Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder & Hyperbarics (PTSD)

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition triggered by experiencing or witnessing a terrifying event. It is characterized by the brain remaining in a constant state of "fight-or-flight," even when no danger is present. 

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Core Symptom Clusters

Symptoms are generally grouped into four categories: 

• Intrusive Memories: Flashbacks, nightmares, or intense physical reactions to triggers.

• Avoidance: Staying away from places, people, or activities that remind you of the trauma.

• Negative Changes in Thinking: Feeling numb, detached, or having difficulty maintaining relationships.

• Arousal and Reactivity: Being easily startled, feeling "on edge," or experiencing angry outbursts. ​

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is an emerging, biologically based treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), particularly for cases resistant to traditional therapies. It involves breathing concentrated oxygen in a pressurized chamber to trigger repair mechanisms in the brain. 

Potential Benefits & Mechanisms
Recent clinical trials, including those conducted at the Sagol Center for Hyperbaric Medicine, suggest that HBOT can treat PTSD as a "biological wound" rather than just a psychiatric condition. 

Neuroplasticity: Promotes the growth of new neurons and blood vessels (angiogenesis).
Brain Function: Improves connectivity in networks responsible for emotional regulation, such as the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus.
Physical Repair: Reduces neuroinflammation and improves mitochondrial function.
Symptom Reduction: Studies reported significant decreases in intrusive memories, avoidance, and depression. In some trials, up to 39% of participants achieved complete remission. 
 

Important Considerations
"Off-Label" Status: While promising, the FDA has not yet cleared HBOT specifically for PTSD, and its efficacy is still a subject of debate in the wider medical community.
Emotional Turbulence: As brain networks heal, some patients experience "memory surfacing"—the sudden return of previously inaccessible traumatic memories—which can cause temporary distress or symptom worsening during the first few weeks of treatment.
Accessibility: The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers HBOT to a limited subset of veterans in certain states who have failed other evidence-based treatments.