Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an invisible wound many veterans carry after experiencing the intense realities of combat. Traditional treatments, while beneficial, often fall short for some veterans with combat-associated PTSD (CA-PTSD). However, a groundbreaking study has shed light on a promising new approach: hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT).
Recently published in The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, this study involved a group of veterans who underwent a rigorous, controlled trial to assess the potential of HBOT. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy, traditionally used for wound healing, involves breathing pure oxygen in a pressurized environment. This study’s unique protocol had participants breathe 100% oxygen at two atmospheres of pressure for 90 minutes a day, over 60 sessions.
The results? Remarkable. Veterans who underwent HBOT showed significant improvements in PTSD symptoms, with CAPS-5 scores (a PTSD severity measure) dropping by an average of 30% from baseline—a significant improvement compared to a “sham” control group. Veterans in the HBOT group also reported a reduction in depressive symptoms and experienced positive changes in brain connectivity patterns, especially in key networks involved in emotional regulation and stress response.
Notably, functional MRI scans showed increased connectivity within the brain’s default-mode, central-executive, and salience networks. These networks play a vital role in managing memory, self-awareness, and response to stress—key areas often affected in PTSD.
For veterans and the wider PTSD community, these findings are highly encouraging. HBOT not only reduced PTSD symptoms but also enhanced neuroplasticity, providing real evidence that healing can happen at both the psychological and neurological levels. At Oxygens, we are proud to stand at the forefront of this transformative treatment, bringing hope and renewed quality of life to those who have given so much.
If you’re interested in learning more about HBOT for PTSD, reach out to us at Oxygens—we’re here to support every step toward healing.