Chronic Lyme disease is one of the most frustrating conditions a patient can face. Symptoms ranging from fatigue, joint pain, and cognitive fog to autonomic dysfunction and persistent inflammation often continue long after standard antibiotic protocols are completed. For patients who feel they have exhausted conventional options, regenerative and integrative therapies are becoming an important part of the conversation.
One of those therapies is EBO2, an advanced form of extracorporeal blood oxygenation and ozonation. At Evolve Medical, we use EBO2 as part of a broader treatment strategy for patients with chronic and post-treatment Lyme symptoms. Here is what EBO2 is, how it may help, and what to consider before pursuing it.
What Is EBO2?
EBO2 is a comprehensive blood therapy protocol that goes well beyond traditional ozone treatments. During the procedure, two IV lines are placed. Blood is continuously drawn from one arm, passed through a specialized filtration device, exposed to a medical-grade mixture of ozone and oxygen along with photobiomodulation using UVA, UVC, red, violet, green, and infrared light, then returned to your body in real time through the opposite arm.
This process treats approximately 4 to 6 liters of blood in a single session, significantly more than traditional autohemotherapy or standard ozone protocols, which treat only a small fraction of total blood volume. The higher exposure allows EBO2 to deliver therapeutic effects that may be relevant for complex, systemic conditions like chronic Lyme.
Why Ozone for Lyme?
Borrelia burgdorferi, the spirochete that causes Lyme disease, is notoriously difficult to eradicate. It can shift between active and dormant forms, hide within biofilms, and persist in tissues where antibiotics may have limited reach. Co-infections such as Babesia, Bartonella, and Anaplasma further complicate the picture.
Medical ozone has been studied for its broad biological effects, which include:
- Oxidative stress on pathogens: ozone-induced oxidative pressure can be unfavorable to many bacteria, viruses, and parasites, including those that thrive in low-oxygen environments.
- Biofilm disruption: research suggests ozone may help break down biofilms, the protective communities that allow chronic infections to persist.
- Immune modulation: ozone influences cytokine signaling and can help recalibrate an immune response that has become either over- or under-reactive.
- Improved oxygen delivery: ozone therapy increases red blood cell flexibility and oxygen release at the tissue level, supporting cellular energy.
- Mitochondrial support: many Lyme patients suffer from significant mitochondrial dysfunction, and oxidative therapies may help restore cellular function.
Where EBO2 Fits Within a Lyme Treatment Plan
EBO2 is not a replacement for working with a Lyme-literate medical team. It is an adjunctive therapy that can be integrated alongside antibiotics, antimicrobial herbs, immune support, detoxification protocols, and other interventions.
At Evolve Medical, we typically consider EBO2 for patients who fall into one of several categories: those with persistent symptoms following completed antibiotic therapy, those struggling with severe Herxheimer reactions, those dealing with chronic inflammation and oxidative stress, and those whose progress has stalled despite a strong baseline protocol.
Every patient is different. A treatment plan is built only after a thorough evaluation with Dr. Hasib M. Sarij that includes your full Lyme history, current labs, co-infections if relevant, and your overall health profile.
What to Expect During an EBO2 Session
An EBO2 session at Evolve Medical typically takes 2 to 3 hours. You are seated comfortably while small catheters are placed in each arm. Blood flows out of one arm, through the EBO2 circuit where it is filtered, oxygenated, ozonated, and exposed to multiple light wavelengths, and back into the other arm in a continuous, closed loop. The process is monitored throughout to ensure safety and proper flow.
Most patients describe the session as relaxing. Some notice a sense of warmth, a slight metallic taste, or mild fatigue afterward. Many report feeling clearer or more energetic in the days following treatment, though responses vary based on individual factors.
Because EBO2 treats more of your blood per session than EBOO or standard ozone therapy, most patients require fewer total sessions to achieve meaningful results.
Managing Herxheimer Reactions
A common concern for Lyme patients pursuing any antimicrobial therapy is the Herxheimer reaction, the temporary worsening of symptoms that occurs when pathogens die off and the body must clear the resulting debris. EBO2 can sometimes trigger a Herxheimer response, particularly in the early sessions.
Because of this, we recommend a thoughtful, gradual approach. Patients are typically supported with appropriate hydration, binders, antioxidant nutrients, and other modalities designed to help the body clear toxins efficiently. Targeted IV nutrient therapy and peptide therapy are often used alongside EBO2 to support this process.
Safety, Candidacy, and What to Discuss With Your Physician
EBO2 has a strong safety profile when delivered by a trained team in a clinical setting. That said, it is not appropriate for everyone. Certain conditions, including specific bleeding disorders, G6PD deficiency, hyperthyroidism in some cases, and pregnancy, can be contraindications or require additional caution.
Before pursuing EBO2, you should discuss your full medical history with your physician, including any medications, supplements, prior treatments for Lyme, and any co-existing conditions. A complete picture allows your treatment team to design a protocol that is both safe and tailored to your needs.
Key Takeaways
- EBO2 is an advanced ozone therapy that processes 4 to 6 liters of blood per session, significantly more than traditional ozone protocols.
- Medical ozone has been studied for effects on pathogens, biofilms, immune signaling, and oxygen delivery, all of which are relevant in chronic Lyme.
- EBO2 is an adjunctive therapy, used alongside other Lyme treatment strategies, not a stand-alone cure.
- Sessions typically take 2 to 3 hours, with most patients requiring fewer total sessions than traditional ozone therapy.
- Candidacy depends on individual health factors and should be determined through a thorough medical evaluation.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. EBO2 is an adjunctive therapy that may support patients with chronic and post-treatment Lyme symptoms by influencing immune function, oxygen delivery, and oxidative biology. It is not a stand-alone cure and works best alongside a comprehensive Lyme treatment plan that may include antibiotics, antimicrobial herbs, immune support, and detoxification protocols.
Traditional ozone therapy treats a small volume of blood in a single bag. EBO2 is a more comprehensive protocol that uses two IV lines to continuously process 4 to 6 liters of blood through a specialized filtration device, then exposes it to ozone, oxygen, and photobiomodulation using multiple light wavelengths before returning it to your body in real time. This allows for higher therapeutic exposure in a single session.
Because EBO2 treats significantly more blood per session than traditional ozone therapy, most patients require fewer sessions to achieve meaningful results. The exact number depends on your symptom severity, response to treatment, and overall plan. Your physician will design a protocol after a thorough evaluation of your Lyme history and current health status.
Yes, particularly in the early sessions. A Herxheimer reaction is a temporary worsening of symptoms that occurs when pathogens die off and the body must clear the resulting debris. At Evolve Medical, we use a thoughtful, gradual approach and support patients with appropriate hydration, binders, and antioxidant nutrients to help the body clear toxins efficiently and minimize discomfort.
Not necessarily. EBO2 is often integrated alongside antibiotic protocols, antimicrobial herbs, and other Lyme treatments. Whether and how to coordinate medications with EBO2 sessions is a decision made between you and your physician after reviewing your full treatment plan.
Each session takes approximately 2 to 3 hours and is performed in a supervised clinical setting. You are seated comfortably while small catheters are placed in each arm. Blood flows through the EBO2 circuit in a continuous, closed loop, with continuous monitoring throughout. Most patients describe the experience as relaxing.
Schedule a Consultation at Evolve Medical
Evolve Medical is a physician-led regenerative and functional medicine practice with two Long Island locations in Deer Park and Dix Hills. To learn whether this therapy is appropriate for your situation, schedule a consultation with Dr. Hasib M. Sarij and the Evolve Medical team. Every treatment plan is built around a thorough evaluation of your health history, current symptoms, and personal goals.
(631) 253-1313
Medical disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified physician about your specific health concerns.
