Call Us: 423 661-4734 | Email: requests@comeandreason.com      
Traumatic Brain Injury and Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment

Traumatic Brain Injury and Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment

In 2015, the Will Smith film Concussion, which depicts Dr. Bennet Omalu’s struggle to uncover the truth about brain damage to football players, brought international attention to Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and its long-term complications.

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), there were 2.87 million TBI-related emergency room visits in 2014 — and an estimated 817,000 children were treated for TBI-related head injuries.

While the brain sits inside the hard, bony case of the skull, it is soft, almost like a banana. This makes it vulnerable to rapid acceleration and deceleration injuries known as concussions, which occurs when the brain impacts the skull with sufficient force that it causes bruising. At each point of injury, local swelling, bleeding, and even neuronal death can occur.

Over the following hours and days, inflammation develops around the bruised area, just like injuries do elsewhere in the body. Since the skull is inflexible, the swelling pushes inward on the brain, reducing blood flow and extending the damage further across the brain adjacent to the injury and causing impairments over a much larger area; moreover, neurons in this expanded area may be damaged and unable to carry out their function. They may not die, but they will persist in an inactive or stunned state, basically not functioning for an indefinite period of time.

The immediate injury may cause loss of consciousness, or people may just feel stunned and lose track of what is happening around them. They also may have an initial headache and some confusion, which typically improves over the next several hours.

Long-term Consequences of TBI

Let’s now look at how TBI symptoms often develop after a concussion. As inflammation develops, more serious symptoms can increase, peaking over the next one to two weeks. These include headache; a confusion often described as “brain fog”; nausea; irritability, emotional lability; being overwhelmed easily; sensitivity to light and sound; impaired concentration, memory, and problems solving; difficulty multitasking; struggle with visual stimulation, such as processing information from computer or TV screens; and severe fatigue. These symptoms typically plateau and slowly improve over several months.

When brain scans reveal no gross destruction of brain matter, this type of injury is typically referred to as “mild” TBI. However, functional scans (PET, SPECT) will demonstrate impairment in blood flow and metabolism in the affected areas. These impairments in blood flow and neuronal activity may persist for years, resulting in chronic impairments of brain function with the associated symptoms described above.

These persistent symptoms can lead to further life problems, such as loss of job, relationship problems, loss of self-esteem or confidence, financial problems, mood dysregulation, and other mental health problems.

Common causes of TBI include anything that causes concussions, such as: falls — 48% of all head injuries are due to falls; being struck by or against an object — 17%, the second-most common cause; followed by motor-vehicle accidents. Other causes include bike accidents, sports injuries, and combat injuries, such being near concussive bomb blasts.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment

Recently, hyperbaric oxygen treatment (HBOT) has been demonstrated to provide marked improvement in people suffering with TBI, even years after their injuries occurred. HBOT is the use of oxygen at higher-than-atmospheric concentrations and pressures for the treatment of disease. HBOT was first used in the 1930s to treat decompression sickness in divers (commonly known as “the bends”) and currently has 13 FDA-approved uses, including: gas gangrene, air embolism, osteomyelitis, radiation necrosis, diabetic ulcers, and the aforementioned decompression sickness.

Current scientific evidence suggests that HBOT can permanently and dramatically improve symptoms of chronic TBI years after the initial head injury. Understanding the physiologic effects of HBOT gives insight as to its therapeutic benefits.

Breathing room air (21% oxygen or O2) at atmospheric pressure at sea level (1 atmosphere or 1ATM), about 97 percent of the total oxygen in the blood is bound to hemoglobin and 3 percent dissolved into the blood serum. By the time the oxygen diffuses through the tissues, into the cells, and reaches the mitochondria (energy producing organelles inside the cells), only trace amounts are available. HBOT’s main function is to temporarily super-saturate body tissues with oxygen. HBOT delivering 100-percent oxygen at 1.3 ATM increases dissolved oxygen in the serum by seven-fold. HBOT delivering 100-percent oxygen at 3.00 ATM increases dissolved oxygen in the serum by more than a factor of 15. Body tissues outside the circulation will thereby experience a commensurate increase in oxygen concentration.

A warning: If a hyper-oxygenated state is maintained for long periods, it will cause significant oxidative damage to the body tissues, undermining any health benefits. Long periods of HBOT are harmful. But short, 1-hour pulses of HBOT triggers a variety of healing processes without overwhelming the body’s antioxidant systems. Current known health-inducing responses from HBOT include stimulating powerful anti-inflammatory effect, reduction of edema, increased blood perfusion, new blood vessel growth, improved immune response, enhancement of the body’s antioxidant system, improved stem-cell activity from bone marrow, improved growth of neuronal axons, and modulation of thousands of genes involved in bodily healing.

Just as with any medicinal dosing, while the right dose can heal, too much medicine can harm. With TBI, too big a dose of HBOT will worsen the condition. Dose is determined by the pressure in the chamber and the time spent in the chamber. The higher-pressure treatment of 2.0 ATM is best for infections but will worsen TBI. After several decades of research, it has been determined that TBI is best treated with lower pressures and session time limits.

The recommended HBOT protocol for TBI is currently one or more blocks of 40, 1-hour sessions delivered at 1.3 or 1.5 ATM. Case reports of individuals who have suffered with post-TBI symptoms for decades, and who prior to treatment had SPECT scans showing decreased perfusion in multiple brain regions, found not only marked improvement in function, but SPECT scans after HBOT were normal.

After treatment, patients report improvement in concentration, emotional stability, ability to multitask, and memory.

HBOT is not FDA-approved for TBI treatment. This is due to the fact that it is not possible to develop a sham treatment for it and, thus, no placebo-controlled trials have been done to demonstrate its effectiveness over a placebo. Because HBOT is not FDA approved, insurance companies will typically not pay for it.

However, if you or someone you love has suffered with TBI and struggled with functional impairments, I recommend you speak with your healthcare provider about a trial of HBOT.

 

References:

  1. Goderez, B., Treatment of Traumatic Brain Injury with Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, Psychiatric Times, Vol. 36, Iss. 5, May, 28, 2019. https://www.psychiatrictimes.com/tbi/treatment-traumatic-brain-injury-hyperbaric-oxygen-therapy
  2. Harch PG, Andrews SR, Fogarty EF, et.al. A phase I study of low-pressure hyperbaric oxygen therapy for blast-induced post-concussion syndrome and post-traumatic stress disorder. J Neurotrauma. 2012;29:168-185.
  3. Efrati S, Ben-Jacob E. How and why hyperbaric oxygen therapy can bring new hope for children suffering from cerebral palsy: an editorial perspective. Undersea Hyperbaric Med. 2014;41:71-74.
  4. Harch, P. Hyperbaric oxygen in chronic traumatic brain injury: oxygen, pressure, and gene therapy. Med Gas Res. 2015;5:9.
  5. Harch P, Mccullough V. The Oxygen Revolution. Hobart, NY: Hatherleigh Press; 2010.
  6. Mukherjee A, Raison M, Sahni T, et.al. Intensive rehabilitation combined with HBO2 therapy in children with cerebral palsy: a controlled longitudinal study. Undersea Hyperbaric Med. 2014;41:77-85.
  7. Harch PG, Fogarty EF. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for Alzheimer’s dementia with positron emission tomography imaging: a case report. Med Gas Res. 2018:8:181-184.
  8. Jain KK. Textbook of Hyperbaric Medicine. New York, NY: Springer International Publishing AG; 2017: 345-348.
Email me the blog whenever a new one is published.

Donate online, securely via PayPal using your credit or debit card (no PayPal account needed, unless you want to set up a monthly, recurring payment).


cancel recurring payment

 

Want to use zelle instead?
See how on our
Support and Donations page.

Upcoming Events

calendar

Testimonial Post Slider

Testimony 4

I’m a youth leader in South Africa. We as a youth group are currently using a lot of the material on the Come and Reason site. Since we’ve started using the material, our youth group has grown.

R. V. N., South Africa

 

Testimony 64

I’ve been reading the bible and walking with Jesus since I was around 16. I’m 42 now. I’ve mostly been alone in my walk although I went to several churches in different denominations. For the past 3 years God has been showing me His character of agape. It’s been a blessing and changed how I view God and my walk with Jesus. About a year ago I came across the power of love and the principles of design law. These teachings changed how I read scripture and have been such a beautiful blessing. I’m very excited and grateful for these truths. We share these truths of agape, design law and the reality of the principles of the two trees in the garden of Eden with people on Facebook and YouTube. People all over are learning to trust God and His agape design law which makes life possible. Thank you for everything you shared with me. May God continue to bless your ministry and lives.

Bradley M., Hinsdale, NY, USA

 

Testimony 12

I have been really blessed reading your response to the various questions on your site.

K.C., OH, USA

 

Testimony 61

I grew up in a prominent protestant church and had what I like to call religious anxiety. I’ve always had questions about God and Salvation that no one could seem to answer.  I didn’t know how to find resolution. During 2020, at the height of my anxiety, I fell to my knees and begged God to show me truth and light and to give me the hope that I’ve been longing for. Days later, I stumbled upon your online videos and it was like a veil was lifted and EVERYTHING made sense! For the first time in my almost 39 years of life, my religious/spiritual anxiety has lessened. I feel a sense of freedom and peace I’ve NEVER had before… and it’s all because my view of God has changed. Thank you!

Ashleighn C.

 

Testimony 7

Ok, so last night I listened to “The Law of Liberty” and “How to Achieve Victory: Freedom, Truth and Spirtual Warfare.” These are both MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITES so far! The logic is just soooooo beautiful. I had to re-listen to them a couple of times. I just want to EXPLODE! (<< we assume with joy and happiness)

N. B., Canada

 

Testimony 62

I would like to express my thanks to the C&R team for creating a platform from which people can learn to trust in God and grow. My life is a witness to the effectiveness of this ministry. Without believing the truth about God as you have shown, I don’t know what my life would be like. I had given up on God helping me with certain sins – it was all useless. Given that the scripture is clear and God is so good, how could I have betrayed him so many times? I was a yo-yo christian; spinning up and down. My faith and enthusiasm was driven by discoveries/threats that prophecy is about to be fulfilled. But when I watched your “Healing the Mind” seminar, it was like a light finally went on. I could see God had no plan to hurt me, the danger came from sin, and that He is working to protect me and strengthen me. Thank you for allowing God to use you. The message God gave C&R saved my life!

Antony N. – Hobart, Australia

 

Testimony 56

I cannot thank you enough for opening my understanding to the beautiful truth of God’s Law of Love and how it applies to everything. I have been a Christian for over forty years, but I feel like I am only now seeing with my eyes open. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!

Tammy Cinzio, Australia

 

Testimony 22

I have found your Bible study class lectures to be very inspiring and useful as I prepare to teach class every other week. I subscribe to the podcast and download your notes on the weeks I teach. The audio and notes are such a great help in preparing. My own understanding of God’s character has grown as I teach the class. Commendations on the thought-provoking and well-prepared material Come and Reason provides. Personally, I get excited by the tie you make between the spiritual and mental/physical domains.

A.A. Corrales, NM, USA

 

Testimony 8

Thank you for the ministry you are sharing with us, it is a real blessing to us and especially to my husband and myself! You are encouraging us to think for ourselves and not just to except everything, without thinking it through, with God’s word!

M.K., USA

 

Testimony 29

Thank you for all of your work to correct misconceptions about God’s character. So many people that my husband and I have talked to seem to be against the natural law construct and view it as “errant” and “dangerous.” Having learned more about it through your blogs and lessons, I don’t really understand why they view it that way, except that it means they have to relearn theology they have known for their entire lives. But I’m so excited to relearn this. For the past few years I have been questioning how I could trust a God who punishes arbitrarily and is full of wrath for those who don’t obey His commands. That view made me afraid to “mess up” or “not be good enough,” even within my relationship with God. I really appreciated the point you bring out about God not wanting us to serve Him because we are afraid, but because we love Him.

Melissa H., IN, USA

 

Testimony 31

It was very touching to hear the testimony of your class share how viewing God’s true character has changed their lives. My feelings are the same – there is so much freedom in knowing that God LOVES me – regardless of my… just, REGARDLESS! I’m still blown away by the true gospel, the fact that God is not ready to strike us when we fail. He is not arbitrary. He simply loves us and warns of the natural consequences because He can’t stand to see us suffer. I AM IN LOVE WITH THIS GOD!!!

Ceil V.,  UT, USA

 

Testimony 3

My husband is a pastor and I listen to your lesson almost every week. Thank you for helping me in my study life and to help me love the “real” God more.

C. F., NC, USA

 

Testimony 46

Over the past couple of years God has been expanding my view of Himself and His character. Along my approximately 40-year journey, I have often had questions, but was hesitant to voice these and step outside the traditionally accepted thinking, for fear of admitting that I may in fact be eternally lost. In the recesses of my thinking has been the thought – if one blindly accepts (which is widely regarded as “real faith”) and does not question, is this really ‘truth?’ I often find it challenging to grapple with very theological ‘speak,’ but Dr. Jennings has a real gift of explaining spiritual concepts with clear practical examples. The weekly discussions are growing my Christian experience and slowly changing my view of how to live as a child of God in today’s complex world. Finally the whole Old Testament sanctuary teaching moved in my mind from fantasy to reality!

Beverly S., South Africa

 

Testimony 35

I am so pleased with the response your message is receiving at my church from the middle-aged to the young adults. I have given out 100 copies of the first two seminars and there are more request every week. One of my [class members] came to me after viewing the series, grateful and impressed with how easy the message was retained. He had been a Seventh-day Adventist in fear all his life, and felt like the scales were removed from his eyes after viewing the seminars. I am so impressed by the change I see in members who have received this message, we are in one accord. However, I am sadden by the negative response of the older people. I am verbally attacked anytime I talk about imposed laws, but I believe my mission is to enlightened everyone I can. I watch your Bible Study Class on YouTube every Friday night and I feel like I am apart of the class. All of you are in one accord and I am so blessed to have found you. I pray that all of you continue to spread this message and I am committed to doing my part.

Clara S., Westfield, MA, USA

 

Testimony 34

I was introduced to Come and Reason Ministries by accident, via a passing comment made in a bible study class we were visiting. I checked this website out and my life was changed. The understanding of the truth of God’s character, and how we apply it, is so right. The tricky part is consistently applying which “lens” to look through. As I began to understand, I started sharing the basics of this understanding with a discussion group I was leading and, suddenly, a lot of things started to make sense that never used to. At the same time, I enjoyed an amazing opportunity. I was able to conduct a full bible study at WORK! What an amazing experience! It is such a joy to share the truth about God and to share how it all fits in the war between God and Satan. So many people benefit when we have a correct understanding about how God works and who He really is! Thank you for this transformational understanding. Keep up the good work! God Bless you!

Tony P., CA, USA