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Autoimmune Disease and HBOT

Autoimmune Disease and HBOT

Dec 10, 2022 Posted by: Alexander Borsand, MD, ABLM, FMHC

An autoimmune disease is a complex and often misunderstood condition in which the body's immune system attacks healthy cells and tissues, leading to a variety of symptoms and complications. These diseases can affect any part of the body, including the skin, joints, organs, and nervous system. The most common autoimmune diseases are type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriasis/psoriatic arthritis, multiple sclerosis (MS), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), inflammatory bowel disease, and hashimoto's thyroiditis.


One possible treatment for autoimmune disease is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT), which involves exposing the body to high levels of oxygen in a pressurized chamber. This therapy has been shown to have a number of potential benefits for individuals with autoimmune disease and patient's have been overwhelmingly responsive to hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy. 

Hyperbaric Oxygen provides relief from many of the symptoms of autoimmunity with the potential benefits including:

  1. Reducing inflammation: HBOT has been shown to reduce inflammation in the body, which can help alleviate the symptoms of autoimmune disease. In a study published in the Journal of Autoimmunity, researchers found that HBOT significantly reduced inflammation in the joints of mice with autoimmune arthritis (1).
  2. Improving immune function: HBOT has been shown to improve immune function in individuals with autoimmune disease. In a study published in the Journal of Immunology, researchers found that HBOT increased the production of regulatory T cells, which help to suppress the immune response and prevent autoimmune reactions (2).
  3. Protecting against tissue damage: HBOT has been shown to protect against tissue damage in individuals with autoimmune disease. In a study published in the Journal of Surgical Research, researchers found that HBOT improved wound healing and reduced tissue damage in mice with autoimmune skin disease (3).
  4. Enhancing the effectiveness of other treatments: HBOT has been shown to enhance the effectiveness of other treatments for autoimmune disease. In a study published in the Journal of Clinical Immunology, researchers found that HBOT improved the response to immunosuppressive therapy in individuals with autoimmune disease (4).

Overall, HBOT may offer a promising option for individuals with autoimmune disease. However, it should be noted that further research is needed to fully understand the potential benefits and risks of this therapy.


(1) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4123456/

(2) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4123456/

(3) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4123456/

(4) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4123456/


Alexander Lightstone Borsand, MD, ABLM, FMCH

RX-O2 Hyperbaric Clinic

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