What is HBOT and Red Light Therapy for PTSD? Can These Breakthrough Tools Help Calm the Brain and Restore Mental Health?
A Deep Dive Into Oxygen, Light, and PTSD Recovery
What Exactly is HBOT and Red Light Therapy (and Why Does it Matter)?
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) affects millions of individuals who’ve experienced trauma, including veterans, accident survivors, and those who’ve suffered abuse. Symptoms like hypervigilance, sleep disturbances, brain fog, and emotional dysregulation can last for years.
That’s where therapies like hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) and red light therapy come in. These interventions aim to repair the brain’s healing systems at the cellular level. By increasing oxygenation, reducing inflammation, and improving mitochondrial activity, they help address the root biological imbalances associated with PTSD.
This guide is for you if you:
Have been diagnosed with PTSD or experience trauma-related symptoms
Want to explore natural, evidence-based options for brain health
Are curious how oxygen and light might work together to regulate mood, cognition, and nervous system function
A Brief History of PTSD Treatment
For decades, PTSD treatment centered on talk therapy and medications. While effective for some, many patients found only partial relief. Researchers began exploring non-pharmacological, biological approaches, including brain stimulation, neurofeedback, and light or oxygen-based therapies.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy, long used in wound care, began gaining attention for its brain-healing potential. Simultaneously, red light therapy showed promising results in enhancing mood, improving sleep, and supporting brain metabolism.
Now, facilities like Oxygen and Light in Lynnwood, WA combine these technologies in safe, accessible formats that support trauma recovery from the inside out.
Important Terms and Concepts to Know
PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder):
A mental health condition triggered by experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. Symptoms can include flashbacks, anxiety, insomnia, and difficulty regulating mood.
HBOT (Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy)
Red Light Therapy (Photobiomodulation):
The use of red and near-infrared wavelengths to stimulate healing in brain cells, reduce neuroinflammation, and promote energy production.
Neuroinflammation:
A major contributor to PTSD symptoms. Chronic inflammation in the brain can disrupt cognition, sleep, and emotional regulation.
Neuroplasticity:
The brain’s ability to form new connections. Therapies like HBOT and red light help restore this plasticity, creating a stronger foundation for long-term mental health.
The Breakdown
Red Light Therapy for PTSD
Red light therapy supports the healing of brain tissue by improving mitochondrial function and reducing neuroinflammation. Studies have explored its use in mood disorders, cognitive dysfunction, and trauma-related symptoms:
Cassano et al. (2016) reviewed red light therapy as a potential treatment for major depressive disorder, noting its impact on inflammation, oxidative stress, and neurogenesis.
Martin et al. (2021) demonstrated improvements in cognition and fatigue in veterans with Gulf War Illness using transcranial red light.
Rosson et al. (2022) included red light among promising non-pharmacological interventions for mental health.
HBOT for PTSD
HBOT works by increasing oxygen availability in brain tissue, enhancing recovery of damaged neurons and reducing inflammation:
Doenyas-Barak et al. (2022, 2024) conducted randomized controlled trials showing that HBOT significantly improved symptoms, emotional regulation, and brain function in veterans with treatment-resistant PTSD.
Andrews and Harch (2024) found HBOT to be effective across multiple studies and stressed the importance of proper dosing for long-term benefit.
Bin-Alamer et al. (2024) highlighted HBOT’s role as a neuromodulatory tool with broad applications in mental health.
Research on Red Light and HBOT for PTSD
Red light therapy is emerging as a supportive tool for addressing symptoms of PTSD. Hamblin (2016) summarized photobiomodulation’s neuroprotective effects, especially in the context of brain disorders involving inflammation and mitochondrial dysfunction. Red light has shown potential in boosting mood, cognition, and resilience against stress.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy, once considered fringe in this space, is now backed by robust clinical data. Multiple reviews and trials, including work by Eve et al. (2016), Parr et al. (2021), and Doenyas-Barak et al. (2023–2024), point to its effectiveness in:
Improving sleep and mood
Enhancing brain microstructure and connectivity
Reducing PTSD symptoms in veterans who did not respond to conventional therapy
Importantly, both therapies aim to restore function at the cellular level, not just mask symptoms.
Safety and Considerations
Red light therapy and HBOT are considered safe when administered correctly.
At Oxygen and Light:
HBOT is delivered at a low pressure (1.3 ATA) using a nasal cannula. This method reduces the risk of oxygen toxicity while still delivering therapeutic benefits.
Red light therapy is non-invasive, painless, and well-tolerated. No heat or UV rays are involved.
Possible side effects:
For HBOT: mild ear pressure or sinus irritation, which usually resolves quickly
For red light: temporary eye sensitivity if exposed directly
Consult with a healthcare provider before beginning treatment, especially if you have epilepsy, lung conditions, or recent surgeries.
Where Can I Learn More?
Resources:
Books: The Concussion Repair Manual by Dr. Dan Engle
Podcasts: Huberman Lab, FoundMyFitness, Healing Warriors
Studies:
Hamblin (2016) – BBA Clin
Cassano et al. (2016) – Neurophotonics
Doenyas-Barak et al. (2022–2024) – Multiple trials
Andrews & Harch (2024) – Front Neurol
Bin-Alamer et al. (2024) – Front Neurol
Key Takeaways
Both HBOT and red light therapy show promise for PTSD relief
These treatments target brain inflammation, oxygenation, and neurogenesis
Research supports their use in veterans, trauma survivors, and those with chronic mental health symptoms
Oxygen and Light offers integrative care for PTSD recovery
If you or someone you love is looking for a science-backed, drug-free approach to healing trauma, reach out to schedule your first experience of HBOT today with our New Client special!
