No. Keep in mind that the ’40 hour protocol’ is the gold standard for many of the physiological benefits that have been observed with HBOT. However, the actual physiological benefits (for HBOT) can be seen in just a few sessions!
Most physiological benefits will begin within the first few sessions of HBOT. It has been well documented that the anti-oxidant and protective role of HBOT is immediate and demonstrated within 24 hours of just one hyperbaric session. Further to this, the anti-inflammatory response is quite also very quick and a strong physiological response has been shown within 4 days of hyperbaric therapy. Many studies have reported HBOT to produce a strong pain relieving effect after just 5 to 10 sessions. HBOT’s effects on promoting new blood vessel formation (angiogenesis) can take place in just 10 to 20
sessions. From our data, here is a general summary:
1-5 sessions: Improve cellular energy and during this time tissue functioning may be optimized. Those with residual carbon monoxide (ie smokers) or with mild anemia can show immediate benefits with cellular energy. Inflammatory markers can go down considerably and mark the beginning of a natural repair process.
5-10 sessions: Typically used for acute injuries with soft tissue damage, particularly if there is pain involved.
10-20 sessions: More serious acute injuries or chronic injuries
20-40 sessions: Commonly used for major tissue damages and when new tissue is required (through HBOT’s regenerative stem cell properties)

No. Most research studies typically use 60 – 90 minute sessions and the majority have reported positive benefits. However, shorter duration sessions (i.e. 20 to 30 min) are getting great feedback from clients undergoing HBOT. Moreover, the lower pressures seem to fare better with this shorter duration protocol. Ultimately it depends on the age of the patient and severity of the condition.

It is not generally advised to undergo hyperbaric therapy if you are pregnant. Some people feel that there is benefit, quoting research done in Russia. However, until further safety studies are performed, it is not advisable to be inside a hyperbaric chamber during pregnancy.

No. actually it is the pressure that plays the most critical role in the effective dosage of HBOT. This is because the extra oxygen is dissolved in the blood plasma, which, alongside the added pressure, can travel to deeper areas in the body where blood flow and oxygen levels have been limited. An oxygen bar only delivers higher oxygen concentrations and does not pressurize the oxygen. Therefore, it cannot deliver the same effects as you can experience through hyperbaric oxygen therapy — only HBOT will be able to force significantly more oxygen into the blood plasma!

Just like any medication or procedure, yes and this is known as “oxygen toxicity”, (which can effect the central nervous system and/or the lungs). The main 2 variables leading to oxygen toxicity are ‘pressure’ and ‘time’. If the pressure is kept below 2.0 ATA and the time is kept to 60 min, then the risk of oxygen toxicity is extremely low. A skilled hyperbaric therapist should be able to limit this risk if dosages are used above 2.0 ATA and for longer than 60 minutes.

Every person is different and some will see immediate benefits and others may not notice them at all until completion of their series of hyperbaric sessions. In terms of the ’40 hour protocol’, it is not uncommon for the majority of the benefits to be reported up to 4 weeks following its completion!