• Chinese students are paying for oxygen inhalation sessions in hospital hyperbaric chambers ahead of the Gaokao, hoping to improve memory, sleep quality, and ease exam anxiety.
• Yongfeng County People's Hospital in Jiangxi Province reported more than 30 student bookings within a week of launching the service, which costs 96 yuan (US$15) for a 90-minute session.
• Doctors and psychologists caution that oxygen therapy is not suitable for everyone and should not be viewed as a proven way to improve examination performance.
As millions of students sit China's high-stakes Gaokao university entrance examination, some families are turning to oxygen inhalation therapy in the hope that it may improve memory, sleep, and stress management. Hospitals in parts of China have reported growing demand for sessions conducted in hyperbaric oxygen chambers, a treatment traditionally used for specific medical conditions rather than academic preparation.
The Gaokao, held annually in June, plays a major role in determining university admissions across China.
More than 12.9 million students are taking the examination this year, prompting heightened interest in strategies that may provide an academic or psychological edge.
According to China Central Television (CCTV), oxygen inhalation sessions conducted in hospital hyperbaric chambers have gained popularity among students preparing for the Gaokao, with many believing the treatment can improve memory, enhance sleep quality, and ease exam-related anxiety.
Yongfeng County People's Hospital in Jiangxi Province launched the service on May 23, 2026, and reported that more than 30 students used it within the first week. The hospital charges 96 yuan (US$15) for a 90-minute session.
Similar services have been available for several years at Huaxi Fourth Hospital in Chengdu, Sichuan Province. One student told Chinese media, "After taking in oxygen, I have a better sleep and my mind has become more active in the daytime."
Explaining the treatment, Dr. Dai Fanbing of Yongfeng County People's Hospital's Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Center said, "Breathing in the high concentration oxygen can increase oxygen levels in blood and help organs repair or recover their functions."
He added that the therapy is generally used to treat conditions linked to poor circulation or oxygen deficiency rather than to improve academic performance.
Despite its growing popularity among Gaokao candidates, health professionals caution that oxygen therapy should not be viewed as a guaranteed way to improve examination performance. Speaking to Chinese media, Dr. Dai Fanbing of Yongfeng County People's Hospital said the treatment is primarily used for conditions related to poor circulation or oxygen deficiency rather than exam preparation.
Dr. Dai also stressed that the therapy is not suitable for everyone. "People with emphysema pulmonum, tympanitis and serious hypertension are forbidden from using this service," he said.
He added that students and parents should avoid treating the practice as a "magic" solution for achieving better results.
Psychological specialist Wu Peixue of Jiangxi Province echoed the need for caution. He said students should not place blind faith in so-called exam remedies, noting that such approaches "may be closer to a psychological placebo effect" than a proven strategy for academic success.
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The growing interest in oxygen inhalation sessions reflects the intense pressure surrounding China's university entrance examination, which plays a major role in determining higher education opportunities. As competition increases, students and parents often seek strategies they believe could provide an academic advantage.
Psychological specialist Wu Peixue of Jiangxi Province encouraged students to focus on established stress-management practices instead. He pointed to adequate sleep, regular exercise, sunlight exposure, and personal hobbies as practical ways to manage exam-related stress.
Wu said to SCMP, "Instead of relying on those external things, it is better to adjust your daily routines."
While students interviewed by Chinese media described feeling more rested after treatment, health professionals continue to emphasize balanced daily habits and informed medical advice over unproven exam-preparation trends.
As competition increases, students and parents often seek strategies they believe could provide an academic advantage.
(Rh/TP/MSM)
