Meta Information

ID:hyperbaric-oxygen-therapy

Name:Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

Schema Version:1.5

Alternate Names

• HBOT

Active Compound

null

Intervention Type

procedure

Delivery

Route:

inhalation

Scope:

• systemic

Regulatory Status

• us:medical_procedure

Indication

Focus:

• healthspan
• disease_treatment

Description:

Used for FDA-approved conditions like non-healing wounds, and experimentally for healthspan to enhance tissue oxygenation and reverse cellular aging markers.

Typical Protocol

• A common healthspan protocol involves 60 daily sessions of 90 minutes at 2.0 atmospheres absolute (ATA) with intermittent air breaks.

Expected Cost Mean

Low Cost:

15000

High Cost:

30000

Cost Type:

procedure

Description:

Cost for a full 60-session protocol; not covered by insurance for healthspan.

Summary

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy involves breathing 100% oxygen in a pressurized chamber, which dramatically increases the oxygen dissolved in blood plasma. This state of hyperoxia is proposed to trigger regenerative pathways, including mobilizing stem cells, promoting new blood vessel growth (angiogenesis), reducing inflammation, and clearing senescent cells. Recent human trials suggest it may also lengthen telomeres, a key biomarker of cellular aging.

Purpose

Increases blood oxygen saturation to promote cellular repair and regeneration.

Card Summary

A procedure of breathing pure oxygen in a pressurized chamber to enhance tissue repair, reduce inflammation, and potentially reverse cellular aging markers.

Drug Class

Drugs In Class

Empty Array

Impact

Score:

5.8

Justification:

Emerging human data shows reversal of key aging biomarkers; not yet foundational.

Evidence

Grade:

B

Score:

6.5

Justification:

Small human RCTs show benefits for cellular aging markers; needs larger-scale validation.

Safety

Score:

5.2

Justification:

Requires medical supervision; risks include ear barotrauma, vision changes, and oxygen toxicity.

Flags

• Risk of barotrauma to ears, sinuses, and lungs is the most common side effect.
• Can cause temporary nearsightedness (myopia) that typically resolves after treatment ends.
• Contraindicated for individuals with an untreated pneumothorax (collapsed lung).
• Rare risk of central nervous system oxygen toxicity (seizures) at higher pressures.
• May accelerate the maturation of pre-existing cataracts.

Verdict

Promising for cellular rejuvenation, but costly with a significant time commitment.

Created

2026-05-06T16:40:10.603249Z

Ai Model

Gemini 2.5 Pro (High)