Could the results from the seemingly magical powers of hyperbaric oxygen chambers be too good to be true? What if I told you can improvise using deep breathing methods to imitate the experience and get similar results on a lower level by practicing new daily habits.
Imagine being told that there exists a method to reverse the aging process, revitalize your skin, expedite wound healing, accelerate injury recovery, combat infections and diseases, repair traumatic brain injuries, alleviate long-COVID symptoms, and reset your biological age. Would you find such information credible?
As hard as it might be to believe, studies of hyperbaric chamber therapy are showing that these claims aren’t actually exaggerated and that hyperbaric oxygen chambers are enclosed spaces that deliver 100% pure oxygen. The chambers work at pressures higher than normal atmospheric pressure. And they’re rapidly changing the game in the field of health and recovery.
At the price of a luxury midrange car, having a hyperbaric oxygen chamber in your home might be too exaggerated, and starting at fifty thousand dollars (see link above) in the USA, will probably cost a lot more in Brazil because of import taxes and fees to have it shipped. Clearly, it isn’t within the average person’s budget. Therefore, using methods to breathe better at home are your next best solution.
Imagine you’re diving deep into the ocean. The water pressure increases. Your lungs work harder to breathe. That’s similar to how these chambers operate. When you’re in a hyperbaric chamber, you breathe in pure oxygen at pressures 1.5 to 3 times higher than normal.
This supercharged environment helps your lungs gather more oxygen. It floods your blood with oxygen. It makes the oxygen travel faster and farther into your tissues. It brings life-giving oxygen to areas that need it most. It’s like giving your body a superpower.
Hyperbaric oxygen chambers work by exposing the body to 100% oxygen at a pressure that’s greater than normal atmospheric levels. Here’s a step-by-step look at how they work:
By entering the chamber, the patient either lies down in a smaller, single-person chamber or sits in a larger multi-person chamber. In a hospital setting, you’re more likely to see the larger chambers.
The chamber is sealed, and the pressure inside is gradually increased. This increased pressure is akin to diving deep under the sea. The patient might feel a sensation similar to being in an airplane during take-off or landing, which is due to the change in pressure.
In this high-pressure environment, the patient breathes in pure oxygen. The lungs can now gather up to three times more oxygen than they would at normal atmospheric pressure.
Breathing right and oxygenating the body is something I’ve written about before, so I can tell you from personal experience with deep breathing which is in no way as adequate as using one of these chambers that the results are also very good.
The oxygen-rich blood circulates throughout the body, delivering high concentrations of oxygen to the tissues. This aids in healing by reducing swelling, fighting infection, and promoting the growth of new blood vessels.
Decompression comes after the treatment session, which could have lasted anywhere between 30 minutes to two hours. The pressure in the chamber is gradually reduced back to normal atmospheric levels. Once the pressure is back to normal, the patient can exit the chamber.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) can be an effective treatment for a variety of medical conditions, including certain types of wounds, infections, and radiation injuries. However, it should always be conducted under the supervision of a healthcare professional to ensure safety.
There are many health benefits associated to using a hyperbaric oxygen chamber which according to specialists will reverse the aging process. I’m no expert, so cannot confirm increased longevity. However, from my own deep breathing practices I’m comfortable to say oxygenation improves bodily functions, and hence is likely to increase long-term health.
Reversing the Aging Process – While it’s an overstatement to say that hyperbaric oxygen chambers can “reverse” the aging process, research suggests that they can have several positive effects on factors related to aging. However, it’s important to note that this is a relatively new field of research, and more studies are needed to fully understand the potential benefits and risks.
Stimulates Cell Regeneration and Revitalizes Skin – High levels of oxygen can stimulate the growth and regeneration of cells, including skin cells. This can potentially lead to healthier, more youthful-looking skin.
Chronic inflammation is associated with many age-related diseases, including heart disease, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s, and according to HBOT reduces inflammation. By reducing inflammation, HBOT could potentially help prevent or manage these conditions.
Collagen is a protein that gives skin its elasticity and structure, and the HBOT promotes collagen production. As we age, collagen production naturally decreases, leading to wrinkles and sagging skin. HBOT can stimulate collagen production, potentially slowing down these signs of skin aging.
Poor circulation can lead to various health problems, many of which become more common as we age. By promoting the growth of new blood vessels and improving the efficiency of existing ones, HBOT can improve circulation throughout the body.
Some research suggests that HBOT could potentially help maintain brain health as we age. A 2020 study found that HBOT can induce cognitive enhancements in healthy aging adults, including attention, information processing speed, and executive functions. This was related to changes in brain activity observed in MRI scans.
While these potential benefits are promising, it’s important to remember that HBOT is not a miracle cure for aging. Aging is a complex process that involves many factors, not all of which can be addressed by increasing oxygen levels in the body.
Hyperbaric chambers can help wounds heal faster. Think about it. Healing needs oxygen. The more oxygen you have, the faster your body can repair itself. It’s used in treating severe burns, diabetic foot ulcers, and skin grafts. It’s even used to speed up recovery after surgeries.
As mentioned previously, in a hyperbaric oxygen chamber, a person breathes in pure oxygen at pressures higher than atmospheric pressure. This results in the lungs absorbing more oxygen than usual. This oxygen-rich blood is then circulated throughout the body, delivering an increased amount of oxygen to the cells that are essential for healing.
An increased level of oxygen in the body stimulates the growth of new blood vessels, a process known as angiogenesis. This improves blood flow, especially in areas where it may be lacking due to injury or certain health conditions. Improved blood flow ensures that more oxygen and nutrients reach the wound, supporting and speeding up the healing process.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy can also reduce swelling (edema) that may occur around wounds. This reduction in swelling helps to improve blood flow and allows oxygen to reach the cells more effectively.
High levels of oxygen boost the activity of white blood cells, the body’s primary defense against infection. This means that the body is better equipped to fight off infections that could otherwise hinder the healing process.
Have a great day!
Prof. Carl Boniface
Vocabulary builder:
Akin (adj) = similar, parallel, like, analogous, alike, of the same kind
HBOT (abbreviation) = Hyperbaric oxygen therapy
Wrinkles (n) = creases, crinkles, lines, folds
MRI (abbreviation) = Magnetic resonance imaging
Edema (n) = is swelling, and the result of too much fluid in the tissues. Congestive heart failure or the vein not working well, also known as venous insufficiency, is often the cause. Symptoms of edema include: Swelling or puffiness of the tissue right under the skin, especially in legs or arms.
Hyperbolic (adj) = overkill is a way of taking exaggeration to the absolute ultimate limit, just for the fun of it.