Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is gaining popularity in its ability to help people suffering from PTSD, stress, depression, and other mental health issues. One reason for this is that HBOT is able to induce neuroplasticity, which is the formation of new pathways and connections within our brain that allow us to think, feel, and behave differently.
When we’re stressed, anxious, or depressed, we’re likely utilizing pathways in our brain that were created around those feelings. They may be connected to a certain topic or event in our past. If we want to change them, we must change the way we think and feel about something. That requires neuroplasticity to change the route information travels in our brain. Hyperbaric Oxygen helps us achieve these changes in our brain, often paired well with counseling or other types of therapy.
Studies show substantial improvements in PTSD in veterans years after initial treatment. Trauma changes the brain. Not only do we need to heal the trauma, but we also need to heal our brain. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy helps regain healthy function in our brain, improving the way we deal with stress, busy environments, emotional triggers, and every day life.
We always recommend co-treating with therapy/counseling, but if you are stuck in your treatments or would like some help in this process, we recommend that you consider HBOT as a modality that can greatly help on your healing journey.