As China’s most important national examination, known as gaokao, looms, many students are flocking to hospitals to inhale oxygen in the belief that doing so will “recharge” their brains.
Gaokao refers to the country’s national university entrance exam which takes place between June 6 and 8 every year.
Many people believe it can make or break a young person’s future since scores in the test will largely determine in which university and what major a student can study.
In the past few years, posts introducing the benefits of inhaling oxygen for students sitting for gaokao have gone viral on social media.
The process, usually carried out in the hyperbaric chamber department of hospitals, is alleged to help students improve their sleep, enhance their memory and relieve anxiety, the state media CCTV reported.
Yongfeng County People’s Hospital, in eastern Jiangxi province, launched the service on May 23 and has received more than 30 students in a week.
The 90-minute-long service costs 96 yuan (US$15). The hospital said it was surprised by the popularity of the oxygen inhalation service, the report said.
“Breathing in the high concentration oxygen can increase oxygen levels in blood and help organs repair or recover their functions. The process is usually adopted to treat diseases related with blood or oxygen shortage,” Dai Fanbing, a doctor from the hospital’s hyperbaric chamber treatment centre, told the media.
In Chengdu, Sichuan province, southwestern China, Huaxi No 4 Hospital has provided the oxygen inhalation service for students sitting the gaokao for several years.
“After taking in oxygen, I have a better sleep and my mind has become more active in the daytime,” a male student was quoted as saying.
A father said his child has undergone the process four times and was satisfied with its effect.
An internet user shared his experience of being in the hyperbaric chamber by writing: “The chamber is quiet. I could only hear the sound of my breathing. I was in a daze and soon fell asleep. After that, my brain seemed to be restarted and I had a clear mind.”
Dai from the Jiangxi hospital reminded the public that inhaling oxygen in the hyperbaric chamber is not suitable for everyone and a doctor should be consulted.
“People with emphysema pulmonum, tympanitis and serious hypertension are forbidden from using this service,” said Dai.
“I take a cautious attitude about this trend, and that students and parents chase the oxygen inhalation and regard it as some kind of magic for gaokao preparation,” added the doctor.
Wu Peixue, a psychological specialist in Jiangxi, said there are numerous “simple and scientific” ways to relieve pressure, like enough sleep, regular exercise, basking in the sun and having a hobby.
“I hope the public do not have a blind faith in so-called magic remedies for gaokao preparation. They just serve as a psychological placebo. Instead of relying on those external things, it is better to adjust your daily routines,” said Wu.
It is estimated over 13.2 million students will attend the gaokao test this year, a slight drop from that of last year.