H., & Kim, Y. (2014). Carbon dioxide therapy protects mice against lethal carbon monoxide poisoning. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2014, 1–7. https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/878753