What is HBOT and Red Light Therapy for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)?

A Deep Dive Into Oxygen, Light, and Brain Recovery

What Exactly is HBOT and Red Light Therapy (and Why Does it Matter)?

Most people think of brain injuries as only relevant in emergencies, car accidents, or sports trauma. But what many don’t realize is that mild or moderate traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) can have lasting effects on memory, focus, behavior, and mood, sometimes for years.

This is where therapies like hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) and red light therapy come into play. These treatments work by creating an optimal healing environment for the brain, helping restore energy production in damaged cells and reducing inflammation, key factors in long-term recovery.

This guide is for you if you:

• Have had a concussion or TBI and still experience symptoms

• Are exploring natural or supportive therapies for cognitive healing

• Want to understand how oxygen and light can support brain function

Let’s break it all down.

A Brief History of Brain Therapy

Oxygen therapy has been around since the 1600s, but the modern use of HBOT in medicine began in the mid-1900s for conditions like decompression sickness in divers. Over time, clinicians started observing neurological benefits in patients who underwent repeated sessions, especially those with cognitive impairments.

Red light therapy, originally studied by NASA for wound healing in astronauts, found new applications in dermatology, pain management, and eventually brain health. As evidence grew, researchers began combining both modalities for even more powerful outcomes.

Today, clinics like Oxygen and Light in Lynnwood, WA offer integrative treatment protocols using both HBOT and photobiomodulation (red/near-infrared light) to target brain injury recovery.

Important Terms and Concepts to Know

HBOT (Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy):

A treatment where individuals breathe oxygen in a pressurized chamber. At Oxygen and Light, we pressurize chambers to 1.3 atmospheres and deliver oxygen through a nasal cannula. This increases the amount of oxygen dissolved in the plasma, helping it reach damaged tissues more easily.

Red Light Therapy (Photobiomodulation):

The use of red and near-infrared light stimulates mitochondrial activity, reduces inflammation, and promotes tissue regeneration.

Neuroplasticity:

The brain’s ability to reorganize and form new neural connections. Many therapies aim to support this adaptability during healing.

Inflammation:

A key player in TBI. Controlling neuroinflammation is essential for reducing symptoms and protecting brain tissue.

ATP Production:

The cellular “energy currency” that powers healing. Both HBOT and red light have increased ATP synthesis in neurons.

The Breakdown

Red Light Therapy for TBI

Red light therapy works by delivering red and near-infrared wavelengths deep into brain tissues. This stimulates the mitochondria, reduces inflammation, and improves blood flow. Multiple studies have shown positive cognitive changes from red light therapy, including:

• Improved memory and executive function (Naeser et al., 2011, 2014)

• Reduced post-concussion symptoms and emotional instability

• Better sleep and mood regulation

HBOT for TBI

HBOT involves entering a pressurized chamber while breathing concentrated oxygen via nasal cannula. The increased pressure allows more oxygen to dissolve in the blood plasma, which reaches damaged brain regions more effectively than through regular breathing.

Research shows HBOT can:

• Improve attention, focus, and processing speed (Liu et al., 2023)

• Reduce inflammation and oxidative stress (Geng et al., 2016)

• Support recovery even years after the initial injury (Hadanny et al., 2022)

Research on Red Light and HBOT for TBI

Red light therapy has demonstrated significant promise in both clinical trials and case studies. Naeser et al. (2011, 2014) observed improvements in cognitive performance in individuals with chronic TBI, including better executive functioning and reduced symptoms. More recently, systematic reviews such as Alashram et al. (2023) have highlighted consistent positive outcomes.

HBOT has shown benefits in randomized controlled trials. For example, Liu et al. (2023) found that patients with mild TBI had significantly better cognitive outcomes with HBOT compared to normobaric hyperoxia. Another study by Hadanny et al. (2022) showed that children with post-concussion syndrome had marked improvements in attention and behavior after undergoing HBOT.

Moreover, reviews by Schimmel et al. (2023) and Bin-Alamer et al. (2024) support HBOT as a neuromodulatory treatment that could be expanded to various neurocognitive disorders.

Safety and Considerations

Both HBOT and red light therapy are considered safe when conducted under medical supervision. At Oxygen and Light:

• HBOT is delivered at a mild pressure (1.3 ATA) with oxygen administered through a nasal cannula. This lower pressure reduces risk of oxygen toxicity and barotrauma.

• Red light therapy is non-invasive and does not produce heat or damage tissue. Sessions are brief and well-tolerated.

Common side effects for HBOT may include temporary ear pressure discomfort, sinus irritation, or fatigue. Red light therapy side effects are rare and typically limited to mild, temporary eye sensitivity.

Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before starting these treatments, especially if you have epilepsy, a history of seizures, or pulmonary conditions.

Where Can I Learn More?

Resources:

• Books: The Concussion Repair Manual by Dr. Dan Engle

• Courses: [Insert if applicable]

• Podcasts: The Broken Brain, FoundMyFitness

• Articles and Studies:

• Naeser et al. (2014) – J Neurotrauma

• Liu et al. (2023) – Medicine

• Hadanny et al. (2022) – Sci Reports

• Alashram et al. (2023) – Appl Neuropsychol Adult

• Bin-Alamer et al. (2024) – Front Neurol

Key Takeaways

• HBOT and red light therapy both promote healing at the cellular level

• They’re safe, non-invasive tools that support cognitive recovery

• These therapies improve oxygen delivery, mitochondrial activity, and inflammation

• Clinics like Oxygen and Light in Lynnwood make these cutting-edge treatments accessible

If you’re ready to explore what’s possible after brain injury, reach out or schedule a consultation to learn how oxygen and light can support your recovery.

Citations:

• Naeser MA, et al. J Neurotrauma. 2014;31(11):1008–17.

• Liu Z, et al. Medicine. 2023;102(37):e35215.

• Hadanny A, et al. Sci Rep. 2022;12(1):15233.

• Alashram AR, et al. Appl Neuropsychol Adult. 2023;30(5):602–613.

• Geng F, et al. Neuroimmunomodulation. 2016;23(2):122–9.

• Bin-Alamer O, et al. Front Neurol. 2024;15:1450134.