Instant Oxygen Flying Off NYC Pharmacy Shelves

by Jarrett Martineau | August 11, 2008 at 03:50 pm

2816 views | 9 Recommendations | 13 comments

Everybody just take a deep breath in...

Ok, now someone remind to open up that oxygen bar I've been talking about; it's time to capitalize on the trend.

With 1 in 10 Americans is chronically sleep deprived people are looking for anything to boost their energy.

First there were Red Bull and double espressos, but now comes the latest -- canned oxygen!

CBS 2 HD decided to examine whether this is all just hot air.

It's the latest way to boost your energy. it claims to do everything from helping your workout to boosting your memory, relieving stress to curing a hangover. Kevin DelGaudio, the inventor of instant oxygen, turned to oxygen for his own energy needs.

"You know you start falling asleep at the wheel a couple of intakes of ox and I'm wide awake," DelGaudio said.

It's all over the Web and around the world. People looking to reverse the effects of pollution and inject more energy into their lives are turning to oxygen, whether bought at a bar or now, in a can. Instant Oxygen, which claims to be 99 percent pure oxygen, is sold at the pharmacy counter of Duane Reade stores.

"It's flying off the shelves," one store employee told CBS 2 HD.

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JeffHuang

at 16:39 on August 11th, 2008

I would like to try it if anyone knows where to buy one (not online). Same concept as athletes breathing in pure oxygen on the sidelines. Not too sure about the science behind it and whether it works or not.

PEP

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 20:39 on August 11th, 2008

Jarrett Martineau, I like this story. It's good stuff. Back before they had Imitrex and similiar meds, doctors sometimes treated migraines with oxygen. It does help. Now I need to find somewhere to buy this around here!

Uwe Paschen

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 20:41 on August 11th, 2008

Jarrett Martineau, I like this story. It's good stuff.

mnmcarta

at 01:50 on August 12th, 2008

I just heard that you could be really drunk or just sick and one shot of Oxygen makes you feel better for a period of time. We never tried it so not really sure how it makes you feel but I plan on getting a shot when we go back next year.

mnmcarta has contributed a photo to this story.

Nathan A

at 01:55 on August 12th, 2008

Some friends and I took a trip from Misawa, Japan down to Tokyo in 2003 for the long Thanksgiving weekend. After drinking and partying in Roppongi until the sun was well up, we stumbled across this Oxygen Bar near our hotel. None of us had ever been to one, but we had heard that they could be very beneficial after a night of abusing ones liver and could help alleviate the inevitable headache that comes from such a night. We figured we'd been bellying up to a bar for the previous 12 hours so, we might as well give this a go too.

After getting fitted with the proper equipment, we were able to choose between many different 'flavors' of oxygen to inhale. With the flip of a switch, we could change flavors and even mix them creating aromatic combinations such as cherry/chocolate/orange or coffee/strawberry/cantaloupe - all which were quite disgusting. We found it best to stick with one flavor at a time and just enjoy it as a single aromatic entity. I personally did notice some beneficial effects from inhaling the pure O2. My head somewhat cleared, the effects of the alcohol were lessened and I was able to speak coherently once again. This was good considering we were pretty lost and had to ask for directions to get back to our hotel.

Overall, a unique experience but not something that I would seek out on a regular basis. Well, that is, unless I lived in a place like Tokyo or Beijing where the mixed smell of coffee/kiwi/yakisoba beats the stench of the outside air any day.

Nathan A has contributed a photo to this story.

Kwyssi

at 02:53 on August 12th, 2008

Oxygen bar in the downtown Vegas April 2008.

Kwyssi has contributed a photo to this story.

temptingmama

at 03:52 on August 12th, 2008

While visiting Las Vegas I noticed quite a trend of oxygen bars around the city. Boosting energy in Vegas to keep people gambling? Not unlikely!

temptingmama has contributed a photo to this story.

Yellow Chameleon

at 05:59 on August 12th, 2008

I saw quite a few oxygen bars when I was in Las Vegas!

Yellow Chameleon has contributed a photo to this story.

chayaelisheva

at 08:52 on August 12th, 2008

My friend and I were in Vegas for a wedding and we kept seeing these bars throughout all the hotels. We saw more in the Excalibur than any other hotel. I finally had to take a picture to prove to people I had told about them, that they were real.

chayaelisheva has contributed a photo to this story.

fortins2001

at 11:14 on August 12th, 2008

While on vacation in Vegas we took a much needed break to rejuvinate at an Oxygen bar. It was the first time any of us had visited one and we think it gave us a little extra energy to keep up with the Vegas nightlife!

fortins2001 has contributed a photo to this story.

southie3

at 12:44 on August 12th, 2008

I decided to give it a skeptical try. Man, was I proved wrong. I first walked in to the Oxygen bar in the Stratosphere Hotel in Las Vegas late at night and sleep deprived. I walked out of there feeling completely refreshed like I has slept for days. I had so much energy I didnt need to go to bed until well after the sun came up. Which is OK for Vegas, not so much at home when real life is calling.

southie3 has contributed a photo to this story.

Joe Mag

at 11:28 on August 14th, 2008

At an Oxygen bar in the Planet Hollywood Hotel in Las Vegas.

Joe Mag has contributed a photo to this story.

Oxygen Bar Dallas (not verified)

at 08:22 on August 19th, 2008

Hi,

I have been reading the comments posted here and would like to let everyone know that the O2 Bar is not just hype. I own the only one in Dallas, so I should know. I have it set up out in my garage, and I use nearly everyday! Not only is it relaxing, depending on the aroma (s) that you choose, you can become refreshed in a matter of minutes. I take my O2 Bar to various venues, and really have agreat time with it. I will be happy to pass along any information that I have if you would like. Go see my website at www.oxygenbardallas.com.