Each hub pulls together the research, the gear, the clinics near you and the podcast episodes.
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Each hub pulls together the research, the gear, the clinics near you and the podcast episodes.
See every topic
The HBOT Hub
What hyperbaric oxygen actually does, hard vs soft chambers, and what to expect inside. Tested firsthand, graded honestly.
By Brent Wallace, longevity health coach, IIN certified Updated
For medical uses like decompression sickness and some slow-healing wounds, yes. For aging, a few small studies of 60 sessions in medical chambers look promising. Soft mild chambers are a different, much less studied thing. Try a session, but know what you're paying for.
The evidence meter
Filled segments show how strong the evidence is for the claim on the card.
The FDA has cleared HBOT devices for conditions like decompression sickness, carbon monoxide poisoning and some wounds that won't heal.
Source: FDA, "Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy: Get the Facts" (archived copy) (opens in a new tab)
In a randomized trial of healthy adults 64 and older, 60 sessions at 2 ATA improved attention and processing speed.
In 35 healthy older adults, 60 sessions lengthened telomeres in blood cells. There was no control group.
The studies above used medical chambers at 2 ATA with pure oxygen. Soft chambers run about 1.3 ATA and have very little research.
The FDA says HBOT hasn't been proven for these.
Source: FDA, "Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy: Get the Facts" (archived copy) (opens in a new tab)
Oxygen-rich chambers can catch fire fast. The FDA tells operators to follow strict safety rules.
Pressure on your ears and sinuses is the most common problem. Clear your ears as the pressure builds.
Start here
It's mostly lying still and clearing your ears.
I'm a longevity health coach, not a doctor.
If ear pain won't clear, or you have chest pain, trouble breathing or panic. Tell the operator right away.
Is a soft chamber as good as a hard one? Nobody knows yet. Almost all the research used hard medical chambers.
| Option | Pressure | Oxygen | Where | Research | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hard-shell medical chamber | 2.0 to 3.0 ATA | Pure oxygen through a mask or hood | Hospitals and clinics | Most studies | Medical uses and the aging studies |
| Soft-shell mild chamber Tested by Brent | About 1.3 ATA | Room air or an oxygen concentrator | Wellness centers, events and homes | Very little | Relaxing and trying it out |
Tested by Brent
I've only done a soft chamber, six sessions total. I didn't notice anything after, but inside I was very calm. It was perfect for meditating.
Healthspan Summit
Six sessions over two years at Healthspan Summit, three days in a row each time. I didn't notice anything after, but I was very calm inside. It had red lights built in too.
I'm always testing new gear and protocols. Join the Insiders and you'll hear about the next one first.
Put in your own numbers. The examples are just a starting point.
Sessions cost about $867 a month
Owning costs about $20 a month
Owning pays for itself in about 10 months.
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Pair it with light
The soft chamber I used had red lights built in. See every red light setup I've tried.
Hard medical chambers reach higher pressure with pure oxygen, and that's what most studies used. Soft mild chambers are gentler and much less studied.
Medical treatment and the aging studies used dozens, often 40 to 60.
Most people only feel ear pressure, like a plane landing.
Atmospheres absolute. Sea level is 1 ATA.
One small study found longer telomeres after 60 sessions, with no control group. Promising, not proven.
Medical chambers follow strict fire and safety rules. Ear and sinus pressure is the most common problem.
I'm always testing new gear and protocols. Tell me what you've got.
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