What Is HBOT? The Role of Hyperbaric Oxygen in Longevity Medicine

Initially developed to treat decompression sickness in divers and carbon monoxide poisoning, HBOT has evolved into a versatile medical treatment. Its applications range from soft tissue infections, gas gangrene, and arterial gas embolism, to radiation injuries, chronic wounds, and diabetic foot ulcers.

The therapy is administered in either a monoplace hyperbaric chamber (for one patient) or a multiplace chamber (for multiple patients at once). In this article, we'll examine the benefits of HBOT and how it can help with longevity and various medical conditions.

How Does HBOT Work?

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, commonly referred to as HBOT, is a medical treatment that involves breathing pure oxygen in a specially designed hyperbaric oxygen therapy chamber. Unlike the air we normally breathe, which contains about 21% oxygen, HBOT delivers 100% pure oxygen at increased air pressure.

The increased pressure inside the chamber forces higher amounts of oxygen into the red blood cells, plasma, lymph, and even bone marrow, delivering oxygen to areas that may be inflamed, infected, or starved of circulation. This intensified oxygen delivery promotes wound healing, reduces inflammation, and supports the regeneration of damaged tissue. It also triggers the release of growth factors and stimulates stem cells, further enhancing the body's repair processes.

HBOT is particularly effective in addressing anaerobic infections, where bacteria thrive in low-oxygen environments. By overwhelming the site with oxygen, HBOT not only kills harmful bacteria but also supports the work of white blood cells, which rely on oxygen to fight infection. In cases of arterial gas embolism, gas gangrene, or carbon dioxide buildup in tissues, HBOT helps by reducing gas bubbles and restoring oxygen balance quickly and safely.

Because it harnesses the body’s natural healing potential using oxygen therapy, HBOT is a preferred option in both acute medical emergencies and long-term hyperbaric medicine protocols.

HBOT in Longevity and Anti-Ageing Medicine

In recent years, HBOT has gained attention as a breakthrough tool in longevity and anti-ageing medicine. While traditionally used to treat conditions like carbon monoxide poisoning, soft tissue infections, and diabetic foot ulcers, the role of hyperbaric oxygen in cellular rejuvenation is now a subject of cutting-edge research and real-world clinical application.

This supercharged oxygenation has a number of powerful downstream effects:

• Increased Stem Cell Activity: Studies have shown that HBOT stimulates the release and mobilisation of stem cells, which are essential for cellular repair and regeneration. All of these effects are the cornerstone of anti-ageing medicine.
• New Blood Vessel Formation: By enhancing oxygen delivery to damaged or ageing tissues, HBOT encourages angiogenesis. It is a vital tool for the development of new blood vessels that restore circulation and nutrient flow.
• Reduced Inflammation: Chronic, low-grade inflammation is a major driver of ageing. HBOT has been shown to suppress pro-inflammatory markers and improve outcomes in inflammatory conditions.
• Improved Mitochondrial Function: The mitochondria, known as the powerhouse of the cell, benefit from higher oxygen levels, helping improve energy production and slowing cellular degradation.

On top of these benefits, HBOT may positively affect brain cells and cognitive function, reduce oxidative stress, and support DNA repair mechanisms.

Clinics such as Verita Health now integrate hyperbaric oxygen therapy sessions into personalised wellness programmes, often alongside other regenerative treatments. While not a miracle cure, HBOT offers a science-backed, non-invasive approach to extend lifespan by improving overall cellular function and resilience.

What Conditions Can HBOT Treat?

Some of the most well-established and medically approved uses for hyperbaric oxygen include:

• Carbon Monoxide Poisoning: HBOT helps displace carbon dioxide from red blood cells and flood the body with oxygen, reversing the life-threatening effects of CO exposure.
• Chronic Non-Healing Wounds: In particular, diabetic patients often experience diabetic foot ulcers that are resistant to standard care. HBOT promotes wound healing by stimulating new blood vessels and enhancing immune function.
• Radiation Injuries: Patients who have undergone radiation therapy for cancer may experience late-onset complications such as radiation-induced hemorrhagic cystitis. HBOT reduces tissue damage and inflammation in these cases.
• Gas Gangrene and Anaerobic Infections: These rapidly progressing infections caused by bacteria that thrive in low-oxygen environments can be treated effectively with oxygen therapy in a pressurized chamber, which halts bacterial growth and enhances the action of white blood cells.
• Arterial Gas Embolism: When air or gas embolism occurs due to trauma or surgical procedures, HBOT helps shrink the gas bubbles and restore normal air and oxygen flow to tissues.
• Crush Injuries and Soft Tissue Trauma: HBOT can reduce swelling, improve tissue oxygenation, and aid recovery by accelerating the body’s natural wound healing processes.

Beyond these, hyperbaric physicians in the field of hyperbaric medicine are exploring promising off-label uses, including in conditions such as cerebral edema, central nervous system disorders, and inflammatory diseases. Even the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society (UHMS) supports the use of HBOT for proven medical conditions.

Although not every condition qualifies for HBOT under medical insurance, its role in complex healing scenarios continues to grow. Whether delivered in a monoplace hyperbaric chamber or multiplace chamber, the therapy is carefully supervised by specialists with extensive training in hyperbaric physiology to ensure patient safety and efficacy.

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What to Expect During HBOT Sessions

If you're considering hyperbaric oxygen therapy, understanding the session experience can help ease any concerns and prepare you for the process. Each HBOT session involves spending time in a specially designed hyperbaric oxygen therapy chamber, where you'll breathe in pure oxygen under increased air pressure, typically 1.5 to 3 times higher than normal atmospheric pressure.

Before the Session

Before starting treatment, you’ll undergo a thorough evaluation by a hyperbaric physician. This may include reviewing your medical conditions, current medications (especially blood thinners or herbal supplements), and medical history (including ear surgery, sinus issues, or respiratory conditions).

A personalized treatment plan will be created, depending on your condition. This will depend on whether you’re receiving HBOT for chronic wounds, radiation injuries, crush injuries, or other approved uses. The physician will also review potential side effects, such as ear pressure, sinus pain, or temporary discomfort due to changes in pressure.

During the Session

Once inside the pressurized chamber, the therapy begins:

• You’ll lie down or sit comfortably while breathing pure oxygen through a mask or hood.
• As the hyperbaric environment reaches the required increased pressure, you may notice a popping sensation in your ears, much like on an airplane. This is normal and can be relieved by swallowing, yawning, or pinching your nose to equalise pressure.
• Each session typically lasts 60 to 90 minutes. You’ll remain awake and can relax, watch TV, or listen to music during treatment.
• The oxygen supply is closely monitored, and technicians are always available to ensure your comfort and safety.

In rare cases, mild side effects like ear discomfort, eye irritation, or fatigue may occur. However, serious risks such as oxygen toxicity or lung damage from too much oxygen are extremely rare and only occur when protocols are not properly followed.

After the Session

Once the session ends, the chamber is slowly depressurised. Some patients feel slightly light-headed or tired for a short while, but most return to normal activities immediately.

For best results, you may require a series of treatment sessions, depending on your condition. For example:

• Chronic non-healing wounds or radiation-induced injuries may require 20–40 sessions.
• Emergency conditions, such as carbon monoxide poisoning or gas embolism, may only need a few sessions.

Your care team will provide specific aftercare instructions, including guidance on sun exposure, avoiding tanning beds, and using gentle skincare products to protect your skin.

Is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Safe?

Receiving hyperbaric oxygen therapy is generally considered safe and well-tolerated, especially when performed under the supervision of a qualified hyperbaric physician. The therapy involves breathing pure oxygen in a hyperbaric oxygen therapy chamber, where air pressure is increased to help oxygen delivery throughout the body.

When administered according to established medical protocols, hyperbaric oxygen therapy is safe and effective for a wide range of conditions, including chronic wounds, radiation injuries, and carbon monoxide poisoning.

Clinical Oversight and Regulation

In most medical settings, HBOT is offered in hospital-affiliated clinics or specialized centres approved by bodies such as the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society (UHMS) or regulated by the FDA. Each treatment is overseen by a certified hyperbaric physician with expertise in hyperbaric physiology, ensuring that patients receive an appropriate personalized treatment plan based on their unique medical history and medical conditions.

The use of oxygen tanks, hyperbaric chambers, and safety protocols ensures that oxygen therapy is administered precisely, minimizing any risk associated with too much oxygen (oxygen toxicity) or pressure-related injuries.

Who Should Avoid HBOT?

While hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) offers wide-ranging benefits, from enhancing wound healing to supporting recovery after radiation therapy, it isn’t suitable for everyone. Because HBOT involves breathing pure oxygen at increased pressure inside a hyperbaric chamber, certain individuals may face a higher risk of complications due to underlying medical conditions or physiological factors.

Below are key groups who should avoid or carefully evaluate HBOT with a hyperbaric physician before beginning treatment:

1. Individuals with Untreated Pneumothorax

An untreated pneumothorax (collapsed lung) is an absolute contraindication for HBOT. In a pressurized chamber, expanding trapped air can lead to life-threatening lung injuries. Anyone with known or suspected pneumothorax must be stabilized before undergoing oxygen therapy.

2. Patients Recently Undergoing Certain Surgeries

Those who’ve had recent ear surgery, sinus surgery, or lung surgery may be at increased risk for barotrauma (damage caused by changes in atmospheric pressure). These procedures can make it harder for the body to adapt to pressure shifts in the hyperbaric environment, leading to pain or injury in the injection sites, sinuses, or ears.

3. People With Severe COPD or Other Lung Diseases

Patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or other conditions affecting lung elasticity may retain carbon dioxide, increasing their risk of oxygen toxicity during hyperbaric oxygen therapy sessions. Additionally, existing lung bullae may rupture under pressure, triggering a gas embolism.

4. Individuals With Upper Respiratory Infections

Colds, congestion, or sinus infections can impair a person’s ability to equalize pressure inside the ears and sinuses. This can result in ear discomfort, pain, or even middle ear injuries during treatment in the pressurized chamber. It’s recommended to postpone therapy until symptoms clear.

5. Patients on Certain Chemotherapy or Cancer Treatments

Some chemotherapy drugs can react negatively with oxygen therapy, increasing the risk of cellular toxicity. Additionally, individuals undergoing radiation therapy must consult their oncology team before integrating HBOT into their care plan.

6. Those With Uncontrolled High Fevers or Seizure Disorders

Patients with fever, seizure disorders, or a history of epilepsy may be more prone to experiencing complications during HBOT. Though rare, oxygen-induced seizures (due to too much oxygen) can occur and must be evaluated in the context of each patient’s history.

7. Pregnant Women (With Exceptions)

While HBOT may be used in life-threatening emergencies during pregnancy (e.g., carbon monoxide poisoning), routine use is avoided due to limited data on fetal exposure to hyperbaric oxygen. Pregnant patients should always be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

8. Claustrophobic or Anxious Patients

The experience of lying inside a sealed monoplace hyperbaric chamber may trigger anxiety or claustrophobia. For these individuals, multiplace chambers (where patients sit with others) or mild sedatives may be considered, though therapy may still be contraindicated in severe cases.

9. Individuals Taking Certain Medications or Supplements

People using blood thinners, herbal supplements (like ginkgo or garlic extract), or medications that alter blood flow may face an elevated risk of bruising or bleeding. Always inform your doctor of all medications and supplements before starting HBOT.

10. People with Pacemakers or Implanted Medical Devices

Although many devices are compatible with hyperbaric oxygen therapy, some pacemakers or implanted stimulators may malfunction under increased air pressure. Your hyperbaric physician will need to verify device safety with the manufacturer.

Final Word

While hyperbaric oxygen therapy is safe for most patients, thorough screening is essential. Always work with a qualified provider who understands your full medical history, performs necessary testing, and offers a personalized treatment plan. When used appropriately, HBOT can be a powerful tool for healing, especially for those with non-healing wounds, soft tissue infections, or radiation-induced injuries.

If you'd like to learn more about the treatment, contact Verita Health today. Our team of experts will answer all your questions and, if you're interested, book an appointment for you. 

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