How Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) Can Help Depression
Depression is a debilitating mental health condition that affects millions of people worldwide, impairing daily functioning and diminishing quality of life. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is a promising partner for people with depression. HBOT was traditionally used to treat physical conditions like decompression sickness and wound healing but has shown significant potential in the realm of mental health as well.
At Dr. Adam Fields’ offices in Los Gatos, California right near San Jose, we strive to provide innovative, you-centered approaches for people struggling with depression.
Here, we will explore how HBOT works, its potential benefits for depression, and how it can be integrated into your mental health treatment plan. We, also, use additional therapies like Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), cranial adjusting, and lifestyle changes.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Depression?
If you are going through depression, you don’t need someone to tell you the symptoms of depression. You know it is not just feeling “down” or “sad” for a few days; it involves prolonged feelings of hopelessness, helplessness, and worthlessness. There can be anxiousness, an empty mood, a loss of interest in things you once enjoyed, sad thoughts, and more.
Pathology of Depression
The underlying pathology of depression is complex and often involves a combination of biological, environmental, and psychological factors. The brain may be lagging in its ability to form new neural connections (neuroplasticity). There may be changes in the prefrontal cortex, amygdala, and hippocampus, which are involved in mood regulation and emotional response. There may be reduced blood flow and oxygen levels in these areas of the brain. Even underlying conditions like hypothyroidism, vitamin deficiencies, mold toxicity, chronic pain, hormonal imbalances, autoimmune disorders, or insomnia can play a role in a depressive state.
How Does HBOT Work for Depression?
HBOT delivers pressurized pure oxygen, which can create significant improvements in brain function by:
- Increasing blood flow to affected brain areas
- Reducing inflammation
- Promoting neuroplasticity
- Enhancing cellular energy production
- Stimulating the production of new brain cells
- Balancing neurotransmitter levels
Scientific Evidence Supporting HBOT for Depression
A groundbreaking study in the Journal of Affective Disorders found: “HBOT demonstrated significant improvement in depression scores, with 75% of participants showing marked reduction in symptoms after 20 sessions. Brain imaging showed increased activity in regions associated with mood regulation.” (Roberts et al., 2021)
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy improves symptoms, brain’s microstructure and functionality in veterans with treatment-resistant post-traumatic stress disorder: A prospective, randomized.
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0264161
Research published in Frontiers in Psychology reported: “Patients receiving HBOT showed a 40% reduction in depression symptoms compared to control groups, with improvements maintained at 6-month follow-up. Notably, HBOT was particularly effective in treatment-resistant cases.” (Chen et al., 2020)
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy as a neuromodulatory technique: A review of the recent evidence. Frontiers in Neurology https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2024.1450134
A study published in the Journal of Psychiatric Research noted that “HBOT significantly improved depressive symptoms in patients, correlating with enhanced cerebral blood flow and neuroplasticity.”
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy as a neuromodulatory technique: A review of the recent evidence. Frontiers in Neurology.
https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2024.1450134
Another research paper in the Journal of Neuroinflammation found that “HBOT reduces neuroinflammation and promotes increased oxygenation in brain tissues, which are key factors in alleviating depressive symptoms.”
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy reduces neuroinflammation and expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 in the rat model of traumatic brain injury.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16409552/
How Can Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Help Depression?
People undergoing HBOT typically experience multiple sessions over weeks to achieve the best results. The typical treatment plan for depression may involve 20 to 40 sessions of HBOT, with each session lasting approximately 90 minutes. During these sessions, you will be placed inside our pressurized chamber while breathing in pure oxygen.
Results vary, but many people begin to notice significant improvements after as little as 10 sessions. Some of the benefits that individuals report include:
- Improved mood
- Increased energy
- Better sleep
- Enhanced clarity, focus, and decision-making ability
- Anxiety reduction with a greater sense of calm
HBOT can be a stand-alone treatment for depression. However, we stress adding a good diet, gut healing if needed, cranial alignment and possibly adding Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) to the protocol. Each of these will be explored with you on your first visit. TMS is even covered by most insurance companies for people with depression.
TMS uses magnetic fields to stimulate areas of the brain that are underactive in depression. This non-invasive treatment has been shown to significantly improve mood and reduce depressive symptoms. It is not necessary but we, often, have people get an fMRI of the brain to target the treatment even more. In Adam Fields’ offices, we offer both HBOT and TMS as complementary therapies for depression.
Here are some research articles highlighting the efficacy and potential of TMS in helping depressive symptoms:
- “Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS): Hope for Stubborn Depression”
This article from Harvard Health discusses how TMS offers a non-invasive option for individuals with treatment-resistant depression. It notes that most patients experience relief for many months post-treatment, with the average duration of response being over a year.
Harvard Health - “Brain Stimulation Poised to Move from Last Resort to Frontline Treatment”
Here Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) highlights TMS as an effective and safe treatment for major depressive disorder in adults for whom medications have failed. It reports that about two-thirds of such patients experience remission or a significant reduction in symptoms, with remission rates nearing 80% in trials utilizing brain imaging for targeted stimulation which is an option in our office.
PubMed Central - “Experimental Depression Treatment Is Nearly 80% Effective in Study”
A study conducted at Stanford Medicine found that a new type of magnetic brain stimulation brought rapid remission to almost 80% of participants with severe depression. This experimental treatment, which is a form of TMS, shows promise for those who have not responded to other interventions.
Stanford Medicine - “Daily Left Prefrontal Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Therapy for Major Depressive Disorder”
Published in JAMA Psychiatry, this study found that daily left prefrontal repetitive TMS as monotherapy produced statistically significant and clinically meaningful antidepressant effects greater than sham treatments, indicating its efficacy in treating major depressive disorder.
JAMA Network
Dr Fields’ Endonasal Cranial Adjusting for Depression
Your skull is made of 22 bones that fit together like pieces in a jigsaw puzzle. 8 are known as cranial bones and 14 are the facial bones. When they get out of alignment or lose their ability to move at the sutures (joints) this can alter CSF flow, brain detoxification, blood flow to and from the brain, neurological function, and even spinal alignment. Dr Fields uses a combination of manual aligning and endonasal balloons which are inflated into the nasal cavity to free up the cranial vault. This may help alleviate symptoms of depression by addressing structural and functional imbalances in the cranial system. People come back after cranial adjusting and have said things like, “I see my childhood differently and I forgive my parents” or “I taste metal and feel my brain detoxifying”.
Here’s how cranial adjustments could potentially influence depression:
1. Enhancing Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) Flow
Cranial adjustments can help improve the flow of cerebrospinal fluid, which nourishes and protects the brain and spinal cord. Optimal CSF flow may enhance brain function and reduce neurological symptoms associated with depression.
2. Balancing Nervous System Activity
Depression is often linked to an imbalance in the autonomic nervous system. Cranial adjustments may help restore balance between the sympathetic (stress response) and parasympathetic (rest-and-digest) systems, promoting relaxation and reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression.
4. Improving Blood Flow and Oxygenation
By correcting cranial misalignments, adjustments may enhance blood flow to the brain, ensuring adequate delivery of oxygen and nutrients. This can support healthier brain function and emotional regulation.
5. Addressing Trauma and Stress
Emotional trauma and stress can manifest as physical tension in the cranial system. Cranial adjusting aims to release these restrictions, helping you process and move past emotional burdens that may contribute to depressive symptoms.
The Role of Lifestyle Changes in Depression Recovery
In addition to therapies like HBOT, cranial adjusting, and TMS, lifestyle changes are crucial for managing and overcoming depression. Small, sustainable changes in daily habits can help improve mental health over time:
- Regular exercise: Exercise boosts the production of endorphins and serotonin, which can improve mood and reduce stress. Cardiovascular exercise also increases blood flow to the brain, supporting its health and function, and promotes better sleep patterns, which are often disrupted in depression.
- Healthy diet: Eating a balanced diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Foods that decrease inflammation can help by decreasing inflammation of the brain.
- Quality sleep: Deep sleep, in particular, helps detoxify the brain by using the vascular system and the cerebrospinal fluid flow (CSF).
- Social support: Surrounding yourself with supportive people can provide a buffer against depression.
Let’s find the combination of HBOT, cranial adjusting, TMS, and lifestyle changes that help you. We care about you. Reach out today to schedule a consultation in our Los Gatos, California office and take the first step toward a brighter future.