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Mental health
What is mental health?
Mental health is a state of mental well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realize their abilities, learn well and work well, and contribute to their community. It is an integral component of health and well-being that underpins our individual and collective abilities to make decisions, build relationships and shape the world we live in. Mental health is a basic human right and is crucial to personal, community and socio-economic development.​
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Mental health conditions include mental disorders and psychosocial disabilities as well as other mental states associated with significant distress, impairment in functioning, or risk of self-harm. People with mental health conditions are more likely to experience lower levels of mental well-being, but this is not always or necessarily the case.
Mental health and HBOT
It might seem a bit odd to think that breathing in near-pure oxygen at increased atmospheric pressure can help ease the symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression, but there are studies to support this claim, with some finding proof it is just as effective at treating mental health as psychotherapy is.
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HBOT’s primary effect is its ability to increase blood flow, and with neuronal function reliant on oxygen levels in the brain, hyperbaric oxygen therapy is considered an extremely effective way to treat mental illnesses. The enhanced oxygen in the blood helps protect and restore neurons that are threatened by cortisol levels and helps to balance brainwave activity, evening out the brain’s chemicals.
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Stress can also lead to inflammation in the body, which can be reduced by heightened levels of oxygen in the blood, lowering oxidative stress – a contributing factor to several stress-related illnesses leading to free radicals in the body causing damage to cells and tissues.
Cerebral metabolic rates, mitochondrial function, and brain cell growth are other closely observed side effects, with studies also showing HBOT can encourage neuroplasticity in the brain. Increased neuroplasticity is something believed to be triggered through antidepressants, boosting brain power and improving focus, and of course, drastically reducing the symptoms of stress, anxiety and depression.
Easing other side effects Hyperbaric oxygen therapy
For someone undergoing HBOT sessions for their mental health, they will most likely experience other advantages that’ll generally boost their welfare. HBOT has been known to help people who struggle with sleep, improving both sleep time and quality by reducing the inflammatory biochemicals in your brain and increasing antioxidant enzymes – both of which can curb our stress – clearing your mind to allow for a deeper doze. Frequent headaches are a classic sign of stress and anxiety, especially more severe ones like cluster headaches and migraines. These types of headaches are thought to be caused by the blood vessels in the brain narrowing, restricting the supply of oxygen. Not only will therapy increase oxygen supply but it will stimulate cerebral tissue which reduces inflammation.
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