HBOT: Everything you wanted to know about Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) involves breathing 100% oxygen in a pressurized chamber to enhance oxygen delivery throughout the body. Originally developed for decompression sickness and wound care, it is now being explored as a promising intervention for COVID vaccine injury, long COVID, brain injury, and inflammatory conditions. HBOT may help by reducing inflammation, restoring oxygen-starved tissues, modulating the immune system, and improving cognitive function. Below is a curated collection of peer-reviewed studies and reviews that highlight HBOT’s potential, safety profile, and impact across various conditions—especially those linked to COVID-related illness.

Provider Education:	From a Patient's Perspective:
Hear from one of the world's leading experts on HBOT in this React19 provider webinar:	WATCH: Patient, April Malina shares her experience with using HBOT.

Research on HBOT

Clinical Medicine: Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for the treatment of long COVID: early evaluation of a highly promising intervention
This early evaluation found significant improvements in fatigue, cognitive dysfunction ("brain fog"), and pain in long COVID patients after HBOT.
✅ Safety: Reported as well-tolerated with no serious side effects noted during treatment. Some participants experienced temporary ear discomfort or pressure, which is common in HBOT.
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Hyperbaric oxygen therapy: Can it be a novel supportive therapy in COVID‐19?
Reviews HBOT's ability to correct hypoxia, reduce inflammation, and improve tissue healing in COVID-19 cases. It proposes HBOT as an adjunct therapy for patients with severe symptoms.
⚠️ Side effects discussed: Barotrauma, oxygen toxicity, and claustrophobia are mentioned as known but manageable risks.
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European Journal of Medical Research: The effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) on coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19): a systematic review
This systematic review found consistent benefits of HBOT in reducing oxygen demand, shortening hospital stays, and improving lung function in moderate to severe COVID-19.
✅ Safety: No severe adverse events were reported in the reviewed studies; HBOT was considered safe with proper screening.
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Elsevier: Can hyperbaric oxygen safely serve as an anti-inflammatory treatment for COVID-19?
This article outlines HBOT’s anti-inflammatory effects, including reduction of cytokine storm and immune overactivation, which are hallmarks of severe COVID-19.
⚠️ Side effects mentioned: Emphasizes safety when administered in controlled settings. Mild, reversible side effects like barotrauma or temporary vision changes are possible.
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COVID-19, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT): what is the link?
Explores the mechanistic connection between HBOT and ARDS, suggesting that HBOT can improve alveolar oxygenation and reduce pulmonary inflammation.
Safety: Generally considered safe under supervision. Brief mentions of oxygen toxicity as a potential but rare concern.
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Polarization of macrophages in the blood after decompression in mice
Not a clinical COVID study, but shows how decompression (a model of HBOT) can influence macrophage polarization—shifting immune cells from inflammatory (M1) to healing (M2) states.
Notes: While side effects aren’t a focus, this mechanistic insight supports HBOT's broader immunomodulatory potential.
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BMJ Open: Effect of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on chronic neurocognitive deficits of post-traumatic brain injury patients: retrospective analysis
Found cognitive gains in TBI patients treated with HBOT—including improved attention, memory, and executive functioning. Suggests crossover relevance to long COVID brain symptoms.
Safety: No significant adverse effects reported; HBOT was well-tolerated in this retrospective cohort.
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