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Even Mild Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Produces Real, Measurable Benefits – Here's the Evidence
- Christy Van Hoogevest
- Jul 11
- 2 min read
Updated: Jul 20
For years, hyperbaric therapy at low pressures was dismissed as insignificant — even labeled a “placebo” in some clinical research. But a detailed review by Dr. Paul Harch, published in the Journal of Neurotrauma, systematically dismantles that misconception. His analysis shows that even very slight increases in pressure — as low as 1.04 ATA — can trigger physiological effects that are anything but inert.
What the Study Found
Study Title: Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy: Oxygen and Gene Therapy View Full Study →
Author: Dr. Paul G. Harch, MD
Published In: Journal of Neurotrauma (2013)
Key Findings:
Dr. Harch reviewed dozens of clinical and preclinical studies and concluded that any pressure above ambient (1.0 ATA) delivers a measurable “dose” of oxygen — which alters gene expression, reduces inflammation, and supports healing.
Pressures as low as 1.04 ATA triggered biological changes, including enhanced oxygen transport and cellular responses, contradicting the long-standing assumption that low pressures were ineffective.
The paper calls out prior studies that labeled m-HBOT a placebo as flawed in design, with improper control groups and inadequate understanding of pressure physics.
“The data show that hyperbaric oxygen therapy is not about the pressure alone or the oxygen alone — it’s about the combination,” Harch writes. “And that combination begins to work at much lower levels than previously recognized.”
Why It Matters
For clients using or considering HBOT, this study confirms what many have experienced firsthand: even mild pressures deliver real results. Whether you're recovering from injury, supporting cognitive performance, or addressing inflammation, the biological effects begin well before 2.0 ATA.
This is especially important for those using soft chambers, which typically operate at 1.3 ATA. According to the evidence, that’s more than enough to deliver measurable physiological benefits — and it's consistent with the pressures used in many of the successful protocols referenced in Dr. Harch’s review.
Mild vs. High-Pressure HBOT: A Quick Comparison
Feature | Mild HBOT (1.3 ATA) | Traditional HBOT (2.0+ ATA) |
Oxygen Delivery | Increased O₂ via modest pressure | Higher O₂ concentration under greater pressure |
Primary Use | Wellness, recovery, inflammation, cognitive support | Acute medical conditions (e.g., wound healing, carbon monoxide poisoning) |
Equipment Type | Soft-sided chambers | Hard-shell chambers |
Accessibility | Home or wellness center | Hospitals and specialized clinics |
Risk Profile | Extremely low | Higher — requires medical oversight |
Session Comfort | Gentle pressure, low noise | Higher pressure, medical setting |
Bottom line: The therapeutic effects of HBOT are not exclusive to hospital-grade hard chambers. Mild HBOT offers a safe, comfortable, and biologically effective option — especially for long-term recovery, brain health, and performance optimization.
Interested in adding HBOT to your business or wellness protocol?
Let’s talk about how BH Labs can support you.
Contact us to learn more or request a demo.
