Why Mild Hyperbaric is a powerful way to support brain health.

Concussion — Don't Just Wait and See

Why Mild Hyperbaric Is a Powerful Way to Support Brain Health

When someone has a concussion, we often think the best thing they can do is go home, rest, stay off screens, and wait for the brain to get better.

For many people, symptoms do improve fairly quickly. But for others, they do not.

Weeks or even months later, they may still be struggling with headaches, brain fog, fatigue, dizziness, trouble concentrating, poor sleep, emotional changes, or simply not feeling like themselves.

This is called persistent post-concussion symptoms.

What is important to understand is that a concussion is not just about hitting your head. A concussion causes changes in how the brain functions and can start a cascade of inflammation, oxidative stress, and changes in how the brain produces and uses energy. That means there are things we can do to support the body and brain while they are recovering.

Of course, the first thing to do after a concussion is to be appropriately evaluated to make sure there is not a more serious brain injury. But after that initial evaluation and approximately 24–48 hours of relative rest, “wait and see” should not be our only strategy.

In fact, current concussion recommendations have moved away from putting someone in a dark room and having them completely rest until all their symptoms disappear. After the first day or two, gradual activity is generally encouraged. If symptoms continue, it becomes even more important to look at what may be keeping the brain from moving forward.

What Happens to the Brain After a Concussion?

Inflammation is part of the body’s normal healing response. If you sprain your ankle, your body sends inflammatory chemicals to the injured area. Something similar happens when the brain is injured.

The problem is that the brain is extremely energy hungry.

After a concussion, brain cells have to work hard to restore their normal balance at the same time that the brain’s normal energy production has been disrupted. Researchers sometimes call this the neurometabolic energy crisis of concussion.

At the same time, there can be increased inflammation and oxidative stress.

For most people, these changes gradually settle down. But sometimes symptoms persist. This raises an important question:

What can we do to give the brain the best environment possible to recover?

Consider Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

One therapy I find particularly interesting for persistent concussion symptoms is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT).

Hyperbaric therapy allows a person to breathe increased oxygen while under increased atmospheric pressure.

Why might this matter for the brain?

Oxygen is absolutely necessary for producing cellular energy. Under hyperbaric conditions, the amount of oxygen carried in the plasma portion of the blood can increase significantly, allowing more oxygen to be delivered throughout the body.

Researchers are studying whether HBOT may influence inflammation, circulation, cellular energy production, the formation of new blood vessels, and neuroplasticity.

What Does the Research Show?

There have now been several human studies looking at HBOT in people who continue to experience symptoms after mild traumatic brain injury.

A 2020 randomized controlled trial included 63 adults with persistent post-concussion symptoms. Participants receiving HBOT completed 40 sessions at 1.5 ATA, five days a week for eight weeks. Researchers reported improvements in post-concussion symptoms as well as measures of memory, cognitive function, sleep, anxiety, depression, and quality of life compared with the no-treatment period.

A 2022 randomized, sham-controlled study in children looked at 25 children ages 8–15 who had persistent symptoms six months to 10 years after their injury. The treatment group received 60 HBOT sessions. Researchers reported improvements in overall cognitive function, memory, executive function, emotional symptoms, and some behavioral measures.

A 2022 systematic review looked at 11 studies, including six randomized trials. Four studies using 40 sessions at 1.5 ATA reported significant improvements in symptoms and/or cognitive measures. The studies were small, however, and results at other pressure and oxygen doses were mixed.

The research makes HBOT something worth paying attention to, particularly for people who continue to struggle with symptoms after a concussion. What I find even more exciting is that the practitioners that work with concussion recovery are using mild hyperbaric and seeing success with it.

How Many Sessions?

Something else stands out when you look at the research:

Consistency matters.

The positive studies are not talking about doing one or two hyperbaric sessions. Many have used a series of approximately 40 treatments.

Practitioners incorporating HBOT into concussion recovery programs may use protocols such as:

More recent concussion: approximately 20 HBOT sessions over 4–6 weeks.

Persistent post-concussion symptoms: approximately 40 HBOT sessions over 12 weeks, often as one part of a broader concussion recovery plan.

When we are talking about supporting a brain that is trying to recover, we need to think in terms of consistent support over time—not expecting one session to undo an injury.

Don’t Just Wait

The biggest thing I want people to understand is this:

If you or your child has a concussion, don't panic—but don't assume there is nothing you can do except wait either.

Get appropriately evaluated first.

After that initial period of relative rest, recovery doesn't necessarily have to mean simply waiting and hoping symptoms disappear.

If symptoms persist, it may be worth working with a qualified concussion provider to determine what is contributing to those symptoms and what therapies may be appropriate.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is one of the therapies being researched for people with persistent symptoms following mild traumatic brain injury.

The brain has an incredible ability to adapt and change. There is not one treatment that works for everyone, and recovery does not always happen overnight.

But there is a big difference between giving the brain time to recover and simply doing nothing.

Persistent concussion symptoms don't necessarily mean your only option is to wait.

This information is for educational purposes and is not intended to diagnose or treat a concussion. O2 Renew Studio provides non-medical wellness services and does not replace evaluation or treatment by a qualified healthcare provider. All suspected concussions should be appropriately evaluated. Seek immediate medical attention for a worsening severe headache, repeated vomiting, seizure, increasing confusion, weakness or numbness, slurred speech, loss of consciousness, or difficulty waking.