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MHBOT and Inflammation

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is remarkably effective at reducing inflammation through several interconnected mechanisms, primarily by flooding the body’s tissues with a much higher oxygen concentration than normally possible. Here’s a breakdown of the key ways it achieves this:

Direct Reduction of Inflammatory Mediators (Cytokines):
- Inflammation is primarily driven by signalling molecules called cytokines, particularly pro-inflammatory ones like Interleukin-1 (IL-1), Interleukin-6 (IL-6), and Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF- α).
- HBOT has been shown to downregulate the production and release of these harmful pro-inflammatory cytokines. Conversely, it can promote the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines, such as Interleukin-10 (IL-10). This shifts the body’s immune response from a pro-inflammatory state to an anti-inflammatory one.
Suppression of Hypoxia-Inducible Factor (HIF-1 α ):
- Hypoxia (low oxygen) is a potent trigger for inflammation. When tissues are deprived of oxygen (e.g., due to injury, swelling, or poor circulation), a protein called Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-1 alpha (HIF-1 α) becomes activated.
- HIF-1 α then promotes the expression of genes that lead to increased inflammation and angiogenesis (new blood vessel formation, but often in a disorganized and leaky way).
- By delivering abundant oxygen, HBOT effectively shuts down or downregulates HIF-1 α activity. This, in turn, reduces the production of inflammatory molecules and helps to resolve the inflammatory response.
Reduction of Edema (Swelling):
- Inflammation is often accompanied by swelling (edema) due to fluid leakage from damaged blood vessels. This swelling can further compress blood vessels, reducing blood flow and creating a vicious cycle of oxygen deprivation and inflammation.
- HBOT causes vasoconstriction (narrowing of blood vessels). While this might seem counterintuitive, the increased dissolved oxygen in the plasma more than compensates for the reduced blood flow volume. This vasoconstriction helps to reduce fluid leakage into the interstitial spaces, thereby decreasing swelling.
- By reducing edema, HBOT improves blood flow to the affected area, allowing more oxygen and nutrients to reach the cells and facilitating the removal of waste products, further breaking the inflammatory cycle.
Modulation of the Immune Response:
- HBOT can influence the activity of various immune cells, including white blood cells. While it boosts the ability of white blood cells to fight infection (e.g., by increasing their ability to kill bacteria), it also helps to modulate their inflammatory signaling.
- It can help to restore balance to an overactive or dysregulated immune response that is contributing to chronic inflammation.
- By delivering abundant oxygen, HBOT effectively shuts down or downregulates HIF-1 α activity. This, in turn, reduces the production of inflammatory molecules and helps to resolve the inflammatory resp
Reduction of Oxidative Stress:
- Inflammation and injury often lead to an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS), also known as free radicals. While some ROS are necessary for cellular signaling, an excess leads to oxidative stress, which damages cells and perpetuates inflammation.
- Paradoxically, while HBOT temporarily increases ROS, it also stimulates the body’s natural antioxidant defense systems (e.g., enzymes like superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase). These antioxidants then neutralize the harmful free radicals, reducing oxidative stress and its contribution to inflammation.

In essence, mHBOT supercharges your body’s natural healing processes by delivering oxygen to every cell, even those that are typically difficult to reach, optimising their function and promoting recovery.

Ready to try it? Our private Contrast Therapy Room at Elements Float Wellness Centre is the perfect place to experience the benefits firsthand. Book your session today and take the plunge into wellness!