Digital Social Hour: Why Your Oxygen Therapy Might Be Holding You Back | Steven Scott DSH #1058

Release Date: January 4, 2025

In episode #1058 of Digital Social Hour, host Sean Kelly delves deep into the transformative world of carbon dioxide (CO₂) therapy with expert guest Steven Scott. This insightful conversation challenges the conventional emphasis on oxygen therapy, unveiling the myriad benefits of CO₂ for health, longevity, and athletic performance. Below is a comprehensive summary of their engaging discussion.

1. Introduction to CO₂ Therapy

The episode opens with a surprising revelation about naked mole rats, animals renowned for their longevity and resistance to cancer. Scott highlights that these creatures thrive in high-CO₂ environments, sparking the conversation about the potential benefits of CO₂ therapy for humans.

Notable Quote:

“They don't have that. Basically don't age.” — [00:17]

2. Historical Context and Modern Applications

Scott traces the roots of CO₂ therapy back centuries, emphasizing its historical use in natural springs and ancient healing practices. He references a 1792 case where CO₂ baths significantly reduced pain from ulcerated breast tumors, showcasing its therapeutic potential long before modern science caught up.

Notable Quote:

“People would go to receive healing, and they would sit in these baths and... they were found to be naturally high and very high in carbon dioxide.” — [03:20]

3. Breathwork and CO₂ Tolerance

The discussion transitions to various breathwork techniques that enhance CO₂ tolerance. Scott explains how practices like the Buteyka method can normalize blood pressure and improve overall health by retaining more CO₂ during breathing exercises.

Notable Quote:

“He was able to overcome his high blood pressure. It became normalized and he overcame a lot of his health issues...” — [05:19]

4. CO₂ vs. Oxygen Therapy

Challenging mainstream oxygen therapy, Scott argues that CO₂ therapy is more effective in increasing capillary density and mitochondrial function. He explains that while oxygen therapy can lead to vasoconstriction and oxidative stress, CO₂ therapy promotes vasodilation and enhances oxygen delivery to tissues.

Notable Quote:

“CO₂ is causing you to breathe deeply... you're getting more blood flow to the tissues.” — [10:04]

5. Longevity and Animal Studies

Scott draws parallels between CO₂-rich environments and longevity, citing naked mole rats and certain cave-dwelling bats that live longer due to their high-CO₂ habitats. He suggests that CO₂ therapy could emulate these conditions to extend human lifespan and reduce age-related diseases.

Notable Quote:

“CO₂ has the benefits of its own... it's a combination of the CO₂... lower levels of oxygen as well.” — [22:04]

6. Athletic Performance and Recovery

Highlighting practical applications, Scott discusses how CO₂ therapy aids athletic performance by reducing inflammation and enhancing recovery. He shares anecdotes of professional athletes, including football players and bodybuilders, who have benefited from using CO₂ baths and breathing machines to improve their performance and reduce injury downtime.

Notable Quote:

“He won the whole thing. Holy crap.” — [18:03]

7. Fat Loss and Skin Health

Scott introduces carboxytherapy, a method involving CO₂ injections that promote fat loss and improve skin elasticity. He references studies where participants lost significant measurements through CO₂ therapy alone, attributing these results to increased blood flow and vasculature in targeted areas.

Notable Quote:

“They lost like 4cm compared to the control group, just from the CO₂ injections.” — [27:42]

8. Mental Health Benefits

Beyond physical health, Scott emphasizes the mental health advantages of CO₂ therapy. He shares testimonials of individuals who experienced reduced anxiety and enhanced resilience, positioning CO₂ therapy as a powerful tool for mental well-being.

Notable Quote:

“He said it basically eliminated his anxiety.” — [29:34]

9. Integration with Other Therapies

Scott proposes that CO₂ therapy can act as an amplifier for other treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation. By increasing blood flow and oxygenation, CO₂ therapy may enhance the effectiveness of these intensive treatments, potentially allowing for lower dosages and reduced side effects.

Notable Quote:

“It improves the benefits. It improves the effectiveness of those therapies quite a lot.” — [30:05]

10. Risks and Adverse Effects

While advocating for CO₂ therapy, Scott acknowledges potential risks, including respiratory acidosis and headaches from overuse. He advises moderation, suggesting sessions of five to twenty minutes, and underscores the importance of consulting healthcare professionals before integrating CO₂ therapy into one's regimen.

Notable Quote:

“You don't want to overdo it... it's something you want to do like five or 10 minutes here or there.” — [12:41]

11. Product Information and Future Developments

Scott introduces his innovative CO₂ therapy device, a suit combined with infrared panels designed to maximize the benefits of CO₂ baths. He hints at upcoming product releases and encourages listeners to explore more on his website, carbogenetics.com.

Notable Quote:

“You could do it two to four times a day. You could do it once per day and get benefit.” — [28:12]

12. Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Wrapping up the episode, Scott urges listeners to educate themselves about CO₂ therapy and consider its integration into their health routines. He envisions a future where CO₂ therapy centers become as commonplace as oxygen therapy facilities, revolutionizing health and longevity practices.

Notable Quote:

“Maybe incorporate it into what you're doing.” — [31:10]

Key Takeaways

• CO₂ Therapy vs. Oxygen Therapy: CO₂ therapy offers superior benefits in enhancing blood flow, capillary density, and mitochondrial function without the oxidative stress associated with excessive oxygen.

• Historical and Modern Relevance: From ancient healing springs to modern biohacking, CO₂ therapy has a longstanding and evolving role in health and wellness.

• Applications in Athletics and Recovery: Athletes can leverage CO₂ therapy for improved performance, faster recovery, and reduced injury risks.

• Mental and Physical Health Benefits: CO₂ therapy not only aids in physical recovery and fat loss but also significantly benefits mental health by reducing anxiety and building resilience.

• Safety and Moderation: While beneficial, it's crucial to use CO₂ therapy responsibly to avoid adverse effects, emphasizing the need for professional guidance.

For those intrigued by the potential of CO₂ therapy, further information and resources are available on Scott's website, carbogenetics.com, and his Instagram @Carbogenetics. Integrating CO₂ therapy could be a game-changer in achieving optimal health, longevity, and athletic excellence.