Rectal Ozone Insufflation: A Comprehensive Guide with BUTT stuff

Ozone (O₃) is a highly energetic and triatomic unstable form of oxygen in the atmosphere of normal oxygen gas. [1] Ozone therapy is an alternative medical treatment that has been gaining popularity in recent times. Recent meaning of the last 150 years [2]: 

"Medical grade ozone has been used as a therapy for over 150 years, first used in Europe in the mid-1800s to disinfect drinking water and has since been used for a variety of medical purposes, including treating infections, wounds, and various chronic conditions."

One form of ozone therapy that has been gaining attention is rectal ozone insufflation (RI). This treatment involves introducing ozone gas into the rectum to treat a variety of medical conditions. [3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8] 

In this article, we will discuss the benefits of rectal ozone insufflation and how it is administered. And, the goal of adding content to the internet, which is full of overwhelming information, is to always leave you feeling empowered and comfortable with the topic. Ideally, I’d love someone to understand the fear that exists between understanding these modalities and practicing them — is simply experience.

Let’s start with Freddie's Experience:

Yes, I am that guy doing Ozone at home, in his butt. 

While I know it may sound like you already have enough GAS in your rectum, this wellness practice is especially effective, and I've covered Ozone in multiple podcasts. In a recent deep dive with Micah Lowe from Simply O3 in Episode #143 (Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher).

I have been reinvigorated to map out and break down the barriers to putting stuff in your butt, but only when the medical studies support its assistance in multiple disease models, viral expressions, bacterial infections, and even cancer.

While there are many forms of acceptable ways to administer Ozone, for the frugal and dollar conscious that are looking for the highest return on investment, RECTAL OZONE is my go-to for its direct access to the portal vein in the liver. You'll soon see once you have procured a system the sessions are pennies on the dollar, especially if you decide to go with the Stratus 3.0 from Simply O3 which comes with a 6-month guarantee and a Lifetime Warranty.

Personally, it’s helped me manage inflammation

Several inflammation markers can be reduced through rectal ozone therapy. One of the most well-studied markers is Interleukin-6 (IL-6), which is a cytokine that plays a role in promoting inflammation in the body. High levels of IL-6 have been associated with various diseases, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer. [9, 10]

In addition to IL-6, other inflammation markers that have been shown to decrease after rectal ozone therapy include C-reactive protein (CRP), Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), fibrinogen, D-dimer, urea, ferritin, LDH, and oxidative stress markers such as malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), and also increase tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) which improves antiviral and immunomodulatory activities. [7, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15]

And while these are important numbers to know...do they help me feel better? No, only trying this therapy and seeing how your body responds will do that.

What do I feel after rectal ozone

• Better Energy
• Less pain
• Mental Acuity
• Increased Recovery after Weights
• Quick recovery from colds and viruses (the 19th) 

Ozone Therapy's Mechanism of Action

Once absorbed into the colon wall and bloodstream, ozone can activate various physiological mechanisms, including [16, 17, 18]:

1. Increased oxygen delivery: Ozone gas can help improve oxygen delivery to tissues by stimulating the release of oxygen from hemoglobin and increasing blood flow. 
2. Immune system modulation: Ozone gas can stimulate the production of cytokines, which are molecules that regulate the immune response, and activate immune cells, such as macrophages and natural killer cells. 
3. Anti-inflammatory effects: Ozone gas can help reduce inflammation by reducing the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin-1 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha.
4. Antioxidant effects: Ozone gas can stimulate the production of antioxidants, such as glutathione, which can help protect cells from oxidative damage.

Quick Disclaimer: 

I may have certifications in functional health, personal training, PEMF therapy, and gut health, and even have a cancer survivor badge of honor, but I am not a licensed physician. So, when it comes to my insights and research, please don't take it as medical advice. I'm just here to share some healthy tips, not perform surgery or prescribe drugs (unless you count Bone BROTH as a drug, in which case, I'm all for it!).

Rectal Ozone Insufflation

What is Rectal Ozone Insufflation?

Rectal ozone insufflation (RI) is a medical treatment that involves introducing ozone gas into the rectum. This treatment is used to treat a variety of medical conditions, including inflammatory bowel disease, autoimmune diseases, and chronic infections.

How is Rectal Ozone Insufflation Administered?

To administer rectal ozone insufflation, a catheter is inserted into the rectum. The ozone gas is then introduced into the rectum using a 3-chambered bag that allows the concentration of the ozone to be controlled. The ozone concentration used ranges from 10-40 ug/ml (setting 4 - 8 on the Stratus 3.0) with a volume range of 200ml - 400ml. The treatment is typically performed after an enema, colonic, or bowel movement to ensure that the rectum is clean and ready to receive the ozone.

Freddie's advice: I use these 3-Chamber Bags marked with the (ml) for each pocket and this allows me to estimate dosing.

Protocol for Rectal Ozone Insufflation

The protocol for rectal ozone insufflation involves an initial treatment period of two weeks with a frequency of two treatments per week using a 200ml concentration at setting 4 - 6. After the initial two weeks, the treatment frequency is increased to five times per week with the same concentration and volume for two additional weeks. After this period, the concentration is increased to 400 ml with a setting of 5 - 7 and continued at a frequency of five times per week. 

Big Personalized Checkbox here: Listen to your body, listen to your body. Often when I was just beginning ozone, I would get really bad gas as the gram-negative bacteria were dying in my gut and sometimes I would have Diarrhea. Today nothing much happens except positive feelings of energy and clear-headedness.

Helpful Hints for Rectal Ozone Insufflation

When administering rectal ozone insufflation, it is important to keep positive pressure on the bag or syringe to prevent a backflow of fecal matter. The catheter should be inserted no more than three inches to allow absorption into the portal vein. (The catheters I use from Simply 03 are marked clearly with a black line.)

It is also important to note that ozone absorbs into the mucosal lining of the colon quickly, and there is no need to hold the ozone for longer than 20-30 seconds.

To move the gas through the catheter I actually roll the insufflation bag, slowly squeezing the air into my colon over 10-15 minutes. From my experience, this causes less gas after a session and less distress in my belly.

Precautions for Rectal Ozone Insufflation

Rectal ozone insufflation is a powerful systemic treatment, and it is recommended to avoid doing both an IV ozone and rectal ozone treatment on the same day. A Herxheimer reaction is possible after a rectal ozone treatment, which is characterized by excessive fatigue, rash, and/or fever/chills. If a Herx reaction occurs, it is recommended to discontinue the ozone treatment for 4-7 days and then start on a lower amount of gamma and time as previously administered.

Research of Rectal Ozone Therapy

In this section, we will explore the potential benefits of rectal ozone therapy and review some of the most prominent studies on the topic. Once you start searching online I need to say there are lots and lots of opinions on ozone, like assholes, everyone has one. I tend to examine the studies on Pubmed, the National Institute of Health, and University studies which are robust in nature.

Ozone and Breast Cancer

The study investigated the cytotoxic effect of ozone on breast cancer cells and human umbilical vein endothelium cells, as well as its impact on the cancer treatment process. The findings of the study suggest that ozone can be used as an antimetastatic procedure and as an adjuvant in the treatment of cancer patients. Ozone therapy alters the complex tumor process by influencing oxygen metabolism and oxygenation regulation, and by boosting oxygen availability and microcirculation in the tumor, thereby halting tumor growth and preventing the development of metastasis. Ozone therapy also increases the production of cellular antioxidant enzymes that can protect against persistent oxidative stress and modulates the immune system, allowing for the regeneration of the immune response against cancerous cells. The study showed that ozone treatment induced an anti-cancer effect on breast cancer cell lines, with a decrease in cell viability observed on the third day compared to the control. The RT-PCR results showed an increase in pro-apoptotic genes in breast cancer cells and a decrease in the anti-apoptotic gene Bcl-2, indicating that ozone is effective in cancer. The study also showed that ozone treatment had little cytotoxicity on normal HUVEC cells and can enhance apoptotic gene expression.

Yıldırım, M., Erkişi, S., Yılmaz, H., Ünsal, N., İnaç, E., Tanrıver, Y., & Koçak, P. (2022). The apoptotic effect of ozone therapy on mitochondrial activity of highly metastatic breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231 using in vitro approaches. Journal of interventional medicine, 5(2), 64–71. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jimed.2022.03.004 

Chemotherapy-induced Pain Syndrome with Ozone

This study reports on the preliminary experience of using ozone treatment to modulate oxidative stress in chronic pain secondary to chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN). Seven patients with grade II or III CIPN received ozone treatment by rectal insufflation. Pain was assessed using the visual analog scale (VAS). The results showed that all patients, except one, experienced clinically relevant pain improvement. The toxicity grade improved in half of the patients. The study concludes that ozone treatment could be an effective treatment for chronic pain secondary to CIPN, and further research is warranted.

Clavo, B., Rodríguez-Abreu, D., Galván, S., Federico, M., Martínez-Sánchez, G., Ramallo-Fariña, Y., Antonelli, C., Benítez, G., Rey-Baltar, D., Jorge, I. J., Rodríguez-Esparragón, F., & Serrano-Aguilar, P. (2022). Long-term improvement by ozone treatment in chronic pain secondary to chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy: A preliminary report.Frontiers in physiology,13, 935269. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2022.935269

Relieving Diarrhea in AIDS Patients

A study published in the Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology investigated the effectiveness of rectal ozone therapy in relieving diarrhea in AIDS patients. The study found that ozone therapy significantly reduced the frequency and severity of diarrhea in patients with advanced AIDS-related complex (ARC) and AIDS. The results suggest that ozone therapy may be a safe and effective treatment option for AIDS-related diarrhea.

Carpendale, M. T., Freeberg, J., & Griffiss, J. M. (1993). Does ozone alleviate AIDS diarrhea?.Journal of clinical gastroenterology,17(2), 142–145. https://doi.org/10.1097/00004836-199309000-00010

Effect of Rectal Ozone (O3) in Severe COVID-19 Pneumonia: Preliminary Results

The aim of that study was to evaluate the effectiveness of rectal ozone (O₃) in COVID-19 patients with severe pneumonia admitted at Hospital Universitario Santa Cristina, Madrid. The treatment protocol consisted of 5 sessions (1 session/day) of intra-rectal ozone, applied in a volume of 100 mL and a concentration of 35 μg/mL. Results: the patients improved oxygen saturation, as observed by the lower number of desaturations and the lower supply of O₂. Biomarkers of inflammation decreased (fibrinogen, D-dimer, urea, ferritin, LDH, IL-6, and CRP). Finally, the radiological signs of bilateral viral pneumonitis improved between 1 and 2 grades based on Taylor’s radiological scale. Rectal ozone decreases O₂ supply and improves O₂ saturation, decreases inflammation biomarkers, and improves Taylor’s radiological grade in patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia.

Fernández-Cuadros, M. E., Albaladejo-Florín, M. J., Álava-Rabasa, S., Usandizaga-Elio, I., Martinez-Quintanilla Jimenez, D., Peña-Lora, D., Neira-Borrajo, I., López-Muñoz, M. J., Rodríguez-de-Cía, J., & Pérez-Moro, O. S. (2020). Effect of Rectal Ozone (O₃) in Severe COVID-19 Pneumonia: Preliminary Results. SN comprehensive clinical medicine, 2(9), 1328–1336. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42399-020-00374-1 

Efficacy of ozone adjuvant therapy in COVID-19 patients: A meta-analysis study

The aim of that meta-analysis was to widely assess the effects of ozone as adjuvant therapy in COVID-19 patients. PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane, ProQuest, Springer, and Sage journals were searched systematically until April 2022. Results: The results of four randomized clinical trials (RCTs) and four case-control studies with a total of 371 COVID-19 positive patients were analyzed. The OZ group patients had a shorter length of hospital stay (P > 0.05), lower ICU admissions (P > 0.05), and lower mortality rates (P < 0.05) than the ST group cases. After treatment, 41% more COVID-19 patients had negative PCR tests than the ST group (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Ozone therapy was effective significantly on PCR test and LDH serum levels, as well as mortality based on overall estimation. Concerning the length of hospital stay and ICU admissions, although the results were insignificant, their effect sizes were notable clinically.

Jafari-Oori, M., Vahedian-Azimi, A., Ghorbanzadeh, K., Sepahvand, E., Dehi, M., Ebadi, A., & Izadi, M. (2022). Efficacy of ozone adjuvant therapy in COVID-19 patients: A meta-analysis study. Frontiers in medicine, 9, 1037749. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2022.1037749 

Systemic Ozone Therapy by Rectal Insufflation for Immunoglobulin A Deficiency

A 2018 study investigated the use of rectal ozone therapy in patients with immunoglobulin A (IgA) deficiency. The study found that ozone therapy produced significant increases in IgG and IgM levels, which are important markers of immune function. Additionally, ozone therapy was found to reduce oxidative stress and improve antioxidant enzyme activity. The study concluded that rectal ozone therapy is a safe and effective treatment option for IgA deficiency.

Díaz-Luis, J., Menéndez-Cepero, S., Macías-Abraham, C., & Fariñas-Rodríguez, L. (2018). Systemic Ozone Therapy by Rectal Insufflation for Immunoglobulin A Deficiency. MEDICC review, 20(1), 29. https://doi.org/10.37757/MR2018.V20.N1.7 

Modulating Chronic Pain

Several studies have also investigated the potential anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects of ozone therapy. One study published found that ozone therapy reduced pain and improved knee function in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Another 2022 study review concluded that "for knee osteoarthritis and lumbar disk herniation, evidence on safety and efficacy from systematic reviews and meta-analysis...are high and allow a recommendation level B, the same observed in most of the techniques used presently in pain units".

Clavo, B., Rodríguez-Abreu, D., Galván, S., Federico, M., Martínez-Sánchez, G., Ramallo-Fariña, Y., Antonelli, C., Benítez, G., Rey-Baltar, D., Jorge, I. J., Rodríguez-Esparragón, F., & Serrano-Aguilar, P. (2022). Long-term improvement by ozone treatment in chronic pain secondary to chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy: A preliminary report. Frontiers in physiology, 13, 935269. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2022.935269 

Hidalgo-Tallón, F. J., Torres-Morera, L. M., Baeza-Noci, J., Carrillo-Izquierdo, M. D., & Pinto-Bonilla, R. (2022). Updated Review on Ozone Therapy in Pain Medicine. Frontiers in physiology, 13, 840623. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2022.840623 

In conclusion, rectal ozone therapy is a promising treatment option for a variety of health conditions, including diarrhea in AIDS patients, severe COVID-19 pneumonia, immunoglobulin A deficiency, inflammation and pain, and even cancer. While more research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms of action and potential side effects of rectal ozone therapy, the available evidence suggests that it is a safe and effective complementary treatment option for many patients. As always, it is important to consult with a medical professional before beginning any new treatment regimen.

Conclusion and Further Support

Rectal ozone insufflation is a promising alternative medical treatment for a variety of medical conditions. With a controlled protocol and helpful hints, this treatment can be safely administered to patients seeking alternative treatments. It is important to consult with a medical practitioner before starting this treatment, and any side effects should be immediately reported. 

🔥 I also highly recommend Stratus 3.0 from Simply O3 — my favorite tool for Ozone Therapy!

References

1  Yıldırım, M., Erkişi, S., Yılmaz, H., Ünsal, N., İnaç, E., Tanrıver, Y., & Koçak, P. (2022). The apoptotic effect of ozone therapy on mitochondrial activity of highly metastatic breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231 using in vitro approaches. Journal of interventional medicine, 5(2), 64–71. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jimed.2022.03.004 

2  Bocci V. (1999). Biological and clinical effects of ozone. Has ozone therapy a future in medicine? British journal of biomedical science, 56(4), 270–279. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10795372/ 

3  Viebahn-Haensler, R., & León Fernández, O. S. (2021). Ozone in Medicine. The Low-Dose Ozone Concept and Its Basic Biochemical Mechanisms of Action in Chronic Inflammatory Diseases. International journal of molecular sciences, 22(15), 7890. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22157890 

4  Loprete, F., & Vaiano, F. (2017). The use of ozonated water and rectal insufflation in patients with intestinal dysbiosis. Ozone Therapy, 2(3). https://doi.org/10.4081/ozone.2017.7304 

5  Hendawy, H. A., Mosallam, W., Abuelnaga, M. E., & Sabry, A. M. (2021). Old Treatment for a New Disease: Can Rectal Ozone Insufflation Be Used for COVID-19 Management? A Case Report. SN comprehensive clinical medicine, 3(6), 1424–1427. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42399-021-00895-3 

6  Zaky, S., Fouad, E. A., & Kotb, H. I. (2011). The effect of rectal ozone on the portal vein oxygenation and pharmacokinetics of propranolol in liver cirrhosis (a preliminary human study). British journal of clinical pharmacology, 71(3), 411–415. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2125.2010.03851.x 

7  Fernández-Cuadros, M. E., Albaladejo-Florín, M. J., Álava-Rabasa, S., Gallego-Galiana, J., Pérez-Cruz, G. F., Usandizaga-Elio, I., Pacios, E., Torres-García, D. E., Peña-Lora, D., Casique-Bocanegra, L., López-Muñoz, M. J., Rodríguez-de-Cía, J., & Pérez-Moro, O. S. (2021). Compassionate Use of Rectal Ozone (O₃) in Severe COVID-19 Pneumonia: a Case-Control Study. SN comprehensive clinical medicine, 3(5), 1185–1199. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42399-021-00849-9 

8  Fernandez-Cuadros, M.; Albaladejo-Florin, M.J.; Pérez-Moro, O.; Rodríguez-de-Cía, J.; Hernández, A.; Alava-Rabasa, S.; Mohammed, D.; Gondzurova, A.; Molnar, M.; Kulinova, M.; Vyletelka, J. Multicentric Study on the Effect of Rectal Ozone on COVID-19: the Spanish and Slovakian Experience.. Preprints 2022, 2022030272. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202203.0272.v1 

9  Qu, D., Liu, J., Lau, C. W., & Huang, Y. (2014). IL-6 in diabetes and cardiovascular complications. British journal of pharmacology, 171(15), 3595–3603. https://doi.org/10.1111/bph.12713 

10  Hirano T. (2021). IL-6 in inflammation, autoimmunity and cancer. International immunology, 33(3), 127–148. https://doi.org/10.1093/intimm/dxaa078 

11  Fernández-Cuadros, Marcos & Pérez Moro, Olga & Florin, María Jesus & Algarra-Lopez, Ruben. (2018). Ozone Decreases Biomarkers of Inflamation (C-Reactive Protein and Erytrocyte Sedimentation Rate) and Improves Pain, Function and Quality of Life in Knee Osteoarthrtitis Patients: A Before-and-After Study and Review of the Literature. Middle East Journal of Rehabilitation and Health. In Press. http://dx.doi.org/10.5812/mejrh.64507 

12  Martínez-Sánchez, G., Delgado-Roche, L., Díaz-Batista, A., Pérez-Davison, G., & Re, L. (2012). Effects of ozone therapy on haemostatic and oxidative stress index in coronary artery disease. European journal of pharmacology, 691(1-3), 156–162. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejphar.2012.07.010 

13  Clavo, B., Rodríguez-Esparragón, F., Rodríguez-Abreu, D., Martínez-Sánchez, G., Llontop, P., Aguiar-Bujanda, D., Fernández-Pérez, L., & Santana-Rodríguez, N. (2019). Modulation of Oxidative Stress by Ozone Therapy in the Prevention and Treatment of Chemotherapy-Induced Toxicity: Review and Prospects. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland), 8(12), 588. https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox8120588 

14  Zamora, Z. B., Borrego, A., López, O. Y., Delgado, R., González, R., Menéndez, S., Hernández, F., & Schulz, S. (2005). Effects of ozone oxidative preconditioning on TNF-alpha release and antioxidant-prooxidant intracellular balance in mice during endotoxic shock. Mediators of inflammation, 2005(1), 16–22. https://doi.org/10.1155/MI.2005.16 

15  Paulesu, L., Luzzi, E., & Bocci, V. (1991). Studies on the biological effects of ozone: 2. Induction of tumor necrosis factor (TNF-alpha) on human leucocytes. Lymphokine and cytokine research, 10(5), 409–412. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1768744/ 

16  Sagai, M., & Bocci, V. (2011). Mechanisms of Action Involved in Ozone Therapy: Is healing induced via a mild oxidative stress?. Medical gas research, 1, 29. https://doi.org/10.1186/2045-9912-1-29 

17  Bocci, V. A., Zanardi, I., & Travagli, V. (2011). Ozone acting on human blood yields a hormetic dose-response relationship. Journal of translational medicine, 9, 66. https://doi.org/10.1186/1479-5876-9-66 

18  Zeng, J., & Lu, J. (2018). Mechanisms of action involved in ozone-therapy in skin diseases. International immunopharmacology, 56, 235–241. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.intimp.2018.01.040