In this eye-opening episode, Joseph and Richard sit down with Dr. Jason Sonners—functional medicine expert and hyperbaric innovator—to explore the cutting edge of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), biological aging, and the future of integrative health. Fresh off completing his PhD in molecular biology, Jason shares the results of a groundbreaking study comparing soft and hard hyperbaric chambers, uncovering surprising findings that could reshape the industry.
From cytokine signaling to mitochondrial function, Jason breaks down his clinical experience, personal practices, and research-backed insights on optimizing recovery, cognition, and biological age. This conversation is essential listening for anyone interested in evidence-based biohacking, functional medicine, and using oxygen as medicine.
Key themes:
- Surprising benefits of soft-shell vs. hard-shell hyperbaric chambers
- How hyperbaric therapy impacts aging, inflammation, and cognitive function
- When more pressure is not better—and how hormesis plays a role
- The synergistic effects of HBOT with fasting, nitric oxide, methylene blue, and more
- What physicians are missing about post-surgical recovery and non-drug therapies
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Jason’s research shows both soft (1.3 ATA) and hard (2.0 ATA) chambers reduce systemic inflammation, but affect different cytokines—proving both have distinct therapeutic uses.
- Lower pressure chambers impacted cytokines like TNF-α and IL-6 more strongly—key for autoimmune and chronic inflammatory issues.
- High pressure chambers had stronger effects on markers like myeloperoxidase—making them more useful for cardiovascular inflammation and long COVID.
- Cognitive improvements were statistically significant for memory in both groups, with higher pressure showing stronger effects.
- Both pressure types reversed biological age, but in different ways: low pressure affected Gen 1 clocks early, while high pressure impacted Gen 2 clocks after a delay.
- Stacking HBOT with fasting, nitric oxide boosters, and methylene blue may enhance results—but combining with antioxidants like glutathione too early could blunt benefits.
- Biohackers often overdo hormetic stress; more isn’t always better. Stacking intelligently (and seasonally) is key.
- Jason encourages practitioners to move away from dogma and explore physiology-based decision making—matching tools to pathways, not diagnoses.
- Clinical logic matters: HBOT has decades of research on wound healing, so why isn’t it used for surgical recovery?
- Methylene blue is safe and effective for many, but not necessary for everyone. Use should be based on goals, tolerance, and context—not trendiness.
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