Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy has continued to prove its effectiveness in reducing anxiety and depression in individuals, presumably through its ability to heal the brain and decrease sympathetic overactivity, which creates fight or flight activity (stress) within our brain.
Functional MRI studies have shown increased in blood flow to the limbic regions of the brain in patients who have undergone hyperbaric oxygen therapy prior to testing. Inferring that increased healing and blood flow to these areas is prominent in its effectiveness in reducing these symptoms.
It is also commonly reported to improve sleep, which is obvious in its impact on our mental health. Improving sleep is a major contributor to our over health health and wellness, especially in the brain.
Initial research was performed by the military, showing tremendous improvements in PTSD in the majority of individuals who underwent hyperbaric therapy months to years after their time in the military. Hyperbaric has shown to improve concussion symptoms many years after injury, substantiating its effect for both PTSD and concussion no matter the time span.
