Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT)

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Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) involves breathing pure oxygen in a pressurized chamber, typically at pressures higher than normal atmospheric levels. This treatment is utilized to address various medical conditions and offers numerous potential benefits.

During an HBOT session, patients inhale oxygen at levels greater than those found at sea level, which helps facilitate tissue healing and repair. HBOT is commonly used to treat conditions such as decompression sickness in divers, non-healing wounds, carbon monoxide poisoning, and radiation injuries. Oxygen therapy has shown to be effective in treating chronic headaches as well.

One of the primary benefits of HBOT is its ability to increase oxygen supply to tissues, promoting healing. It is frequently used as an adjunct treatment for conditions like diabetic foot ulcers, where low oxygen levels impede wound healing. Additionally, HBOT is being studied for its potential in treating traumatic brain injuries and strokes, as enhanced oxygenation may aid in neural recovery. Ongoing clinical research continues to explore its broader applications, making it a valuable therapy in various medical treatments.

what is Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT)

Originating in the USA, Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy is used to stimulate blood circulation and oxygenation within the body for healing and recovery.

Backed by evidence-based research, it has been proven that the brain is highly sensitive to changes in circulating oxygen levels, with low or absent oxygen quickly leading to unconsciousness or permanent brain damage.

"Little Nonya Star Zetong loves our Luxury Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy"

Benefits of HBOT:

1. Longevity

HBOT can induce a range of cellular, biochemical, and physiological changes, potentially promoting healthy aging. Some key benefits include:

  • Enhancing Angiogenesis: HBOT supports the formation of new blood vessels.
  • Reducing Inflammation: It regulates the number and activity of various inflammatory cell types.
  • Enhancing Antioxidant Defenses: HBOT helps balance free radicals and scavengers.
  • Counteracting Cellular Senescence: It may inhibit telomere shortening, a significant trigger for cellular aging.
  • Increasing Stem Cell Circulation: HBOT stimulates the mobilization of stem cells and promotes their proliferation and differentiation.

Telomeres, the protective caps at the end of chromosomes, are essential for cellular division. With each cell division, telomeres shorten, and when they become too short, cells can no longer divide successfully. HBOT has been shown to lengthen telomeres by up to 38%, making it more effective than any current lifestyle modifications. Additionally, HBOT has been proven to decrease the presence of old cells by 11-37%, fostering regeneration of new cells, thus helping to reverse aging.

Oxygen therapy also provides relief from both acute and chronic pain and enhances sleep quality by promoting cell regeneration and increasing internal melatonin production, while improving blood flow. Furthermore, oxygen is non-toxic, non-invasive, and free from side effects.

2. Sleep

The Cocoon by O2genes is a Hyperbaric Oxygen Chamber (mHBOT) that increases oxygen levels and pressure by 40%-50% above sea level. This wellness tool ensures the circulation of oxygenated blood throughout the body. In high-pressure oxygen environments, tissues receive a boost of oxygen, leading to benefits such as increased metabolism, enhanced energy levels, faster recovery, and more.

Exposure to elevated oxygen levels encourages the brain to enter deep, restorative sleep. Deep sleep is crucial for recovery and memory consolidation. In contrast, lower oxygen levels keep the brain in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. HBOT can enhance deep sleep, benefiting individuals suffering from insomnia by ensuring they receive adequate restorative and slow-wave sleep.

3. Fertility

HBOT significantly increases oxygen levels in the blood, which improves the functioning of the body by stimulating the development of new blood vessels (angiogenesis) and regulating oxidative stress. This oxygen-rich environment helps create optimal conditions for fertilization and enhances the effectiveness of assisted fertility treatments.

4. Sports Recovery

HBOT can accelerate the return to pre-injury activity levels and improve the short- and long-term prognosis of injuries. Research has shown that HBOT reduces post-injury swelling in both animals and humans. It has also been associated with enhanced tissue remodeling after injuries, particularly in bones, muscles, and ligaments, which accelerates recovery. For example, during the Nagano Winter Olympics, athletes experiencing fatigue used HBOT, which helped them continue performing at their peak (Ishii et al., 2005).

HBOT has been shown to accelerate cell recovery and tissue repair, aiding in the elimination of fatigue and the restoration of stamina. Recent studies suggest that exposure to HBOT may also alleviate pain over both short and long periods.

5. Cognitive Ability

Some case studies suggest that low-pressure HBOT can improve symptoms in children with autism by increasing oxygenation in underperfused areas of the brain. This treatment helps reduce neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, or a combination of both. Studies have shown that HBOT at pressures commonly used for children with autism (up to 1.5 atm/100% oxygen) improves cerebral perfusion, reduces inflammation, and does not worsen oxidative stress. Several studies on children with autism have reported improvements in various behavioral domains.

Overall, HBOT for children with autism appears to be safe, well-tolerated, and potentially effective. However, further research is needed to confirm its efficacy.

6. Reduces Inflammation

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) reduces inflammation by increasing oxygen levels in tissues, which helps suppress pro-inflammatory cytokines (like TNF-α and IL-6), boosts anti-inflammatory signals (like IL-10), and enhances the body's antioxidant defenses. It also improves blood flow, reduces immune cell overactivation, and stabilizes blood vessels, all of which help calm chronic skin inflammation in conditions like eczema.

Conditions that benefit from HBOT:

  • Depression
  • Diabetes
  • Musculoskeletal injuries
  • Sports injuries
  • Insomnia
  • Non healing ulcers
  • Post COVID19 symptoms
  • Post stroke cognitive recovery
  • Eczema
  • Chronic headache

References:

Memar MY, Yekani M, Alizadeh N, Baghi HB.Hyperbaric oxygen therapy:
Antimicrobial Mechanisms and Clinical Application for Infections
Moghadam N, Hieda M, Ramey L, Levine BD, Guilliod R.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Sports Musculoskeletal Injuries.
Hadanny A, Rittblat M, Bitterman M, May-Raz I, Suzin G, Boussi-Gross R, Zemel Y, Bechor Y, Catalogna M, Efrati S.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy improves neurocognitive functions of post-stroke patients – a retrospective analysis.
Zilberman-Itskovich S, Catalogna M, Sasson E, Elman-Shina K, Hadanny A, Lang E, Finci S,Polak N, Fishlev G, Korin C, Shorer R,
Parag Y, Sova M, Efrati S.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy improves neurocognitive functions and symptoms of post-COVID condition: randomized controlled trial.
P, Shapira E, Landau G, Gattegno H, Zrachya A, Daniel-Kotovsky M, Catalogna M, Fishlev G, Lang E, Polak N, Doenyas K, Friedman M, Zemel Y, Bechor Y, Efrati S.
The effect of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on the pathophysiology of skin aging: a prospective clinical trial.

Reviews

The effect of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on the pathophysiology of skin aging: a prospective clinical trial

Yafit Hachmo1,*, Amir Hadanny2,3,4,*, Sonia Mendelovic5, Pnina Hillman5, Eyal Shapira6, Geva Landau6, Hadar Gattegno1, Avi Zrachya1, Malka Daniel-Kotovsky2, Merav Catalogna2, Gregory Fishlev2, Erez Lang2, Nir Polak2, Keren Doenyas2, Mony Friedman2, Yonatan Zemel2, Yair Bechor2, Shai Efrati1,2,3,7  

Published in AGING 2021, Vol. 13, No, 22

Figure 1. Elastic fiber changes. Following HBOT, there was a significant increase in elastic fiber numbers, along with a significant decrease in their fragmentation.

Figure 2. Papillary layer thickness changes. Following HBOT, there was a significant decrease in the papillary layer thickness.

Figure 3. Blood vessels changes. Following HBOT, there was a significant increase in tissue blood vessels. Left column: DAPI staining for intact cells evaluation, middle column: CD31 staining of endothelial cells; right column: merging of DAPI and CD31.

Figure 4. Senescence cells changes. Following HBOT, there was a significant decrease in number of tissue senescent cells.

This study presents a research study evaluating the effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on skin aging in a normal aging population through skin biopsies and various physiological assessments.

Key Findings on Skin Aging 13​

The study revealed significant histological changes in the skin of participants after HBOT, indicating its potential to reverse some aging effects. 14

  • No changes in elastic fiber density or thickness were noted, but fragmentation decreased significantly (90% high fragmentation to 10% post-HBOT). 15
  • Collagen fiber density increased significantly from 67.84±10.98% at baseline to 76.61±9.52% post-HBOT.
  • Papillary layer thickness decreased significantly from 133.22±22.42 μm to 106.60±31.01 μm after HBOT.
  • The number of blood vessels increased from 24.00±15.72 to 33.40±12.28 post-HBOT. 17

Mechanisms of Action

The study suggests that HBOT may exert its effects through mechanisms such as angiogenesis and clearance of senescent cells, which are critical in the aging process. 18

  • HBOT induced angiogenesis, evidenced by increased CD31 intensity (625.81±394.29 post-HBOT). 19
  • The number of senescent cells decreased significantly from 3.14±1.06 to 2.48±1.23 after HBOT. 7
  • The study highlights the role of hypoxic-induced factors (HIFs) in promoting angiogenesis through HBOT. 20

Conclusion

Therefore, in this study, Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) has been shown to significantly improve skin aging in a healthy aging population by enhancing collagen density, elastic fiber length, and reducing aged, senescent skin cells.


This study is the first to demonstrate these effects in humans, indicating potential therapeutic benefits of HBOT for skin aging.

Physical enhancement of older adults using hyperbaric oxygen: a randomized controlled trial

This paper reports on a randomized controlled trial evaluating the effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on physical performance and cardiac perfusion in sedentary older adults.

Effects of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy on Aging

The study investigates the impact of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) on physical performance and cardiac function in sedentary older adults. Results indicate significant improvements in oxygen consumption and cardiac perfusion following HBOT.

Study Design and Methodology

A randomized controlled trial conducted from 2016 to 2020.
Involved 63 adults aged 64 and older, divided into HBOT (n=30) and control (n=33) groups.
Participants underwent 60 sessions of HBOT over 12 weeks, breathing 100% oxygen at 2 ATA for 90 minutes.
Primary endpoints included VO2Max and VO2Max/kg; secondary endpoints included cardiac perfusion and pulmonary function.

Key Findings on Physical Performance

Significant increase in VO2Max/kg by 1.91 ± 3.29 ml/kg/min (p = 0.0034) with a net effect size of 0.455.

VO2 consumption at the first ventilatory threshold (VO2VT1) increased by 160.03 ± 155.35 ml/min (p < 0.001) with a net effect size of 0.617.

Cardiac Perfusion Improvements

Global myocardial blood flow (MBF) increased from 0.34 ± 0.10 to 0.42 ± 0.19 ml/100 g/min (p = 0.008), with a large effect size of 0.797.

Global myocardial blood volume (MBV) increased from 0.53 ± 0.14 to 0.61 ± 0.22 ml/100 g (p = 0.009), with an effect size of 0.896.

Moderate correlations observed between MBV changes and VO2Max (r = 0.45, p = 0.043).

Enhancements in Physical Performance with HBOT

The study demonstrates that Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) significantly improves physical performance metrics in elderly individuals, particularly in VO2Max and cardiac perfusion. These enhancements are crucial for maintaining an independent lifestyle in older adults.

VO2Max, VO2Max/Kg, and VO2VT1 significantly increased in the HBOT group compared to the control group.
The HBOT group exhibited improved general cardiac perfusion, measured by Myocardial Blood Flow (MBF) and Myocardial Blood Volume (MBV).

The elderly rely heavily on VO2Max for daily tasks, making these improvements particularly relevant.

Participant Characteristics and Demographics

The study involved a total of 63 participants, divided into control and HBOT groups, with a focus on their health and demographic characteristics.

Average age of participants was 69.70 years, with 61.9% being male.
36.5% had a history of orthopedic surgery, and 47.6% had dyslipidemia.
Chronic conditions included hypertension (22%), diabetes mellitus (15.9%), and atrial fibrillation (6.3%).

Baseline Measurements and Comparisons

Baseline measurements were taken to assess the initial health status of participants before the intervention.
Height, weight, BMI, and body surface area (BSA) were similar across groups, with no significant differences.

VO2Max was recorded at 1514.62 ± 521.17 mL/min, with no significant difference between groups.

VO2Max/Kg was 19.73 ± 5.93 mL/kg/min, also showing no significant differences.

Changes in Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing (CPET)

The study evaluated changes in CPET parameters to assess the impact of HBOT on physical performance.
VO2Max increased significantly in the HBOT group (1517.98 ± 488.42 mL/min) compared to the control group (1584.70 ± 493.87 mL/min).

VO2VT1 showed a significant increase in the HBOT group (927.57 ± 308.28 mL/min) compared to baseline.

Power output and other secondary endpoints showed no significant changes.

Cardiac Perfusion Improvements with HBOT

The study highlights the effects of HBOT on cardiac perfusion, indicating potential benefits for heart health in elderly individuals.
MBF increased significantly in the HBOT group (0.30 ± 0.08) compared to baseline (0.34 ± 0.10).
MBV also showed significant improvement in the HBOT group (0.46 ± 0.12) compared to baseline (0.53 ± 0.14).
These changes suggest enhanced cardiac microcirculation due to HBOT.

The study's design allows for the isolation of HBOT effects, supporting the validity of the findings.

Conclusion on HBOT's Impact on Elderly Performance

The findings suggest that HBOT can significantly enhance physical performance in aging adults, particularly in terms of oxygen consumption and cardiac function.
The study indicates that combining HBOT with physical training may yield synergistic effects, warranting further investigation.
The results underscore the potential of HBOT as a therapeutic intervention for improving quality of life in the elderly.

Approved by Bryan Johnson

The most measured man in the world, Bryan Johnson, reveals his results from 90 days of hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

Bryan Johnson’s Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Results: What He Found After 60 Sessions

Bryan Johnson, a venture capitalist famous for investing millions into age-reversal technologies, recently shared the results of undergoing 60 sessions of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). Best known for its use in treating decompression sickness in divers, HBOT is also FDA-approved for various medical conditions like vision loss, hearing loss, and wound healing. However, its potential as an anti-aging therapy remains under investigation.

HBOT involves breathing pure oxygen in a pressurized chamber, increasing oxygen levels in blood and tissue. Johnson, who frequently monitors his biological age markers, used his rigorous data tracking to evaluate the impact of HBOT on aging-related metrics—and the results, according to him, were impressive.

The Protocol

Over a 90-day period, Johnson completed 60 HBOT sessions using a hardshell chamber pressurized to 2 atmospheres. Each session lasted 90 minutes, during which he alternated between breathing 100% oxygen for 20 minutes and taking 5-minute breaks. He reported these sessions delivered significant improvements across multiple health indicators.

“HBOT ranks as one of the highest value health therapies I’ve done,” Johnson shared on X.

Key Improvements Reported

1. Inflammation

Johnson reported that HBOT completely eliminated systemic inflammation in his body. His high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels fell below detectable limits. In addition, his C-reactive protein metabolite (CRPm) levels ranked in the lowest 1% of individuals tested—suggesting a powerful anti-inflammatory effect.

2. Muscle Oxygen Utilization

HBOT is known to improve blood vessel formation (angiogenesis). Johnson’s vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels rose by 300%, supporting increased vascularization. Additionally, skeletal muscle oxygen saturation (SmO₂) more than doubled during exercise at 210 watts after 40 sessions.

3. Telomerase Activity

Telomeres—protective caps at the end of chromosomes—shorten with age. Johnson found that HBOT boosted his telomerase activity to 7.7%, a level comparable to that of a 12-year-old. While his telomere length data was compromised by a lab error, he plans to retest and share those results later.

4. Gut Health

HBOT led to a 250% increase in short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and a 290% rise in n-butyrate levels—both essential for gut and metabolic health. Notably, the presence of Akkermansia muciniphila, a beneficial gut bacterium linked to strong intestinal barriers and metabolic balance, rose by 1000%.

5. Brain Aging

In Alzheimer’s disease, elevated tau protein levels in the brain are associated with inflammation and cognitive decline. Johnson’s phosphorylated tau (TAU127) dropped by 28.6%, from 0.14 pg/mL to 0.1 pg/mL, a level well below the Alzheimer’s risk threshold (0.18 pg/mL). This suggests a reversal of brain aging biomarkers.

6. Skin Aging

Johnson reported a reduction in his skin’s biological age from 39 to 38, based on skin texture, pore size, pigmentation, and other metrics. He also cited studies showing HBOT can increase collagen, blood flow, and reduce skin-cell senescence.

Before HBOT (left), Johnson’s skin age was 39, but after HBOT (right), it was 38.

“The outcomes match what we observed in the scientific literature and what we predicted in deciding to do this therapy. What’s notable is that after achieving elite level biomarkers over the past four years, my team and I have struggled to find new therapies that meaningfully improve my biomarkers. HBOT achieved that,” said Johnson.

Scientific Alignment

Johnson emphasized that the outcomes of his self-experiment align closely with existing scientific literature on HBOT. Given that he had already optimized many of his health markers over the past four years, he was surprised to find HBOT delivering additional meaningful improvements.

“After achieving elite-level biomarkers... HBOT achieved that,” he wrote.

A Free Alternative: Slow Breathing

For those unable to afford HBOT, Johnson and researchers suggest an alternative: conscious breathing techniques that activate the parasympathetic nervous system. This system regulates inflammation and oxidative stress—key drivers of aging.

A study by Gerbarg and Brown (2016) recommends breathing at a rate of 4.5–6 breaths per minute to balance the autonomic nervous system and promote calm alertness. Breathing even slower (3 or fewer breaths per minute) can induce a meditative, deeply restorative state.

View original article here

HBOT Articles

All Resources on HBOT:

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy improves neurocognitive functions and symptoms of post‑COVID condition: randomized controlled trialHyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Managing Minimally Invasive Aesthetic Procedure Complications: A Report of Three CasesHyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Sports Musculoskeletal InjuriesA General Overview on the Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy: Applications, Mechanisms and Translational OpportunitiesPost-COVID-19 fatigue: A systematic reviewTherapeutic Effects of Hyperbaric Oxygen: Integrated ReviewTranscutaneous oxygen tension-guided hyperbaric oxygen therapy for preventing skin necrosis after hyaluronic acid filler injectionsHyperbaric Oxygen – Its Mechanisms and EfficacyHyperbaric Oxygen Therapy: Future Prospects in Regenerative Therapy and Anti-AgingHyperbaric Oxygen Treatment: Effects on Mitochondrial Function and Oxidative StressHyperbaric Oxygen Therapy: Antimicrobial Mechanisms and Clinical Application for InfectionsEffects of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy on Long COVID : A Systematic ReviewEffects of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy on Inflammation, Oxidative/Antioxidant Balance, and Muscle Damage after Acute Exercise in Normobaric, Normoxic and Hypobaric, Hypoxic  Environments: A Pilot StudyHyperbaric Oxygen Therapy to Reverse Skin Aging
Conditions that benefits from HBOT
  • Depression
  • Diabetes
  • Musculoskeletal injuries
  • Sports injuries
  • Insomnia
  • Non healing ulcers
  • Post COVID19 symptoms
  • Post stroke cognitive recovery
  • Eczema
  • Chronic headache

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Dr Wong is an international trainer for CynoSure. He was recently selected to launch PicoSure Pro for Australia and at the upcoming AMWC Monaco Conference.

Enhancing Angiogenesis

HBOT supports the formation of new blood vessels

Reducing Inflammation

It regulates the number and activity of various inflammatory cell types

Enhancing Antioxidant Defenses

HBOT helps balance free radicals and scavengers

Counteracting Cellular Senescence

It may inhibit telomere shortening, a significant trigger for cellular aging

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Frequently asked questions

6 Reasons Why Top Athletes Use Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT)

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is becoming increasingly popular among elite athletes for its ability to accelerate recovery, enhance performance, reduce inflammation, and improve cognitive function. By increasing oxygen levels in the body, HBOT helps optimize athletic performance and fast-tracks the natural healing processes following injury or intense physical activity.Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) involves breathing pure oxygen in a pressurized chamber. While it has been used for years to treat various medical conditions, such as decompression sickness, carbon monoxide poisoning, and non-healing wounds, it has recently gained traction as a performance-enhancing treatment for athletes.

Athletes like NFL quarterback Tom Brady, NBA star LeBron James, and MMA champion Georges St-Pierre have all reported using HBOT to improve recovery and boost performance. The HMS team regularly treats professional athletes (across MLB, NFL, NBA, NHL, and ATP) and fitness enthusiasts with customized protocols to optimize muscle recovery and performance.So, why are top athletes incorporating HBOT into their routines, and what does the science say about its benefits?

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