I first heard of Dr. Paul Harch, a foremost leader in the field of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy of HBOT after listening to his interview on the Elite Male Podcast.
He spoke with clarity, calmness and authority on the topic of HBOT. A field he has been leading and advocating for the past few decades.
As a fan and former user of HBOT, I knew I had to pick up his book.
The Oxygen Revolution: Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy: The New Treatment for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Traumatic Brain Injury, Stroke, Autism and More
What I learned really blew my mind open on the uses for Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy. The treatment itself is actually a drug-like in the manner in which it treats injuries. In spite of high pressure environment, It is also one of the safest therapies known, and has some of the lowest malpractice insurance premiums.
In the book the doctor details his years treating patients with a variety of disorders. Year after year, the doctor applies HBOT to new and seemingly unrelated diagnosis and ends up with incredible results. He has had patients come in with brain injuries, wounds, autism and carbon monoxide poisoning. HBOT in the right doses and at the right times can improve survival and exceed quality of life expectations.
The reason that HBOT is so effective on so many ailments, is it treats the body's injury response mechanism. The response known as the inflammatory reaction (or reperfusion) is the somewhat uniform way the body begins healing itself. In the process of healing the inflammatory response can seal in damage. Hyperbaric therapy has the ability to send compressed oxygen into these damaged areas and begin a truer healing process.
The most fascinating part of this book, is something that Dr. Paul Harch has tried to play down. Everybody can benefit from HBOT. No:
Everybody Needs HBOT!
Dr. Harch explains that we are living longer, but we are not living well for longer. A key distinction. We humans are exposed to various 'insults' throughout our life. In isolation, these insults are non-threatening. Over the years, these accumulated insults reduce life expectancy and the quality of our lives. Being put under for surgery, mild carbon monoxide poisoning, falling off your bike, getting drunk too many times, all begin to add up and cut into the brain's built-in redundancy (think a cat's nine lives).
Yes, the treatment is effective for severe conditions such as strokes and diabetic wounds. However, it is also effective for ailments with more 'invisible' symptoms.
Children suffering from fetal alcohol syndrome -- in one case 14 years after the exposure, the child gained intelligence.
Adults who experienced abuse as children led less erratic and more independent lives 40 years after exposure to the abuse.
Children with mild or severe autism gained the ability to connect emotionally with family members.
Given how incredibly common alcoholism, child abuse and autism are, I extrapolated that HBOT should be the Jiffy Lube of human maintenance.
We should have low pressure HBOT as routine maintenance during our doctor's visit as a way to increase redundancy and live vibrant full lives.
Many people are not even aware that they been injured. More reason that everyone can benefit from HBOT. Undetected injuries cause much harm to society. Unhealed brain injuries lead to drug addiction, temper problems and inability to concentrate.
One could argue that HBOT chambers installed in every prison in the United States would lead to huge drops in recidivism. I'm not kidding, read this book and call me. Let's make this happen.
Sadly, this is a very expensive therapy. Insurance balks at paying for HBOT for ailments not approved by the government. The FDA has only approved a handful of diagnosis's for treatment. Luckily, it is legal to give HBOT for almost any reason. Good luck finding a facility in the US that understands that.
My only disappointment was the author did not discuss the use of soft chamber versus hard chambers. Soft chambers cannot reach the 'depths' of pressure a hard chamber can but they are cheaper to own and to use. I was especially heartened because the doctor advocates low pressure HBOT for many old injuries. I took from this that mHBOT (mild hyperbaric oxygen therapy) that is afforded by soft chambers is actually more effective than established facilities would like to lead on.
I had major lifestyle improvements by using mHBOT.
The book was an easy-ish read and explains so much. You could hardly cover everything in the most thorough book review. One key take-away is we never know when we will really need HBOT in an emergency situation for yourself or a family member. The doctor recommends knowing which hospitals near you offer HBOT, as a preventive measure.
Loading your book clubs
There was a problem loading your book clubs. Please try again.
Not in a club? Learn more
Join or create book clubs
Choose books together
Track your books
Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free.
Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required. Learn more
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.
Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
Flip to back Flip to front
Follow the Author
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.
Discover the latest buzz-worthy books, from mysteries and romance to humor and nonfiction. Explore more
What do customers buy after viewing this item?
Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
About the author
Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Top reviews from the United States
There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on June 26, 2016
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on December 28, 2008
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on March 10, 2017
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on June 6, 2011
