28 Oct 4 Benefits of HBOT For Stress and Anxiety
Do you need to find a way to stop feeling stressed and anxious all the time? Nowadays, it seems like everyone is constantly feeling overwhelmed for a number of different reasons. Your mental and physical health should always be a priority, and many innovations are being implemented to combat stress and anxiety—one of which is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT).
Could hyperbaric oxygen therapy be the solution to reducing your stress and anxiety levels? In this article, we’ll dive into what hyperbaric oxygen therapy is and the benefits it presents, which can help you to better manage the stress and anxiety you’re feeling.
What is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy?
While HBOT may sound like a new concept, it’s anything but. Many physicians have turned to it since the early 1600s to treat various medical conditions like carbon monoxide poisoning, decompression sickness, and chronic wounds. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, or HBOT for short, is a medical treatment in which patients inhale pure oxygen in a pressurised chamber or room.
As people continue to do further research into the benefits of HBOT, many studies have highlighted that this treatment has the potential to treat mental health issues, including the likes of stress and anxiety. More research is still necessary, but the results are promising.
What Are The Potential Benefits of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy For Stress and Anxiety?
Findings show that hyperbaric oxygen therapy has the potential to help people better manage and reduce their stress and anxiety. However, the exact mechanisms that help alleviate the symptoms still need further investigation, and many theories are still being developed. Here are some of the most prominent theories as to how HBOT can help people suffering from mental health issues like anxiety and stress:
Reduced inflammation
When people experience prolonged anxiety and stress, it has been shown to increase inflammation throughout the body. Through exploring the avenue of immuno-psychiatry, medical experts have found that many mental health disorders are closely linked to high inflammation.
HBOT has the ability to inhibit the production of inflammatory cytokines, which help counteract the inflammatory response and, therefore, reduce inflammation and swelling and in doing so could potentially help reduce an individual’s anxiety and stress levels.
Enhanced neuroplasticity
Studies have shown that HBOT may enhance the growth of neurons and synapses in the brain. This translates to people potentially having enhanced cognitive function and emotional resilience. Strengthening a person’s ability to better regulate their emotions and cognitive abilities could help reduce anxiety and stress levels.
Improved neurotransmitter balance
HBOT has been shown to potentially help balance neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine. These neurotransmitters play a critical role in managing your mood and anxiety levels. With a good balance of serotonin and dopamine, people should remain at equilibrium and not have rapid mood swings, anxiety, and stress.
Better oxygen transportation to the brain
Inhaling pure oxygen at high-pressure levels can help your blood dissolve oxygen much faster. With the faster process, oxygen then reaches the brain at a faster rate, and this could improve your overall cognitive function and reduce your anxiety levels. When you think straight, many of the issues that once seemed so big may not be as bad as you once thought.
Where can you go for HBOT?
Due to the promising results of HBOT, this therapy has become a highly sought-after treatment and is easily accessible to the public at medical and wellness centres. Many of these centres, like TH7, feature HBOT chambers. You can check out more information about the HBOT chambers at TH7 here!
Who should not go for HBOT?
HBOT is a safe treatment that, when done correctly, barely has any risks or side effects.
However, some individuals may experience side effects due to underlying conditions. So, it’s essential to talk to your doctor and get the go-ahead before trying Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy.
People who should not go to HBOT include anyone who:
- Has recently had a cold or the flu
- Has recently had ear surgery
- Has recently had an ear injury
- Has a certain type of lung disease
Final Thoughts
While hyperbaric oxygen therapy has been around for centuries, there is still so much more that needs to be understood about it and further research is needed in order to conclude the theories that surround this treatment with regard to mental health. So, before booking an HBOT session, always consult with your medical practitioner first to ensure it is a viable treatment for you and that it will not negatively affect any other conditions you may have.
- If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at org. To learn how to get support for mental health, drug or alcohol conditions, visit FindSupport.gov. If you are ready to locate a treatment facility or provider, you can go directly to FindTreatment.govor call 800-662-HELP (4357).
- S. veterans or service members who are in crisis can call 988 and then press “1” for the Veterans Crisis Line. Or text 838255. Or chat online.
- The Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in the U.S. has a Spanish language phone line at 1-888-628-9454 (toll-free).
More information:
The information on MedicalResearch.com is provided for educational purposes only, and is in no way intended to diagnose, cure, or treat any medical or other condition.
Some links are sponsored. Products and services are not tested, warranted or endorsed.
Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health and ask your doctor any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. In addition to all other limitations and disclaimers in this agreement, service provider and its third party providers disclaim any liability or loss in connection with the content provided on this website.
Last Updated on October 28, 2024 by Marie Benz MD FAAD