Does Mild Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) Reduce Inflammation?
- peyton baumgartel
- Feb 5
- 3 min read
When it comes to hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), one of the most debated topics in the field is whether mild pressure chambers operating around 1.3 atmospheres (ATA) are truly effective.
Some claim that only higher pressures create meaningful physiological changes, while others argue that mild HBOT offers the same benefits at a gentler intensity.
So, which is correct?
Recent research conducted as part of a PhD program at the University of Miami set out to answer this question by examining how different HBOT pressures affect inflammation, one of the most important biological processes tied to health, aging, and disease.
The Study Design
The study compared three groups:
A mild-pressure group (1.3 ATA)
A high-pressure group (2.0 ATA)
A control group
Participants were healthy adults aged 40–70, and the study used a double-blind, randomized control design, the gold standard in clinical research.
Each treatment group completed 50 hours of HBOT spread over 10 weeks:
100-minute sessions, three times per week, for five weeks
A one-month break
Another five weeks of the same schedule
Researchers collected blood samples at four different points to measure changes in cytokines, the signaling proteins that control inflammation and immune response.
What the Results Showed
The research team measured 81 different cytokines, providing one of the most detailed looks yet at how HBOT influences inflammation.
The findings were surprising:
In the mild-pressure group, 21 cytokines showed statistically significant changes.
Key markers such as Interleukin-6 (IL-6), Interleukin-8 (IL-8), TNF-α, and TNF-β decreased significantly, indicating reduced systemic inflammation.
In the high-pressure group, 20 cytokines were significantly affected, including Interleukin-7 (IL-7), Interleukin-9 (IL-9), myeloperoxidase, and interferon markers associated with immune activation and cellular protection.
What stood out most was that each pressure influenced different inflammatory pathways. Mild HBOT and high-pressure HBOT didn’t produce identical effects; they produced complementary ones.
What It Means
This research provides strong evidence that all levels of hyperbaric oxygen therapy exert measurable biological effects.
Mild-pressure HBOT (1.3 ATA) appears to better regulate cytokines tied to chronic inflammation and immune overactivation, which may make it beneficial for recovery, wellness, and maintenance.
Higher-pressure HBOT (2.0 ATA) tends to activate markers involved in cellular repair and immune defense, which could be especially helpful for acute injuries or more severe conditions.
Rather than asking whether one pressure “works” and the other doesn’t, the study suggests that each serves a distinct role within a continuum of therapeutic effects.
A Personalized Approach to Hyperbaric Therapy
At Capital Health, this evolving research reinforces what we see in clinical practice: there’s no one-size-fits-all protocol.
Depending on your individual goals, whether it’s managing inflammation, recovering from injury, supporting immune balance, or promoting longevity, different pressures and treatment frequencies may be more effective.
By understanding which cytokines and pathways respond to which pressures, clinicians can design personalized HBOT protocols tailored to each patient’s unique biology.
The Bottom Line
Both mild and high-pressure hyperbaric oxygen therapy have a meaningful impact on inflammation and immune health.
As research continues, we’re learning that it’s not about which pressure is “better,” but rather how each can be used strategically to support healing, balance, and long-term vitality.
At Capital Health & Iowa HBOT, we value personalized care, education, and integrative therapies, such as HBOT. We guide each person toward a sustainable, whole-body approach to wellness. If you’re curious if HBOT might be right for you, our team can help you explore your options and create a treatment plan tailored to your health journey.
Schedule a complimentary consultation today by calling us at 515-421-4018.
Check out our blog page here to see the many conditions HBOT can help with.
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