Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT)

What it is

HBOT delivers 100% oxygen at supra-atmospheric pressure (typically 2–2.5 ATA) for ~60–90 minutes per session, often as a course of 40–60 sessions. Approved indications include decompression sickness, arterial gas embolism, carbon monoxide poisoning, certain non-healing wounds, and radiation tissue injury.

Longevity-adjacent interest

A 2020 prospective trial in aging adults reported increases in telomere length and reductions in senescent-cell markers after 60 HBOT sessions. The trial was small, uncontrolled, and measured peripheral lymphocytes; the durability and clinical relevance of the effect are unestablished.

Proposed mechanism

• Repeated hyperoxia-hypoxia cycles trigger a HIF-mediated hormetic response.
• Mitochondrial biogenesis and stem-cell mobilisation.
• Reduced inflammation.
• Possible cognitive and microvascular benefits in selected populations (post-stroke, persistent post-concussion symptoms, fibromyalgia).

Risks

• Barotrauma (ears, sinuses).
• Reversible myopia.
• Oxygen toxicity (rare).
• Fire risk in chamber (strict protocols mitigate).
• Cost: a longevity-style 60-session protocol is expensive and time-consuming.

State of evidence

Outside established medical indications the evidence base is small, short-term, and largely uncontrolled. Treat longevity claims with care.

Related entries

Hormesis, Mitochondrial dysfunction.