Introduction
There has been a lot of conversation going around Ozone therapy, its pros, cons, and legality in the country. But, before we simplify what the buzz is all about, it is imperative to understand what ozone therapy is. And more importantly, what is ozone?
Well, simply put, ozone is a form of oxygen made up of three oxygen atoms. Ozone therapy is the process of using ozone gas in medical procedures to treat certain illnesses.
Contradictory to the fact that ozone protects the earth from harmful radiations in the upper atmosphere, it is detrimental to the human body in the lower region. Exposure to the gas can lead to throat irritation, coughing, and allergies, and long-term exposure can even lead to asthma and lung damage.
But if ozone is harmful, why is there a discussion about the gas being therapeutic? Let’s find out.
Ozone therapy: Uses
Despite getting heat from the scientific communities, some researchers believe that the medical procedure can help cure various diseases. In this report from 2011, the list includes arthritis, SARS, HIV, macular degeneration, heart disease, and cancer. Ozone is also believed to disinfect wounds and activate the immune system.
Despite these claims, we are still awaiting more research to prove the effectiveness of the treatment. So, the question remains does it work?
Does it work?
A fraction of the research community believes it is effective, but there are no proven results to support the claim. Ozone therapy has proven effective against the HIV-causing virus outside the human body, but any experiments on living bodies are awaited.
There have been some recent positive results as well. An NCBI report of 2018 has proven ozone to be an effective cure for musculoskeletal disorders such as knee osteoarthritis. Another 2019 report suggests the clinical utility of gas in dental medicine. It proved to be a disinfectant in root canal surgery, desensitizing the exposed dentin area.
The cons of ozone therapy
As ambitious as the procedure is, in addition to the lack of supporting evidence, it comes with its own set of side effects. It can hamper the human body in several ways. In general, ozone has a burning effect and can impact the area of physical contact. In the short term, it can cause flu-like symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, and irritation in the throat. It can also cause pain in applications such as the rectum or the mouth. It also causes temporary discomfort, cramping up the muscles, and excessive gas formation.
Different ways of performing ozone therapy
Being an experiment, there are multiple ways of performing this procedure. It can mainly be classified into three different types. It includes:
Direct tissue application
Ozone is sometimes directly introduced to the affected area in an attempt to avoid inhalation by the patient. To ensure protection, the patient is often wrapped in protective covering. This ensures minimal exposure and maximum results.
Intramuscular
Ozone mixed with oxygen is sometimes inserted directly into the patient’s muscles.
Intraveinous
Especially used in systemic ailments, ozone is often infused directly into the blood stream through a systematic process. The practitioner will infuse ozone into a blood sample of the patient. Once mixed, the concoction is pushed back into the blood stream of the patient through the veins.
Apart from these main methods, ozone maybe applied to the surface of the skin, inhaled, or blown into the body through opening such as the rectum. But these methods of direct contact can prove to be dangerous and need optimum care.
Why is ozone therapy illegal?
Now, this brings us to the main discussion for the day. Is ozone therapy legal? Currently, in the USA, no government agency has authorized the use of ozone therapy to treat any illness. Because the earlier reports have no proven standing and lack evidence, the agencies believe it would be misleading to give the procedures a medical place.
Moreover, according to the claims, modulation of immune system response and reversal of oxygen deficits in the body can help fight diseases, but tangible results are awaited. This is one of the main reasons no organization in the medical spectrum has authorized this process for medical treatments.
So, the next time someone asks, “Is ozone therapy legal in the US?” one can tell them that it is indeed not.
Is ozone therapy approved by the FDA?
But the question remains, “Is ozone therapy FDA approved?”. There are clinical trials in the works for ozone therapy as a medical procedure. Still, today, The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved the use of ozone therapy for medical treatments. It even states that ozone currently has no known use in medical treatments.
While the FDA has taken a firm stand, certain states where it is indeed legal. Wonder how? Let’s have a look.
While the FDA has taken a firm stand, certain states where it is indeed legal. Wonder how? Let’s have a look.
States where ozone therapy is legal
Under the health freedom laws, several states have protection. This includes New York, Nevada, Alaska, Georgia, Colorado, New Mexico, North Carolina, Texas, Washington, Minnesota, and Oklahoma. This means that while FDA might not have approved the medical use of ozone, practitioners from these states are still free to use the same.
The 2003 declaration by the FDA writes off any possibilities for introducing ozone in medicine but still does not have control over medical professionals and their preferences in ozone therapy legal states.
Conclusion
After having looked at the current scenario of ozone therapy it is hard to decide whether it is a boon or a bane for mankind. It will take years to get to a certain level of understanding after thorough research and experimentation. Till that is achieved there will always be the constant tussle between the opposers and the supporters.
So, the entire conversation will have two opinions till a firm decision is made in either favor of or against ozone therapy unanimously. Till then, it is advisable to consider the pros and cons of the process and consult with your health advisor before planning.
