When we talk about anxiety, depression or changes in mood, we naturally think about the brain.
And rightly so.
But I think we sometimes make the mistake of looking at the brain as though it operates independently from the rest of the body.
It doesn't.
Your brain is an organ. An incredibly sophisticated one, but nevertheless an organ made up of living cells that require oxygen, nutrients, energy, circulation and healthy mitochondrial function just like every other tissue in your body.
This is where mild hyperbaric oxygen therapy (mHBOT) and red light therapy, photobiomodulation become particularly interesting.
Neither should be presented as a cure for depression or anxiety. Neither replaces appropriate psychological care, medical assessment or prescribed medication.
I prefer to look at them differently.
They are modalities designed to support the biological environment in which the brain and body have to function.
And when we understand what they are doing at a cellular level, it becomes easier to understand why they may have a valuable place in a routine supporting mood, stress resilience, sleep, cognition and overall wellbeing.
It starts with energy
Every thought you have, every muscle you move, every hormone you produce and every repair process taking place inside your body requires energy.
Much of that energy is produced within the mitochondria.
Mitochondria generate ATP, the usable cellular energy that allows our cells to do their work.
And your brain is particularly demanding. Despite representing only, a small percentage of your body weight, it consumes an enormous amount of energy.
So when we're talking about supporting brain health, mitochondrial health must be part of the conversation.
And this is one of the fascinating areas where oxygen and red and near-infrared light begin to meet.
Two Different Modalities. A Similar Destination.
mHBOT and red-light therapy work differently.
With mild hyperbaric oxygen therapy, we increase atmospheric pressure while breathing oxygen. Under pressure, more oxygen can dissolve into the plasma and other body fluids, increasing oxygen availability to tissues.
Photobiomodulation takes another route.
Specific wavelengths of red and near-infrared light interact with cellular structures, particularly within the mitochondria, influencing cellular respiration, ATP production and signalling involved in circulation, oxidative stress and inflammation.
So, think about the difference this way:
mHBOT helps increase the availability and delivery of oxygen.
Red and near-infrared light help influence how our cells produce energy and communicate.
Different mechanisms.
But both ultimately intersect with one of the most fundamental requirements for good health:
Healthy cellular function.
Research continues to explore both modalities for their effects on mitochondrial function, inflammation, circulation and neurological health. (PubMed)
Why Could This Matter for Mood?
Mood, anxiety and depression are clearly not simply "energy problems."
They are complex conditions influenced by genetics, trauma, environment, relationships, hormones, inflammation, sleep, lifestyle, psychological health and many other factors.
But here's the point I find important:
Whatever challenge the body is facing, it still has to respond to that challenge using its own biological resources.
A poorly rested, chronically stressed, metabolically compromised body is starting from a very different position to a body that is sleeping well, producing energy efficiently, moving regularly and maintaining good neurological function.
That's why rather than asking only:
"Can this modality treat anxiety?"
I think another useful question is:
"Can we create a healthier biological environment in which this person and their nervous system are better equipped to function?"
That's a very different conversation.
The Brain Is Constantly Changing
For decades we thought the adult brain was relatively fixed.
We now know that's not true.
The brain possesses neuroplasticity, its ability to reorganise, create new connections and adapt throughout life.
There is also neurogenesis, the formation of new neurons in specific areas of the brain.
This is another area where hyperbaric oxygen and photobiomodulation become fascinating.
Research has investigated their influence on mitochondrial function, cerebral circulation, inflammation, neuroplasticity and neurogenesis, all processes relevant to maintaining a healthy and adaptable brain. (Frontiers)
And whether we're discussing memory, concentration, emotional regulation or recovery from prolonged stress, we're ultimately talking about the health and adaptability of our neural networks.
The healthier the biological environment, the better the foundation we're giving the brain to do what it does naturally: adapt.
Then There Is Sleep
I don't think we can have a serious conversation about mood without talking about sleep.
Anyone who has experienced several nights of poor sleep understands how quickly the world can look different.
Patience decreases. Stress tolerance changes. Concentration becomes harder. Motivation falls. Small problems suddenly feel much bigger.
Sleep is when the brain performs an extraordinary amount of maintenance, consolidating memories, regulating emotional processing and restoring metabolic balance.
Both mHBOT and photobiomodulation are being investigated for their influence on neurological function, cognition and recovery.
And better sleep itself creates a cascade of benefits.
Better sleep means better recovery.
Better recovery means greater resilience.
And greater resilience means we're generally better equipped to deal with the physical and emotional stresses life inevitably throws at us.
Stress Changes Biology
Stress isn't simply something that happens in your head.
Stress changes physiology.
It affects the nervous system, cortisol signalling, inflammation, sleep, blood glucose, immune function, digestion and ultimately the biological resources available for repair and recovery.
Occasional stress is normal.
The problem is chronic stress without adequate recovery.
If somebody is already exhausted, sleeping poorly and struggling to concentrate, it doesn't take much additional stress to overwhelm their available resources.
This is why I prefer to think about resilience rather than simply symptoms.
Can we build a body that has greater capacity?
Can we improve sleep?
Can we support mitochondrial function?
Can we exercise, eat better, get outside, improve our relationships and find greater purpose?
And can modalities such as mHBOT and red light therapy become another piece of that bigger recovery puzzle?
I believe that's the far more sensible way of looking at them.
Red Light + mHBOT: Why I Like the Combination
Instead of asking which modality is "better," look at what we're trying to achieve.
With mHBOT we're creating an environment of increased atmospheric pressure and oxygen availability.
With photobiomodulation we're using specific wavelengths of light to influence mitochondrial and cellular function.
Both intersect with mitochondrial biology.
Both are being investigated for their influence on inflammation and neurological function.
And both can sit alongside the foundations of good health — movement, nutrition, sunlight, sleep, recovery, relationships and stress management.
The machine should never become more important than the foundations.
Healthier Cells. Healthier Systems. Greater Capacity.
There's a concept that underpins much of the way I approach health.
Give the body what it requires to function well and remove as many unnecessary obstacles as possible.
When mitochondrial function is supported, cells have greater capacity to perform their work.
When cells function well, tissues have a better foundation.
When tissues function well, organs have a better foundation.
And when the brain, nervous system, cardiovascular system, endocrine system and immune system are supported together, the entire person has greater biological capacity.
That doesn't mean depression suddenly disappears.
It doesn't mean anxiety is simply an oxygen deficiency.
And it certainly doesn't mean somebody should stop their medication and climb into a hyperbaric chamber.
It means something much simpler:
A healthier body is generally better equipped to deal with whatever challenge it is facing — physical, physiological or emotional.
Health Enhancing, Not a Replacement for Treatment
This distinction is important.
Depression and anxiety can be serious conditions requiring appropriate professional care.
mHBOT and red light therapy should not replace prescribed medication, psychotherapy or other medical treatment, and medication should never be changed without consultation with the prescribing healthcare professional.
I see these modalities as complementary.
Alongside exercise, natural light, quality food, meaningful relationships, purpose, good sleep, stress management and appropriate healthcare, they offer another way of supporting the biological environment in which recovery has to take place.
Because mood doesn't exist separately from biology.
Neither does stress.
Neither does sleep.
Neither does memory.
Neither does concentration.
And neither does the brain.
They are all part of the same extraordinary biological system.
Support the system, and you give the person a better foundation from which to function, adapt and recover.
The Take Home Message
mHBOT and red light therapy aren't treatments for anxiety or depression, but they may support something fundamental: the biological environment in which your brain and nervous system function.
By supporting oxygen availability, mitochondrial function, cellular energy and recovery, these modalities can become one part of a much bigger picture that includes sleep, movement, nutrition, relationships, stress management and appropriate healthcare.
The goal isn't to treat mood with a machine. It's to give the body and brain a stronger foundation from which to function, adapt and recover.
Written by Jason, Medical Director, Breathe. Studios.