What is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy?
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is a medical treatment that involves breathing pure oxygen in a pressurized environment, typically inside a specialized chamber. The air pressure in these chambers is increased to 1.5 to 2 times higher than normal atmospheric pressure, allowing the lungs to absorb significantly more oxygen than they would under standard conditions. This increased oxygen supply is then circulated throughout the body via the bloodstream, promoting healing and supporting various physiological processes. HBOT has been used for decades to treat a range of medical conditions and is administered under the supervision of trained healthcare professionals.
How Does Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Work?
The fundamental mechanism of HBOT relies on the principles of pressure and oxygen solubility. At sea level, the air we breathe contains approximately 21% oxygen, and our lungs efficiently extract it to meet basic needs. However, under hyperbaric conditions, the elevated pressure causes oxygen to dissolve more readily into the blood plasma—the liquid component of blood—beyond what hemoglobin (the oxygen-carrying protein in red blood cells) can transport alone. This dramatically increases oxygen delivery to tissues and organs, even those with compromised blood flow.
Patients breathe 98% oxygen inside a hyperbaric chamber while the pressure gradually increases. Sessions typically last 60 minutes, depending on the condition being treated, and may be repeated over days or weeks. The enhanced oxygen levels stimulate healing processes, reduce inflammation, and combat infection by creating an environment where harmful bacteria struggle to survive. Additionally, HBOT encourages the release of growth factors and stem cells, aiding tissue repair and regeneration.
Benefits of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
HBOT is approved for several conditions and is increasingly explored for off-label uses. Its primary benefits include:
Boost Energy & Vitality: Oxygen fuels your body’s energy production. HBOT supercharges ATP creation—the body’s energy currency—leaving you revitalised and ready to thrive.
Enhance Brain Health: Flood your brain with oxygen to sharpen memory, lift mood, and boost mental clarity. HBOT stimulates BDNF (brain “fertiliser”) and VEGF (blood vessel growth), promoting optimal brain function and slowing the effects of aging.
Accelerate Exercise Recovery: Recover faster and perform better. HBOT enhances blood flow and oxygen delivery, helping your muscles repair and rebuild after intense workouts.
Promote Longevity: Oxygen is the enemy of disease. HBOT saturates your cells with life-giving oxygen, supporting overall health and fostering a vibrant, resilient body.
Wound Healing: HBOT is widely used to treat chronic, non-healing wounds, such as diabetic foot ulcers, by boosting oxygen supply to damaged tissues, promoting new blood vessel growth (angiogenesis), and accelerating repair.
Infection Control: The therapy enhances the immune system’s ability to fight severe infections, such as necrotising fasciitis, by inhibiting anaerobic bacteria that thrive in low-oxygen environments.
Radiation Injury: For cancer patients experiencing tissue damage from radiation therapy, HBOT can repair affected areas by stimulating regeneration and reducing inflammation.
Brain and Neurological Support: Emerging research suggests HBOT may benefit conditions like traumatic brain injury, stroke, and even neurodegenerative diseases by improving oxygen delivery to brain tissue and reducing swelling.
Side effects are generally mild, including ear discomfort from pressure changes or temporary fatigue, but the treatment is considered safe when properly administered.
In summary, hyperbaric oxygen therapy leverages the power of pressurised oxygen to enhance the body’s natural healing processes. Its ability to deliver oxygen to oxygen-starved tissues makes it a versatile tool in modern medicine, with applications spanning emergency care to chronic disease management. As research progresses, HBOT’s full potential unfolds, offering hope for improved outcomes across diverse health challenges and optimal health outcomes.
