A decade ago, “more oxygen” sounded like a deep-sea diver’s fix, not a mental-health strategy. Today, mounting clinical evidence says otherwise, and Mind Spa Denver is using it. Our integrated program surrounds Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) with transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), ketamine infusions and targeted psychotherapy to help Veterans, first responders and civilians push past the stall-points of PTSD, depression and traumatic brain injury (TBI).
Brain scans of PTSD, depression and chronic TBI all show the same culprits: smoldering neuro-inflammation and a chronic “brown-out” in cellular energy production. HBOT attacks both. Inside a gently pressurised chamber (about what you’d feel 15 feet underwater) you breathe nearly 100 percent oxygen. Henry’s Law forces that oxygen to dissolve directly into blood plasma, delivering up to ten-times the usual supply to starved neurons. Energy molecule (ATP) output rebounds, while pro-inflammatory cytokines retreat—effects documented after just 40 consecutive dives in both animal and human studies. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.govpmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
TMS nudges under-active cortical regions back to a healthy rhythm, but the therapy works best when those neurons are well-fuelled. HBOT raises tissue oxygen tension and ATP in the same frontal-temporal circuits TMS targets; a 2023 randomised trial in vascular cognitive impairment found that patients who received HBOT immediately before rTMS improved more on memory and executive-function tests than those on rTMS alone. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Ketamine produces a rapid spike in brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)—the protein that tells neurons to sprout new connections—but that surge fades within hours. Repeated HBOT sessions also elevate BDNF, and unlike ketamine, the increase accumulates over multiple dives. Laboratory data show BDNF release climbing after the third and fifth exposures to 2.0 ATA oxygen. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov When Mind Spa schedules a ketamine infusion shortly after an HBOT dive, we harness overlapping BDNF waves, giving new synapses more time and energy to stabilise.
Neuro-imaging studies reveal that cerebral blood flow and functional connectivity peak for roughly two hours after decompression. frontiersin.org During this window, clients often find it easier to stay present while processing traumatic memories; therapists report deeper breakthroughs occurring earlier in the treatment cycle. That’s why our care team reserves therapy rooms for the hour right after you step out of the chamber.
Mind Spa patients echo those numbers. Marcus, a former Army Ranger featured in our recent KDVR Fox 31 segment, reported sleeping through fireworks for the first time in 15 years after pairing 40 dives with TMS and weekly CBT.
HBOT for mental-health conditions is still “off-label,” so most insurers (including the VA) won’t pay—yet. We keep treatment reachable with interest-free plans, HSA/FSA support and veteran-focused grants through the Invictus Project.
Ready to see whether oxygen-boosted neuroplasticity can accelerate your recovery? Call 303-327-0350 or visit MindSpaDenver.com/HBOT for a complimentary consult.
