Justin’s HBOT Experience
A Testament to Transformation and Hope through Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
“I think the cognitive gains from HBOT are what stood out the most to me. After a couple of dozen dives, I think I began to improve in terms of word finding, self-expression, processing what other people are saying.”
Justin, a retired Sergeant Major from the US Army Special Forces, dedicated 23 years to his military career, including about a dozen deployments, nine of which were combat. His service record spans several critical operations, including tours in Kosovo, Afghanistan shortly after 9/11, the first year of the Iraq war, and subsequent Special Forces deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan, Lebanon, Jordan, and Syria. Over the years, Justin was exposed to hundreds of blasts from both enemy and friendly forces during training and combat.
Cognitive Deficits
Justin’s years of service and exposure to blasts led to noticeable cognitive deficits, particularly after his ninth or tenth deployment. These included challenges with word finding, task organization, time management, and processing what others were saying. After undergoing HBOT, he reported considerable improvements in these areas. The therapy enhanced his brain’s oxygenation, leading to better cognitive function, improved word retrieval, and more effective communication. This recovery is particularly important for someone who had been experiencing diminishing cognitive abilities, indicating the potential of HBOT to facilitate neural repair & improve cognitive resilience.
Hearing, Seeing, Speaking, and Listening:
The improvements Justin experienced in hearing, seeing, speaking, and listening suggest that HBOT contributed to the healing of sensory and communication faculties. These changes point to enhanced neural connectivity and health, possibly by mitigating some of the damage caused by blast exposures. Enhanced oxygenation to the brain and sensory organs could have played a role in repairing tissue and reducing inflammation, leading to improved sensory processing and communication abilities.
Sleep Deprivation
Justin and his wife highlighted sleep deprivation as a significant challenge. HBOT can improve sleep patterns by reducing stress levels, enhancing overall brain function, and possibly correcting disrupted sleep cycles. An improvement in sleep quality not only directly impacts physical health but also supports cognitive function and emotional well-being, contributing to Justin’s recovery journey.
Severe Vertigo
One of the most acute symptoms Justin faced was a severe vertigo episode in 2013, accompanied by vomiting and an inability to open his eyes for several days. HBOT has been known to help with vestibular disorders by improving inner ear and brain oxygenation, reducing inflammation, and possibly aiding in the repair of damaged vestibular systems. For Justin, the therapy helped alleviate these symptoms, making such episodes less severe or less frequent, significantly enhancing his quality of life.