What is HBOT for Chronic Inflammation? Can Oxygen Therapy Help Calm an Overactive Immune System?
Reduce pain and live more free by using HBOT to help with chronic inflammation!
A Deep Dive into Research on Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy and Inflammatory Conditions
What Exactly is HBOT (and Why Does it Matter)?
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) involves breathing concentrated oxygen in a pressurized chamber. At Oxygen and Light in Lynnwood, WA, the pressure is increased to 1.3 ATA, which allows more oxygen to dissolve in the plasma and reach inflamed or poorly oxygenated tissues. This increase in oxygen supports healing, modulates immune function, and reduces oxidative stress.
Chronic inflammation underlies many modern conditions including autoimmune disease, gut issues, long COVID, arthritis, and chronic pain. HBOT may offer a supportive, drug-free way to reduce that inflammation at its root.
This article is for you if you:
Live with a chronic inflammatory condition
Experience joint pain, fatigue, brain fog, or gut discomfort
Are curious about HBOT as a non-pharmaceutical anti-inflammatory tool
A Brief History of Inflammation and Chronic Disease
Inflammation is a natural immune response to injury or infection. But when it becomes chronic, it can quietly damage tissues over time. Conditions like Crohn’s disease, fibromyalgia, and diabetes have all been linked to excessive or dysregulated inflammation.
As the limitations of pharmaceuticals become more apparent, researchers have turned to modalities like HBOT to target inflammation at the tissue and cellular level.
Important Terms and Concepts to Know
Chronic Inflammation:
A prolonged, dysregulated immune response often associated with long-term health issues.
Oxidative Stress
Imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants, contributing to inflammation.
Angiogenesis:
Formation of new blood vessels. HBOT helps stimulate this process for tissue repair.
Cytokines:
Proteins that regulate immune responses. HBOT helps modulate cytokine release in chronic inflammation.
Dysbiosis:
Imbalance in gut microbiota that can drive systemic inflammation.
The Breakdown
HBOT helps combat chronic inflammation through several mechanisms:
Increased oxygen availability enhances cell metabolism and supports detoxification.
Reduction in pro-inflammatory cytokines helps calm immune overactivation.
Stimulation of angiogenesis and tissue repair supports healing in damaged areas.
Modulation of oxidative stress balances immune activity without suppressing it entirely.
Conditions studied include:
Rheumatological disorders (Barilaro et al., 2017)
Diabetic ulcers (Capó et al., 2023)
Inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn’s (Li et al., 2024; Kaur et al., 2023)
Long COVID (Mrakic-Sposta et al., 2023)
Systemic inflammatory response syndrome (Gouveia et al., 2022)
Research on HBOT for Inflammation
A growing body of evidence supports HBOT as a modulator of inflammation:
Bin-Alamer et al. (2024) described HBOT as a neuromodulatory therapy capable of reducing inflammation and improving brain-body communication.
De Wolde et al. (2021) found that HBOT reduces oxidative stress and promotes angiogenesis, both essential for inflammation resolution.
Li et al. (2024) demonstrated that HBOT improved gut microbiota and reduced systemic inflammation in Crohn’s patients.
Capó et al. (2023) showed how HBOT accelerated healing in diabetic wounds by reducing inflammatory markers and boosting growth factors.
Woo et al. (2020) noted decreased inflammation and oxidative stress following HBOT after acute physical stress.
Bosco et al. (2018) confirmed that HBOT reduced inflammation and oxidative markers in patients with osteonecrosis.
Even veterinary and pediatric research is expanding:
Gouveia et al. (2022) reported positive outcomes in systemic inflammatory response in animal models.
Myśliwiec et al. (2022) reviewed the potential for HBOT to address inflammation-related post-COVID symptoms in children.
Safety and Considerations
At low pressures, like the 1.3 ATA used at Oxygen and Light, HBOT is considered safe and well-tolerated.
Possible side effects:
Temporary sinus or ear pressure
Mild fatigue after sessions
HBOT is non-invasive and does not involve pharmaceuticals, making it a gentle option for many people managing chronic conditions. However, consult your healthcare provider if you have lung disease, uncontrolled high fever, or recent ear surgery.
Where Can I Learn More?
Studies:
Bin-Alamer et al. (2024) – Front Neurol
Capó et al. (2023) – Int J Mol Sci
Li et al. (2024) – J Transl Med
Woo et al. (2020) – IJERPH
De Wolde et al. (2021) – Biomolecules
Kaur et al. (2023) – Curr Opin Gastroenterol
Bosco et al. (2018) – J Enzyme Inhib Med Check.
Books: Oxygen Under Pressure by Dr. Paul Harch
Key Takeaways
HBOT may help reduce systemic inflammation and oxidative stress.
It has been studied in conditions like Crohn’s disease, arthritis, long COVID, and diabetic ulcers.
Research suggests improvements in immune regulation, tissue repair, and microbiome balance.
At low pressure, it is a safe, well-tolerated tool to support chronic inflammation recovery.
Interested in exploring HBOT for your inflammatory condition? Reach out to Oxygen and Light to learn more about integrative healing.
