10 Things to Know About Medical Grade HBOT (And Why It’s Different)

If you have been researching Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) for brain injury, neuropathy, or long COVID, you have likely noticed a confusing range of options. You might see "mild" chambers offered at wellness spas and "medical-grade" chambers offered at clinics like CNS Brain Center.

Are they the same? The short answer is no.

The difference comes down to physics. To heal deep neurological tissue, you need specific pressure levels that "soft" chambers simply cannot reach. Before you book a session, here are the 10 most important things you need to know about Medical HBOT and why the type of chamber matters.

1. Pressure is the Key (Hard vs. Soft Chambers)

The most critical differentiator is Atmospheric Absolute (ATA).

• Soft/Mild Chambers (Spas): Typically reach only 1.3 ATA. This is slightly higher than sea level and helps with altitude sickness, but it does not create enough pressure to dissolve significant oxygen into your blood plasma.
• Medical Hard Chambers (CNS Brain Center): Our steel and acrylic chambers reach 2.0 to 3.0 ATA. According to Henry’s Law of physics, this high pressure is required to dissolve oxygen into the plasma, cerebrospinal fluid, and bone marrow. Without this pressure, you are not getting the deep tissue penetration necessary for neurological repair.

2. We Use 100% Medical Grade Oxygen

In a "mild" soft chamber, you are often breathing ambient air (21% oxygen) or oxygen from a concentrator (~90%) through a mask, but the chamber itself is not pressurized with 100% oxygen. At CNS Brain Center, you breathe 100% pure medical-grade oxygen while under pressure. This combination of high purity and high pressure is what causes hyperoxygenation, increasing oxygen levels in your body by up to 1,200%.

3. It’s a Medical Treatment, Not a Spa Service

Medical HBOT is a prescription-based therapy overseen by a physician. At CNS Brain Center, your protocol is determined by Dr. Lenny Cohen based on your specific neurological condition. Spa HBOT is unregulated and often marketed for general "wellness." When dealing with TBI, Stroke, or Neuroinflammation, you need a medical protocol, not a wellness add-on.

4. Why "Medical Grade" is Mandatory for Brain Repair

For oxygen to cross the Blood-Brain Barrier and heal damaged neurons, it requires the force of 2.0+ ATA pressure. Research on neuroplasticity, stem cell proliferation, and angiogenesis (new blood vessel growth) is almost exclusively conducted at pressures above 2.0 ATA. "Mild" HBOT (1.3 ATA) has not been clinically proven to trigger these same biological repair mechanisms in the brain.

5. You Will Need to "Clear" Your Ears

Because we utilize true medical pressure (similar to diving 33+ feet underwater), you will feel pressure changes in your ears during the first 10 minutes (descent) and the last 10 minutes (ascent). Our technicians will coach you on how to "clear" your ears (similar to being on an airplane). If you cannot clear your ears, we can adjust the speed of compression, something automated spa chambers often can't do.

6. Safety Protocols are Strict (No Electronics)

Because we use 100% oxygen, fire safety is paramount.

• In a Spa (Soft Chamber): You might be allowed to take your phone or iPad inside. This is a sign that the oxygen levels are low enough that fire isn't a major risk.
• In a Medical Chamber: Electronics, battery-operated devices, and synthetic clothing are strictly prohibited inside the chamber to prevent static. This strict protocol is a hallmark of a safe, medical-grade environment.

7. You Will Wear 100% Cotton Scrubs

To ensure safety and eliminate static electricity, you will change into 100% cotton scrubs provided by CNS Brain Center before your dive. You should not wear lotions, oils, hair products, or makeup, as these can be petroleum-based.

8. You Are Monitored the Entire Time

In a medical setting, you are never alone. A certified hyperbaric technician is always monitoring the dive, communicating with you via an intercom, and watching your vitals. In our monoplace hard chambers, the clear acrylic shell allows for full visibility, reducing anxiety and ensuring our staff can see you at all times.

9. The Experience is Relaxing (But Intensive)

A typical medical dive lasts between 60 to 90 minutes. Once you are at pressure ("at depth"), you won't feel the pressure changes anymore. Most patients watch a movie (on a TV mounted outside the chamber) or take a nap. It is a peaceful experience, but because your body is processing high levels of oxygen, it is doing "work."

10. Post-Treatment Fatigue is Normal

After a medical-grade session, you may feel tired. We call this the "good tired." It is a sign that your body is detoxifying and utilizing the massive influx of oxygen to repair tissues. This is a common response to effective treatment and typically subsides as your body adjusts to the protocol.

Experience the CNS Difference

Don't settle for "mild" results when your brain health is on the line. If you are in Chicago or River Forest and need serious neurological care, choose the safety and power of Medical Grade HBOT.

Contact CNS Brain Center today to schedule your consultation.