Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is widely used as an effective off-label use for stroke victims. Research has found that this therapy not only targets oxygenation of the effected area and reduces inflammation, but also has been shown to promote bone marrow stem cells (BMSCs) to proliferate and mobilize, which essentially becomes an important part of the neurogenic (nervous system growth) effects that have been demonstrated from hyperbaric procedures. Mobilization of these BMSCs to the damaged areas were more improved in long course hyperbaric treatments, suggesting the duration of therapy is crucial for promoting their neurogenic effects.

It is important to also note that emerging stem cell research has clearly demonstrated that BMSCs secrete brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and the addition of anti-BDNF neutralising antibodies to MSC-conditioned medium attenuated its neuroprotective effect <view study>

This study also looked at the release of BDNF and found that a 3 week course of HBOT was able to produce significantly higher levels of BDNF and GDNF, than shorter 2 day course of HBO. These results indicated that longer and repetitive HBO therapy promoted more neurotrophic factor production, including BDNF and GDNF. <view study> Read Less

Hypoxic tumors (tumors with low oxygen levels) are noted as one of the main reasons for failure to control malignant tumors with radiation therapy. Since hyperbaric oxygen improves oxygen supply to hypoxic tumors, thus increasing their levels, hyperbaric oxygen has sound clinical grounds for being used alongside radiation therapy. This study published in the International Journal of Clinical Oncology goes over the rationale for using this combination in more detail <view study> Read Less

Researchers found a significant anti-cancer effect when mice with systemic metastatic cancers were exposed to the combination of a ketogenic diet alongside hyperbaric oxygenation therapy. Recently hyperbaric oxygen therapy has been receiving a lot of attention for it’s beneficial effects when combined with chemo and radiation therapy. Now, it’s being looked at how natural therapies can also be enhanced <view study> Read Less

“Children with autism who received hyperbaric treatment at 1.3 ATA and 24% oxygen for 40 hourly sessions had significant improvements in overall functioning, receptive language, social interaction, eye contact, and sensory/cognitive awareness compared to children who received slightly pressurized room air...” <view study> Read Less

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) can be a debilitating condition that effects all ares of the individual's quality of life. Since oxygen is a key driver to the body’s energy stores (ATP), it would make sense that this therapy would be of benefit. This study evaluated 16 patients diagnosed with CFS following 3 weeks of hyperbaric treatments. The results documented improvements in all areas measured and noted that their were no complications and the treatments were well tolerated by all participants. Thus, a short 3 week duration of hyperbaric oxygen therapy could result in significant benefits for this patient population, in terms of quality of life <view study> Read Less