Gwyneth Paltrow and Ozone Therapy: What She Said and What It Is

In the news · from a March 2023 interview

Gwyneth Paltrow said on Dr. Will Cole's podcast The Art of Being Well in March 2023 that she has used rectal ozone therapy, calling it "pretty weird" but "very helpful." Here's what she said, what rectal ozone therapy actually is, and what to know before trying it.

What did Gwyneth Paltrow say about ozone therapy?

Asked about the strangest wellness habit she has tried, Paltrow answered: "I have used ozone therapy, uh, rectally." She laughed, asked "Can I say that?", and added, "It's pretty weird, but it's been very helpful" [1].

The clip spread widely, and Entertainment Tonight reported it on March 15, 2023 [1]. She didn't say what she used it for or how often. That's the full extent of what she said publicly about ozone in that interview, so we won't guess beyond it.

What is rectal ozone therapy?

Rectal ozone insufflation is one of the most common ways people do ozone therapy at home. A small volume of oxygen-ozone gas, made by a medical ozone generator from pure oxygen, is passed through a thin, soft catheter into the rectum. The gas is absorbed through the wall of the colon. Concentration and volume are measured, and people usually start low and build up slowly.

It's used two ways. Locally, for the gut. And as a whole-body method, because the colon wall absorbs the signals ozone creates into the bloodstream, which is why it's often compared to IV ozone. See IV ozone vs rectal ozone for how the two stack up.

Why do people use it?

People turn to ozone therapy for things like low energy, recurring infections, gut problems and pain. The idea behind it is that a small, measured dose of ozone triggers the body's own antioxidant, immune and circulation responses. We explain that in plain language in how ozone therapy works.

The research is growing, and it's uneven. Some uses have good trials behind them and others have very little. Results vary from person to person, and ozone therapy isn't a cure for any disease.

Is rectal ozone therapy safe?

Done correctly, rectal insufflation is considered one of the gentler methods. The most common complaints are mild bloating, gas or cramping, which usually pass quickly. The rules that matter most:

• Never breathe ozone gas. Keep it in a closed system and use it in a ventilated room.
• Start at a low concentration and volume and increase slowly.
• Check the cautions first. Don't use it if you're pregnant, and talk to a practitioner if you have a health condition or take medication.

Read more in the safety of ozone therapy.

How do you do it at home?

Our full guide covers the equipment, doses and step-by-step method: rectal ozone therapy, and the exact dosing schedule is in the step-by-step rectal ozone protocol. If you're new to ozone, start with Start here, five short reads in order.

MediSkill reports what public figures say about ozone therapy. Their comments are their own and aren't an endorsement of MediSkill.

Sources

1. Entertainment Tonight. "Gwyneth Paltrow Reveals the 'Weirdest' Wellness Trend She's Ever Tried, and It Involved Her Rectum." March 15, 2023. etonline.com