Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT): General information and discussion of Home Units

[Yas]

Pretty interesting video. The interviewed doc has an holistic approach. He talks about HBOT of course, but also its synergies with other therapies. I noted a few points of interest:
- 5 sessions a week, 60-120 minutes per session
- synergies with ketogenic diet
- niacin flush to boost oxygenation
- cryotherapy and neurofeedback
- sauna afterwards HBOT
- IV vit. C
- There is no study showing that HBOT favors cancers instead it seems to have a low regressive effect.

Wow, that video was very interesting and informative. It gives an idea of what to do together with HBOT in order to maximize the benefits.

I've been looking into this a bit more because I wanted to find some protocol examples and I've found this clinic that gives a list of example protocols (this is just as information from one source, I still want to look at other sources)

EXAMPLES OF APPROPRIATE OXYGEN THERAPY FOR SOME CONDITIONS

Condition/Pressure/Time

• Cancer 2.0.24 ATA FOR 60-90 minutes
• Motor Vehicle Accident/TBI 1.5 ATA-1.75 ATA for 90 minutes
• Stem Cell Induction/Anti-Aging 2.4 ATA for 90 minutes
• Cognitive Decline/Dementia 1.5-1.75 ATA for 60-90 minutes
• Radiation Damage 2.4 ATA for 90 minutes
• Sudden Hearing Loss 2.0-2.4 ATA for 90 minutes
• Lyme Disease 2.4 ATA for 90 minutes
• Fibromyalgia/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome 2.4 ATA for 60-90 minutes
• Peripheral Neuropathy 2.4 ATA for 60-90 minutes
• Post Concussive Syndrome/TBI 1.5-1.75 ATA for 60-90 minutes
• Exercise Recovery/Sports Injury 1.5-2.4 ATA for 60-90 minutes
• Ulcerative Colitis/Crohn’s Disease 2.0-2.4 ATA for 60-90 minutes

[...]

HOW MANY TREATMENTS/SESSIONS WILL I NEED?

A treatment plan is based on your diagnosis or condition. The majority of conditions require 10-40 treatments or more depending on the severity of the individual’s case. An HBO treatment session generally lasts about 1.5 to 2 hours total and administered 5 days a week.

I also found a study related to aging and telomere length which is very interesting and mentions the protocol they used:

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy increases telomere length and decreases immunosenescence in isolated blood cells: a prospective trial

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy increases telomere length and decreases immunosenescence in isolated blood cells: a prospective trial | Aging

Aging | doi:10.18632/aging.202188. Yafit Hachmo, Amir Hadanny, Ramzia Abu Hamed, Malka Daniel-Kotovsky, Merav Catalogna, Gregory Fishlev, Erez Lang, Nir Polak, Keren Doenyas, Mony Friedman, Yonatan Zemel, Yair Bechor, Shai Efrati

www.aging-us.com

Abstract
Introduction: Aging is characterized by the progressive loss of physiological capacity. At the cellular level, two key hallmarks of the aging process include telomere length (TL) shortening and cellular senescence. Repeated intermittent hyperoxic exposures, using certain hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) protocols, can induce regenerative effects which normally occur during hypoxia. The aim of the current study was to evaluate whether HBOT affects TL and senescent cell concentrations in a normal, non-pathological, aging adult population.

Methods: Thirty-five healthy independently living adults, aged 64 and older, were enrolled to receive 60 daily HBOT exposures. Whole blood samples were collected at baseline, at the 30th and 60th session, and 1-2 weeks following the last HBOT session. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) telomeres length and senescence were assessed.

Results: Telomeres length of T helper, T cytotoxic, natural killer and B cells increased significantly by over 20% following HBOT. The most significant change was noticed in B cells which increased at the 30th session, 60th session and post HBOT by 25.68%±40.42 (p=0.007), 29.39%±23.39 (p=0.0001) and 37.63%±52.73 (p=0.007), respectively.

There was a significant decrease in the number of senescent T helpers by -37.30%±33.04 post-HBOT (P<0.0001). T-cytotoxic senescent cell percentages decreased significantly by -10.96%±12.59 (p=0.0004) post-HBOT.

In conclusion, the study indicates that HBOT may induce significant senolytic effects including significantly increasing telomere length and clearance of senescent cells in the aging populations.

In the Discussion section, at the end, they mention the protocol they used:

Currently, many interventions that genetically or pharmacologically (senolytic drugs) remove senescent cells have been developed in animal models and are waiting for safety and efficacy evaluations in humans [33]. The current study suggests a non-pharmacological method, clinically available with well-established safety profile, for senescent cells populations decrease. Our protocol included 60 sessions of 100% oxygen at 2 ATA including three air breaks during each session to utilize the hyperoxic hypoxic paradox and minimize the risk of oxygen toxicity. Interestingly, both TL and senescent cell reduction peaked at the 30th session.

And what I've found interesting too is that they mention air breaks, which is what the doctor in the video posted by Pierre mentions too. In the study above, they say:

As used in the current study, the HBOT protocol utilizes the effects induced by repeated intermittent hyperoxic exposures, the so called hyperoxic hypoxic paradox [13, 18]. These intermittent hyperoxic exposures induce an adaptive response which includes increased upregulation of antioxidants genes [32] and production of antioxidants/scavengers that adjust to the increased ROS generation causing the ROS/scavenger ratio to gradually becomes similar to the ratio under a normal oxygen environment. However, because the scavenger elimination half-life (T1/2) is significantly longer than the T1/2 of ROS, upon return to normoxia, following repeated hyperoxic exposures, there are significantly higher levels of scavengers and increased antioxidant activity [13, 18]. Thus, similar to physical exercise and caloric restriction, a daily repeated HBOT protocol can induce the hormesis phenomenon. Single exposures increase ROS generation acutely, triggering the antioxidant response, and with repeated exposures, the response becomes protective [13, 18].

What I understand is similar to what they say in the video, that you can benefit from a few treatments but in order for it to become more of a permanent thing, you need to do it 30-40, or more times.

 

[aimarok]

Our protocol included 60 sessions of 100% oxygen at 2 ATA including three air breaks during each session to utilize the hyperoxic hypoxic paradox and minimize the risk of oxygen toxicity.

They used HBC with a gas mask in this study, making such air breaks possible. I wonder if a breathing pause can do the same effect as an air break when HBC without a mask (pure oxygen inside) is used. And how long should be...

 

[NewEngland Seeker]

Eye abnormalities (progressive myopia and cataracts)

I would think that keeping the eyes closed with cucumber slices and a moist cloth covering the eyes which was moistened with vitamin C and water-soluble E solution would reduce/eliminate the free radical damage from the high oxygen environment.

 

[aimarok]

So far I went through two HBOT sessions at 2 ATA at a local clinic. The first session compression phase was tolerably painful in the forehead region, the second one was less painful. During decompression phase there was a bubbling sound/feeling which made me conclude that my frontal sinuses are likely blocked. I suspect a fungus infection having some indirect indications to this, but that's another story. Just take a note that sinus blockage may lead to pain during compression phase.

 

[irjO]

I was thinking and it may appear silly, according to my 23andMe DNA test, i have a high chance or probability to develop macular degeneration on my eyes when getting older (hopefully it may not occur) and then for those with eye conditions, would affect the same way in our eyes if we go inside the chamber with googles like the pool ones:




Like if you wear them tight, would that help the therapy to have less impact on our eyes?
I was trying to get info about it but couldn’t find any.
According to a Q&A section of one of the websites that provides these services, and as mentioned before in the threat, certain materials can affect the oxygen inside.

Can I wear glasses in the chamber?
Yes, you can.

Can I wear my shoes inside the chamber?

Before entering the chamber you put on special slippers from pure cotton, as other materials are not suitable for the environment of the chamber, besides you could also transfer contaminants into the chamber on your shoes.

So most googles are made of plastic and silicone, don’t know if those will affect the oxygen quality. Although most glasses are made of plastic.
What do you think of this idea?

 

[whitecoast]

I was thinking and it may appear silly, according to my 23andMe DNA test, i have a high chance or probability to develop macular degeneration on my eyes when getting older (hopefully it may not occur) and then for those with eye conditions, would affect the same way in our eyes if we go inside the chamber with googles like the pool ones:

How how a probability are we talking? If something doubles your risk of cancer, and the baseline rate is one in ten thousand, that's still only a one in five thousand chance. Personally I don't worry too much about "genetic predispositions" unless they're for something like cystic fibrosis (100% probability if you have 2 recessive alleles for it). Remember they only usually only study a gene in isolation, without respect to the other genes you have, and even then genes can be turned off or on depending on environmental inputs. But if it makes you feel like you're in a little more control, then by all means try it. Maybe it could be useful to someone like Laura who has issues with her eyes which she may not wish to exacerbate.

 

[whitecoast]

I mean to say "How high* a probability are we talking" btw.

 

[irjO]

Personally I don't worry too much about "genetic predispositions" unless they're for something like cystic fibrosis (100% probability if you have 2 recessive alleles for it). Remember they only usually only study a gene in isolation, without respect to the other genes you have, and even then genes can be turned off or on depending on environmental inputs.

Yeah, I shouldn’t be worry much about it. It’s just I thought I had related to the issue and after hearing others with more advanced problems on their eyes like Laura’s example. But could be something to try I think. (The googles experiment)

 

[SOTTREADER]

Don't let the title put you off nor the ladies tone of voice - the video is actually jam-packed with useful information. Spoiler alert - the conclusion is not that HBOT are useless but rather, she's criticising media reports of it and also the limitations of some studies. In so doing she actually delivers some useful information though a bit technical!!!!

Still building my understanding of it but opting to come at it from the other side - as the internet is flooded with countless articles and videos on benefits, I'm on the hunt of those stating limitations to see what it is they are saying and whether they have any merit.

 

[Laura]

So far I went through two HBOT sessions at 2 ATA at a local clinic. The first session compression phase was tolerably painful in the forehead region, the second one was less painful. During decompression phase there was a bubbling sound/feeling which made me conclude that my frontal sinuses are likely blocked. I suspect a fungus infection having some indirect indications to this, but that's another story. Just take a note that sinus blockage may lead to pain during compression phase.

From what I have read, the HBOT should clear up a host of infections from bacterial to fungal. It will be interesting to see how your sinuses react to a few more sessions. Keep us posted. And maybe describe the whole procedure.

 

[Laura]

I was thinking and it may appear silly, according to my 23andMe DNA test, i have a high chance or probability to develop macular degeneration on my eyes when getting older (hopefully it may not occur) and then for those with eye conditions, would affect the same way in our eyes if we go inside the chamber with googles like the pool ones:


View attachment 58280

Like if you wear them tight, would that help the therapy to have less impact on our eyes?
I was trying to get info about it but couldn’t find any.
According to a Q&A section of one of the websites that provides these services, and as mentioned before in the threat, certain materials can affect the oxygen inside.





So most googles are made of plastic and silicone, don’t know if those will affect the oxygen quality. Although most glasses are made of plastic.
What do you think of this idea?

From what I have read, macular degeneration is one of the conditions that HBOT benefits greatly. And I doubt seriously that wearing goggles would have any effect at all on the pressure.

 

[Laura]

Don't let the title put you off nor the ladies tone of voice - the video is actually jam-packed with useful information. Spoiler alert - the conclusion is not that HBOT are useless but rather, she's criticising media reports of it and also the limitations of some studies. In so doing she actually delivers some useful information though a bit technical!!!!

Still building my understanding of it but opting to come at it from the other side - as the internet is flooded with countless articles and videos on benefits, I'm on the hunt of those stating limitations to see what it is they are saying and whether they have any merit.

Good lord, what an ANNOYING voice that girl has! Not just the sound of her voice, but her accent is highly irritating. Sorry if anybody else has that accent...

Her analyses are weak sauce, at best. It almost seems as if she has been assigned to turn ordinary people off from HBOT because it might (God forbid) actually work. Rather like the attack on hydroxychloroquine and ivermectin as treatments for COVID. Can't have people trying things that work because then they won't be giving all their money to Big Pharma.

Here is the owner of that awful voice though there is very little available info about her:

 

[Miracle]

Some info for those here in the States trying to buy a unit.

1. I reached out to a company on Alibaba and got the response "The product you've requested was found to be a 'Prohibited Product 'and therefore breaches our Product Listing Policy." which I am assuming is due to the oxygen concentrator being a part of the purchase. So, not sure how to move past that if I wanted to import a unit.

2. There appears to be several companies in the states that make their own units (w/o the oxygen concentrator). The one that stands out to me is: 27" Mild Hyperbaric Chamber due to it being the cheapest and they sell an oxygen concentrator separately. I've left them a message to see if their chamber and the concentrator are compatible and will report back.

Anybody else here in the States got an eye on a decent unit worth pointing out to potential buyers?

 

[SOTTREADER]

Good lord, what an ANNOYING voice that girl has! Not just the sound of her voice, but her accent is highly irritating. Sorry if anybody else has that accent...

Her analyses are weak sauce, at best. It almost seems as if she has been assigned to turn ordinary people off from HBOT because it might (God forbid) actually work. Rather like the attack on hydroxychloroquine and ivermectin as treatments for COVID. Can't have people trying things that work because then they won't be giving all their money to Big Pharma.

Here is the owner of that awful voice though there is very little available info about her:

View attachment 58282

I noticed her critique was only from the angle of "anti-aging". From what I've heard though the benefits of HBOT are mostly in helping tissues rejuvenate. At the end of the day I think the proof is in the pudding - athletes (amongst others) use this and it works.

As to the lady, I did attempt to warn peeps about her tone of voice .

 

[Windmill knight]

We found some clinics that offer Hyperbaric Chamber sessions here in Mexico and we're in the process of finding out more about those clinics and also about the treatment itself. The clinic we're looking into now offers 15 sessions for about 146.5 USD. I'm going to do some more research and see what exactly the clinic is offering and report back .

I'm very excited because Yas and I just came back from a scouting mission and it turns out that there's a government-sponsored, very large and professional hyperbaric chamber open to the public 20 minutes away from where we live, and the sessions are also quite cheap!

Here are a couple of pictures:





We spoke with the doctor about Yas taking some sessions first, since she does have some health issues that need to be taken care of, and he sounded very knowledgeable but flexible as well. We were concerned that we would be met with bureaucratic blocks that would not let us make use of it, but apparently you just need a check up by the doc so he can see you aren't among the few people for whom it's counter-indicated, he needs to know about your condition, and you're good to go. Towards the end of our chat I asked him if they also had sportsmen, or if it was strictly for people with some illness, and he said they had had professional boxers and tri-athletes, etc. So I asked if I could do it too - that I didn't really have any illness, except for some mild occasional pains here and there, and he said it was ok!

He stresses that you must have at least 10 sessions in a row. If you need more, after the first 10 you are reassessed.

Regarding prices. He explained that a social worker checks your individual socio-economic situation and decides how much to charge based on that. There are three tiers:

1. 355 pesos per session (17 US dollars! )
2. 1200 pesos (58.60 USD)
3. 1800 pesos (88 USD)

But that they always try to give the cheaper price to everyone, so almost everyone pays tier 1 anyway!

Overall I found him very professional. He explained that the usual pressure they use is 2 ATA, but that for neurological conditions they use less pressure (which is consistent with what we've read in the articles). That you are constantly monitored during the session, and if you aren't feeling well, they can get you out half way through the session, since they have an ante-chamber (or that's what I understood). They also check you every session before and afterwards to see that your vitals are all good.

The chamber is not usually used to max capacity. It fits 12 people but today they had only six. He wants to promote it, because local people don't go in there much, but he does have patients being referred from hospitals in other towns and even from abroad (*hint*). And also because the government is thinking of taking teh chamber away to an oil rig. So before they do that, we plan to make use of it.

Yas may think of other interesting things to add to this report. For now, as I told the doctor, it seems to me a genuine miracle that there is one such thing right there, very accessible and affordable to us - especially because there are at least two people among us who could really benefit from it! We'll report again once we have the actual experience.