02/07/2026
What Is HBOT and the Benefits
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy = breathing 100% oxygen in a pressurized chamber
This does not just “add oxygen.”
It:
• Dissolves oxygen directly into plasma
• Increases tissue oxygen tension 10–20x
• Activates gene expression, stem cell signaling, angiogenesis, and immune modulation
This is why it’s used medically—not woo woo.
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✅ FDA-Approved Medical Indications (Strong Evidence)
These are not controversial.
1. Non-healing wounds
Especially:
• Diabetic foot ulcers
• Chronic ischemic wounds
Mechanisms:
• ↑ angiogenesis (new blood vessel formation)
• ↑ fibroblast activity & collagen synthesis
• ↑ leukocyte killing capacity
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2. Radiation tissue injury
Including:
• Radiation cystitis
• Radiation proctitis
• Osteoradionecrosis
HBOT:
• Restores oxygen-starved irradiated tissue
• Reverses hypoxia-induced fibrosis
• Improves tissue elasticity & healing
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3. Carbon monoxide poisoning
HBOT:
• Displaces CO from hemoglobin faster
• Reduces delayed neurologic injury
• Improves mitochondrial function
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4. Gas embolism & decompression sickness
Classic diving medicine use.
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5. Certain severe infections
Including:
• Necrotizing fasciitis
• Refractory osteomyelitis
Why it works:
• Oxygen directly inhibits anaerobic pathogens
• Enhances antibiotic pe*******on
• Improves immune cell killing
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6. Crush injuries & compartment syndrome
• Reduces edema
• Improves tissue survival
• Preserves marginal tissue
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⚕️ Well-Supported Therapeutic Benefits (Strong Clinical Evidence)
These are commonly used in hospitals & clinics.
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7. Traumatic brain injury (TBI) & post-concussion syndrome
HBOT:
• Improves cerebral blood flow
• Enhances mitochondrial ATP production
• Reduces neuroinflammation
• Promotes neuroplasticity
Many patients show:
• Improved cognition
• Better memory
• Reduced headaches & fatigue
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8. Stroke recovery (post-acute)
Not for acute clot removal—but for rehabilitation phase.
Benefits:
• Reactivates “hibernating” neurons
• Improves motor and speech recovery
• Enhances neurogenesis
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9. Chronic inflammation & autoimmune dysregulation
HBOT:
• Down-regulates pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β)
• Shifts immune response toward repair
• Improves oxygen-dependent immune regulation
Used in:
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Lupus (supportive)
• Chronic inflammatory syndromes
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10. Long COVID & post-viral syndromes
Emerging but strong data shows improvement in:
• Brain fog
• Fatigue
• Dysautonomia
• Exercise intolerance
Mechanisms:
• Mitochondrial repair
• Microvascular restoration
• Neuroinflammation reduction
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🧬 Metabolic, Cellular & Regenerative Benefits
This is where functional medicine folks lean in—and appropriately.
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11. Mitochondrial biogenesis
HBOT activates:
• PGC-1α
• NRF-1
• Mitochondrial replication pathways
Result:
• ↑ ATP
• ↑ metabolic resilience
• ↓ fatigue syndromes
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12. Stem cell mobilization
HBOT increases circulating stem cells up to 8x.
Why this matters:
• Tissue regeneration
• Wound healing
• Neurologic recovery
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13. Angiogenesis (new blood vessels)
Through:
• VEGF signaling
• Nitric oxide pathways
Critical for:
• Ischemic tissue
• Brain injury
• Poor circulation
• Erectile dysfunction (supportive use)
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14. Gut & mucosal healing
HBOT improves:
• Intestinal barrier integrity
• Mucosal oxygenation
• Collagen repair
Used adjunctively in:
• Radiation colitis
• Ischemic gut injury
• Inflammatory bowel conditions (supportive)
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🧠 Neurologic, Mood & Cognitive Effects
15. Neuroplasticity & cognition
Patients report:
• Improved focus
• Memory enhancement
• Faster processing speed
Mechanism:
• Oxygen-dependent synaptic repair
• Reduced oxidative neuroinflammation
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16. Depression, anxiety & PTSD (adjunctive)
HBOT may:
• Normalize limbic system oxygenation
• Reduce neuroinflammatory signaling
• Improve sleep architecture
Often synergistic with therapy and nervous-system work.
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🧪 Anti-Aging & Longevity
17. Telomere lengthening
Studies show:
• Increased telomere length
• Reduced senescent cells
This suggests cellular rejuvenation, not just symptom relief.
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18. Improved insulin sensitivity & metabolic health
HBOT may:
• Improve glucose utilization
• Reduce oxidative stress
• Support metabolic flexibility
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⚠️ Important Caveats
HBOT is powerful medicine, not a spa treatment.
Possible risks:
• Barotrauma (ears/sinuses pressure similar to flying in a plane or scuba diving)
• Claustrophobia
• Blood sugar shifts in diabetics slightly…it drops
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• HBOT is one of the most biologically intelligent therapies we have:
• It works at the cellular, vascular, immune, and neurologic levels
• Best used strategically, not casually
• Most powerful when paired with nutrient repletion, mitochondrial support, and nervous system regulation.
We have Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy at Holistic Health Collective. Book your appointment today!
