By Venturis Clinic, Oklahoma City · Updated October 2026
UBI therapy, or ultraviolet blood irradiation, is a treatment in which a small amount of your blood is exposed to controlled ultraviolet light and then returned to your body. It has a long history, dating back to the 1930s and 1940s, and is offered today at integrative clinics as part of broader care plans. At Venturis Clinic in Oklahoma City, UBI is performed by licensed medical staff under our medical director after a Good Faith Exam.
What is ultraviolet blood irradiation?
UBI (sometimes written UVBI or called photoluminescence) exposes blood to specific wavelengths of ultraviolet light under carefully controlled conditions. In a typical session, a measured volume of blood is drawn into a sterile system, passed through a UV light chamber, and returned through the IV. Only a small portion of total blood volume is treated in a session.
A brief history
UBI was used widely in the United States in the 1940s and 1950s, and early reports were published in American surgical journals. Its use declined in the West after antibiotics became widely available, while research continued in Russia and other Eastern European countries. Modern reviews by researchers at the Wellman Center for Photomedicine at Massachusetts General Hospital have revisited UBI, discussing its proposed effects on immune cells and blood and calling for more investigation (Wu, Hu and Hamblin, 2016; Hamblin, 2017).
How UBI is thought to work
Researchers have proposed several ways UV light may interact with blood, including effects on immune cells such as neutrophils and dendritic cells and on blood lipids. These reviews also note that UBI’s oxidative character may share some mechanisms with ozone therapy (Hamblin, 2017). The same reviews are clear that UBI remains controversial in Western medicine and needs more modern clinical research. We share that balanced view with every patient.
UBI, EBOO and ozone: how they fit together
UBI, EBOO and IV ozone are all ways of treating blood outside the body and returning it. Some integrative clinicians combine UBI with ozone, or schedule it alongside IV nutrient therapy or intravenous laser therapy. Which combination, if any, makes sense for you is decided after your Good Faith Exam.
Who may consider UBI
Patients who ask us about UBI are often adults living with long-standing concerns such as lingering post-viral symptoms, recurrent infections, chronic fatigue or inflammatory conditions, who want a supervised option as part of a broader plan. UBI is not a substitute for antibiotics or emergency care for an active serious infection.
Who should not have UBI, or needs extra care
- Pregnancy
- Photosensitivity disorders, or medications that increase light sensitivity
- Bleeding or clotting disorders, or blood thinner use
- Very low blood pressure, recent heart attack or stroke, or unstable heart rhythm
- Difficult IV access or a history of fainting with IVs
- G6PD deficiency if UBI is combined with ozone
What a UBI visit looks like
- Good Faith Exam and labs. We review your history, medications and goals, and order screening labs as needed.
- IV placement. Our nursing team places an IV line.
- Treatment. A measured amount of blood passes through a sterile UV chamber and is returned. Many sessions take under an hour, including setup.
- Aftercare. Hydrate and resume normal activities. Most people feel fine afterward.
Safety and side effects
When performed with sterile equipment by trained staff, UBI is generally well tolerated. Possible side effects include IV site bruising, lightheadedness, temporary fatigue and, uncommonly, flushing or a mild reaction. Tell us about any symptoms that concern you.
Cost
Cost depends on your individual plan and is discussed openly at your consultation, before anything is scheduled.
Frequently asked questions
What does UBI stand for?
Ultraviolet blood irradiation. You may also see UVBI or “photoluminescence therapy.”
Is UBI FDA-approved?
No. UBI is not FDA-approved to treat any disease and is considered investigational.
How is UBI different from EBOO?
UBI uses ultraviolet light on a small volume of blood; EBOO circulates blood continuously through a filter exposed to oxygen and ozone.
How many sessions are usually recommended?
There is no standard number. Your care team will suggest a starting plan and adjust it with regular check-ins.
Can UBI be done the same day as other IV therapies?
Sometimes. It depends on your exam and plan.
Is there UBI therapy near me in Oklahoma?
Yes. Venturis Clinic is at 7917 N. May Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73120, serving patients from the metro, Tulsa and surrounding states.
Talk with us
Book a free 15-minute discovery call or call (405) 848-7246. See also our lab testing page and the Patient Education Library.
Ultraviolet blood irradiation is not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease and is considered investigational. Individual experiences vary. All services are performed by licensed medical staff under our medical director after a Good Faith Exam. This page is educational and is not medical advice.