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Does breathing air with an increased percentage of oxygen make you more productive?

If the brain requires oxygen to function properly, does that mean that breathing air with an increased level of oxygen helps you think faster or more accurately (for example with mental calculations)?

What are the short term effects, if any, of breathing enriched air?

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You're asking two different things here. Whether increased oxygen improves productivity and the short/long-term effects of the practice. I suggest you ask about the effects in another question to get better answers. – Renan May 15 '12 at 20:51
@Renan: I didn't realize; apologies. – wizlog May 16 '12 at 1:25

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The most important effect to be aware of is oxygen toxicity. Courtesy of Wikipedia:

Oxygen toxicity is a condition resulting from the harmful effects of breathing molecular oxygen (O2) at elevated partial pressures. It is also known as oxygen toxicity syndrome, oxygen intoxication, and oxygen poisoning . . . Severe cases can result in cell damage and death, with effects most often seen in the central nervous system, lungs and eyes. Oxygen toxicity is a concern for scuba divers, those on high concentrations of supplemental oxygen (particularly premature babies), and those undergoing hyperbaric oxygen therapy . . . In recent years, oxygen has become available for recreational use in oxygen bars. The US Food and Drug Administration has warned those suffering from problems such as heart or lung disease not to use oxygen bars. Scuba divers use breathing gases containing up to 100% oxygen, and should have specific training in using such gases.

Wikipedia's oxygen bars article highlights other possible risks as well as the claimed benefits of elevated oxygen intake.

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This doesn't answer whether there is or isn't a correlation between increased oxygen consumption and productivity. – Renan May 15 '12 at 20:31
This could be an interesting answer if you gave a brief explanation of what oxygen toxicity is and the main health concerns mentioned by Wikipedia. It's not a bad source but a short explanation helps understanding why the links provided are relevant to the discussion. I apoligize for downvoting, the problem is in the question that is asking two very different things. – Renan May 15 '12 at 20:48
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Yes it does make people more productive. Recently I read an article where it said people with flagging productivity at work bought oxygen in an effort to perk them up. Oxygen bars are growing popular among employees who want to refresh themselves in order to work harder. It also boosts memory, stabilizing the nervous system.

"The instant energy received from oxygen can help you finish work quickly and thus enhance your efficiency."

Regular exercise provides enriched oxygen supply to our body. Stay fit and work efficient..!!

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Stick with the regular exercise. It's an excellent idea and also HUGELY more effective than just inhaling artificially concentrated oxygen. – Belisama May 15 '12 at 10:02
Absolutely!!@Belisama – RUPASHREE May 15 '12 at 12:19
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Can you please cite the article? – wizlog May 15 '12 at 14:25
I read about it in a magazine, but here are a few links available on net which states similar. oxyfit.co.uk/oxygen-news/… benefitof.net/benefits-of-oxygen-bar – RUPASHREE May 16 '12 at 3:53

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