Scientists complete first human “Butt-breathing” trial

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Researchers in Japan have finished the initial safety tests of a new method called enteral ventilation. This involves delivering oxygen through the rectum instead of the lungs.

This process explores innovative methods of helping people with breathing difficulties by delivering oxygen to their bodies in a different way, giving their lungs a chance to recover.

A study published on October 20, 2025, examined how the body reacts to perfluorodecalin, a liquid that can carry oxygen. Twenty-seven healthy men between the ages of 20 and 45 participated, receiving between 250 and 1500 milliliters of the liquid and holding it in their bodies for one hour.

The trial results

The study showed no significant safety concerns. Some participants experienced minor digestive issues like bloating or stomach discomfort, but all medical tests for blood and organ function were normal.

The current testing hasn’t confirmed if the method successfully gets oxygen into the blood. Researchers plan to conduct further trials specifically to measure how well oxygen is transferred using a special liquid called oxygenated perfluorocarbon.

This research expands on previous studies with animals, which demonstrated that mammals could survive with low oxygen levels when oxygen was delivered through the rectum. Though still in the early stages of development, scientists believe this method could potentially offer a life-saving oxygen source for patients with severely damaged lungs who can’t breathe on their own.

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2025-11-01 17:48