Can Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Reverse Ageing And Protect Our Health?

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) has been brought to our attention recently with experts claiming it to slow down, or even reverse the ageing process.

Initially used as early as 1662 for treating decompression sickness in divers, its application has expanded dramatically in the modern era of biohacking, helping us with everything from incredible wound healing capabilities to achieving optimum mental clarity.

By combining HBOT with other holistic treatments, such as red light therapy and other biohacking tools, this therapy is set to be truly groundbreaking. Healf investigates both the truth and the science behind the supposed ‘cure all’ therapy. 

Introducing Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT)

So, what is HBOT? In essence, it’s a therapy that involves breathing in concentrated oxygen. The pressure inside the HBOT chamber essentially helps your body absorb more oxygen, delivering it deep into your tissues via the smallest blood vessels — known as capillaries. This process, termed perfusion, may promote faster healing by reducing inflammation, and it even supports mental clarity by oxygenating the brain.

As for ageing, HBOT has been found to slow down the ageing process by helping cells stay healthier longer and preventing the shortening of protective caps on our DNA, known as telomeres.

The science behind it is indeed well established and documented. Under pressure, oxygen dissolves more easily into the body’s blood plasma, enabling it to reach areas that might not ordinarily get sufficient oxygen. This boost helps your body’s natural healing processes, making it useful for a range of conditions from chronic wounds to sports injuries.

"Hyperbaric therapy enriches the blood and plasma with oxygen, pushing it to every corner of the body. It’s anti-inflammatory, boosts collagen production, releases stem cells, and even improves brain oxygenation, leaving people feeling mentally clearer and physically revived."

Davitt Meenaghan, Founder of ReWell Ltd

HBOT: Uses for optimal health

In medical settings, HBOT is often used to treat conditions such as carbon monoxide poisoning, radiation injury, and diabetic neuropathy. It is widely being adopted by the medical system outside of alternative therapies. It’s now FDA approved for around 14 to 16 medical conditions, but more and more wellness clinics are adopting it for general health purposes, instead of isolated conditions.

At ReWell, HBOT is integrated into personalised health plans for people dealing with issues like fertility challenges, sports injuries, and post-viral fatigue, including long COVID.

In the case of fertility, for example, both partners may use HBOT to enhance their chances of conception by increasing cellular oxygenation, which can help regulate reproductive functions. And for athletes, professional or otherwise, it’s becoming a popular therapy to speed up recovery time, reduce muscle soreness, and keep them at peak performance.

"HBOT can help clients dealing with post-COVID fatigue, restoring their energy and promoting healing at the cellular level."

Why HBOT?

Let’s look further into the ‘why?’ behind the success of HBOT.

Physiologically, HBOT works by saturating your body’s tissues with oxygen. While red blood cells normally carry oxygen, the pressure in the HBOT chamber ensures that even your blood plasma gets saturated. This extra oxygen can then travel to areas that are starved of it. And it is a mechanism that makes it particularly useful for those recovering from injury or surgery.

One of the key benefits of HBOT is its ability to stimulate collagen production and the release of stem cells. This accelerates tissue repair, making it an ideal treatment for sports injuries or post-surgical recovery.

HBOT meets Red Light Therapy

To supercharge the effects of HBOT, many clinics pair it with red light therapy for an exaggerated effect.

This is because red light therapy works by enhancing mitochondrial function—the powerhouse of the cell—and boosting ATP (adenosine triphosphate) production. Ultimately, it makes a great pairing with HBOT as it makes your cells more efficient at using oxygen.

While the science is impressive, the experience of HBOT is designed to be as relaxing as possible. At ReWell, clients are guided into a parasympathetic state—think of it as your body’s "rest and digest" mode. 

"When I put people into the chambers, I'm trying to get them into a parasympathetic state. So, I give them noise-cancelling earphones and play binaural beats. I also give them a drink with eucalyptus, peppermint, Manuka honey, apple cider vinegar, and ionised distilled water, which opens their lungs and helps them absorb more oxygen. Getting clients into a relaxed, parasympathetic state during HBOT allows them to maximise the therapy’s benefits, both physically and mentally."

At ReWell, clients often pair HBOT with other biohacking tools like NAD+ therapy, which has been shown to reduce biological age by over a year in just 30 days, and methylene blue, a substance that helps the body use oxygen more efficiently. These therapies, used in combination with HBOT, provide a holistic approach to boosting performance and longevity.

Davitt also expressed interest in another component, methylene blue. Alongside HBOT, other biohacking tools like methylene blue are making waves. Though commonly found in fish tanks, when taken in small doses, this substance helps the body use oxygen more efficiently, amplifying the effects of HBOT. This combination of synergistic therapies offers a cutting-edge approach to efficacy.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy is a truly exciting area to be involved in right now. It is proof that great results can be achieved by treating the body on an all-systems level, in other words holistically, with the whole body immersed in the healing potential and wonders of HBOT.

Whatever your needs might be, HBOT offers a non-invasive, scientifically-backed method to do so. Paired with other cutting-edge treatments, such as red light therapy or NAD+ infusions, it’s clear that HBOT is more than just a trend. It’s a transformative health tool with real, tangible benefits.

To learn more about HBOT with Davitt, visit ReWell .

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