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.

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.

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As of July 2021, the FDA has cleared hyperbaric chambers for the following disorders:

1. Decompression sickness

Decompression sickness, also known as “the bends,” occurs when nitrogen bubbles form in the bloodstream due to rapid decompression, such as after diving. HBOT is the primary treatment for this condition. By increasing atmospheric pressure and oxygen concentration, HBOT shrinks the nitrogen bubbles and rapidly restores oxygen to affected tissues, preventing or reversing neurological and musculoskeletal damage.

2. Wounds (non-healing, diabetic foot ulcers)

One of the most established uses of HBOT is in the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers and other chronic non-healing wounds. In these patients, poor circulation results in hypoxic (low-oxygen) tissues, slowing down wound healing. HBOT dramatically enhances oxygen delivery to these tissues, stimulating fibroblast proliferation, collagen synthesis, and new blood vessel formation (angiogenesis), all critical to wound repair.

3. Carbon Monoxide (CO) Poisoning

Carbon monoxide binds to hemoglobin more readily than oxygen, leading to tissue hypoxia and potential brain damage. HBOT works by rapidly removing CO from the bloodstream, restoring normal oxygen transport and reducing the risk of permanent neurological damage. It’s an emergency treatment that can be lifesaving.

4. Radiation Injuries (Osteoradionecrosis, Cystitis, Proctitis)

Healthy tissues surrounding a tumor can be affected by radiation therapy, sometimes leading to delayed complications known as radiation injuries. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is FDA-approved for treating these latent radiation-induced tissue damages, as it helps repair and regenerate the affected areas.

5. Air and gas bubbles in blood vessels

6. Anemia

Severe anemia when blood transfusions cannot be used.

7. Burns

Severe and large burns treated at a specialized burn center.

8. Crush injury

9. Gas gangrene

10. Hearing loss

Complete hearing loss that occurs suddenly and without any known cause.

11. Infection of the skin and bone (severe)

12. Skin graft flap at risk of tissue death

13. Vision loss

When sudden and painless in one eye due to blockage of blood flow.

HBOT is being studied for other conditions, including COVID-19. However, at this time, the FDA has not cleared or authorized the use of any HBOT device to treat COVID-19 or any conditions beyond those listed above. The website, clinicaltrials.gov, has more information on HBOT clinical trials for COVID-19 and other conditions.

Chronic Headaches

Though not yet an FDA-approved indication, HBOT has been reported to alleviate chronic headaches, possibly due to its cerebrovascular effects, improving oxygen supply to the brain and reducing neuroinflammation and pain perception.

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

HBOT is being actively investigated for treating TBI, particularly mild TBI or post-concussion syndrome. It enhances oxygenation in damaged brain tissues, supports mitochondrial recovery, and promotes neurogenesis and angiogenesis. These processes may help reduce cognitive symptoms such as memory loss, fatigue, and brain fog.

Stroke Recovery

In patients recovering from a stroke, HBOT can restore oxygen to areas with reduced blood flow and aid in neurological recovery. Studies show improvements in memory, cognitive function, and quality of life, likely due to improved brain perfusion and reduced inflammation.

Avascular Necrosis (AVN) of the Femoral Head (Emerging Use)

Avascular necrosis (AVN), particularly of the femoral head, is a degenerative condition caused by reduced blood supply to bone tissue, leading to cell death and eventual joint collapse. Risk factors include corticosteroid use, alcohol abuse, diabetes, and decompression sickness.

HBOT is being studied as a non-surgical intervention for AVN by enhancing oxygen delivery to ischemic bone tissue, reducing edema, and promoting angiogenesis and bone remodeling. In the referenced 30-year retrospective study from Fremantle and Fiona Stanley Hospitals, patients who received ≥20 HBOT sessions showed improvements in MRI findings, symptom relief, and potentially reduced surgical needs.

While promising, HBOT for AVN remains an off-label and investigational use, requiring more high-quality randomized controlled trials before it can be considered an established therapy.

Long COVID / Post-COVID Syndrome

HBOT has been shown to help individuals experiencing prolonged post-COVID symptoms, including fatigue, cognitive dysfunction (“brain fog”), and breathlessness. It reduces systemic inflammation and improves oxygenation, especially in underperfused areas of the brain and lungs.

Longevity and Healthy Aging

HBOT may help slow or reverse biological aging by enhancing cellular and molecular repair processes. Notably, it can lengthen telomeres by up to 38% and reduce senescent (aged) cell count by up to 37%. It stimulates the proliferation and mobilization of stem cells, enhances antioxidant defense mechanisms, and encourages new capillary growth—all of which are associated with healthier aging and tissue regeneration.

Skin Aging

HBOT significantly improves signs of skin aging. It reduces elastic fiber fragmentation, increases collagen density, promotes angiogenesis (new blood vessels), and reduces the number of senescent skin cells. These changes result in healthier, more youthful-looking skin and may delay the visible effects of aging.

Sleep Improvement and Insomnia

HBOT promotes deeper, more restorative sleep by increasing oxygen availability in the brain. This enhances melatonin production, reduces sleep latency, and improves overall sleep architecture. Patients report better recovery and reduced fatigue. The therapy may benefit individuals with chronic insomnia or sleep-disordered breathing.

Chronic Fatigue

By increasing oxygen at the cellular level, HBOT enhances mitochondrial function and energy production, which can reduce symptoms of chronic fatigue. This is especially useful for individuals recovering from viral illnesses, including post-viral fatigue syndromes like Long COVID.

Fertility Enhancement

HBOT creates an oxygen-rich environment that is favorable for reproductive health by promoting angiogenesis and regulating oxidative stress. It can improve uterine lining quality and oxygen delivery to reproductive organs, thus enhancing the success rate of assisted reproductive technologies like IVF.

Bone Health

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) enhances tissue oxygenation by delivering 100% oxygen at elevated pressures and has shown promise in treating bone diseases. Research indicates that HBOT promotes bone healing by stimulating osteoblast activity, encouraging angiogenesis, and modulating inflammation and oxidative stress. It has demonstrated therapeutic benefits in fracture healing, bone defect repair, and osteoporosis by targeting key bone signaling pathways. While clinical studies support its efficacy, the optimal HBOT protocols for different bone conditions are still being determined.

Sports Injury Recovery

HBOT can accelerate healing from muscle strains, ligament tears, and bone injuries. It reduces inflammation, promotes tissue remodeling, and supports cell regeneration. Elite athletes have used HBOT to recover from fatigue and injury more quickly during competitions.

Cognitive Improvement in Autism

HBOT has shown promising effects in some children with autism, particularly in improving cerebral perfusion and reducing neuroinflammation. At low pressures (up to 1.5 ATA), it is well-tolerated and has led to behavioral and language improvements in some clinical studies, though more research is needed.

Chronic Inflammation and Autoimmune Modulation

HBOT reduces pro-inflammatory cytokines like TNF-α and IL-6 while boosting anti-inflammatory cytokines like IL-10. This makes it beneficial for chronic inflammatory conditions such as eczema, arthritis, or other systemic inflammatory states. It also improves vascular stability and immune regulation.

Aesthetic Medicine and Skin Recovery

In cosmetic procedures, especially dermal fillers or minimally invasive treatments, HBOT has been used to prevent or treat skin necrosis and tissue ischemia. It accelerates healing, improves blood flow to compromised areas, and reduces the risk of scarring and complications.

Infections and Antimicrobial Support

HBOT supports the immune system in fighting off difficult-to-treat infections by enhancing white blood cell function, increasing oxygen levels in infected tissues, and even suppressing the growth of certain anaerobic bacteria. This includes infections such as necrotizing fasciitis and chronic osteomyelitis.

Little nonya star Zetong loves our luxury Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

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.
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“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.

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