Key Takeaways:
– Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is being used at the Sagol Center in Be’er Ya’akov, Israel, to treat patients suffering from PTSD, primarily survivors of the tragic October 7th attack and military veterans.
– Dr. Shai Efrati, head of the clinic, uses HBOT to effectively repair mechanisms in the body and the brain to alleviate symptoms of PTSD.
– Despite criticisms and doubts about the treatment, the Sagol Center has reported significant improvements in 68% of patients undergoing HBOT.
– North Carolina Republican Congressman Greg Murphy has introduced a bill to encourage the VA to assess the efficacy of HBOT in treating PTSD.
– Dr. Lin Weaver, who runs Hyperbaric Medicine in Salt Lake City, Utah, also attests to the potential of HBOT but notes its high out-of-pocket costs in the U.S.
The Healing Potential of Hyperbaric Therapy
Survivors of traumatic incidents, such as the unforgettable carnage on October 7th, and military veterans dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), have found an inkling of hope in an unexpected place. A hospital in Israel is using hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), a treatment often used to treat divers for compression sickness and other stubborn wounds.
Operating from the Sagol Center for Hyperbaric Medicine and Research, located in Be’er Ya’akov, Israel, is Dr. Shai Efrati. He has been catapulted to the forefront of this unconventional treatment, currently treating around 350 patients daily.
Tricking the Body Into Healing
Dr. Efrati explains the science behind HBOT as a clever trick to manipulate the body’s healing abilities. The treatment occurs inside pressurized chambers mimicking roughly the pressure faced at 30 feet below sea level. Patients inhale pure oxygen, which under these high-pressure conditions, the body can absorb at up to 16 times the normal rate.
The process sparks a sequence of reactions, often forcing the body to stimulate the stem cells and, for the first time, in humans, pick up the production of new neurons and blood vessels in the brain. Efrati admitted that “this is mind-blowing,” despite being dubbed as “unproven” and lacking regulatory approval.
The PTSD Struggle and Promise of HBOT
Survivors of the October 7th attack, like Idit Negrin, have often found it challenging to deal with the aftermath of life-threatening experiences. Describing her PTSD symptoms, Negrin confessed the terrifying loss of control, often thinking there’s a terrorist attack again.
Under Efrati’s care, Negrin, along with about 650 other survivors and military veterans, are regaining control of their lives through HBOT administered at the Sagol Center. Though there is skepticism around the treatment methods, improvements are reportedly seen in nearly 68% of the treated patients.
Furthermore, it’s not just civilians reaping the benefits. Shachar Mizrhai, a former IDF veteran who was referred for the initial clinical trial, attested to HBOT’s power. After trying various treatments to no avail, it was HBOT that brought him back to feeling alive again. And it has sparked hope for many more lives afflicted by PTSD.
HBOT Adoption Globally
With such promising results in Israel, individuals like Greg Murphy, a North Carolina Republican Congressman and medical doctor, advocate for HBOT usage for PTSD in the U.S. Military veterans form a significant portion of his constituents, with approximately 22 committing suicide daily. To curb these numbers, Murphy has introduced the Veterans’ National Traumatic Injury Treatment Act, urging the Veteran Affairs to study the benefits of HBOT.
Meanwhile, high cost and lack of insurance support hinder wider adoption of HBOT in the United States. Dr. Lin Weaver, who treats about 20 patients daily at Hyperbaric Medicine at Intermountain Health, explains that though the results are positive, the expensive treatment is often out of reach for many.
Chasing the Future
While more data and studies are always welcomed, it’s the immediate problem of the patient at hand that matters most to Dr. Efrati. For patients like Idit Negrin, hope fuels the journey of recovery. Engulfed in the process, Negrin shares that the treatment has been a beacon of hope for her, helping her regain control over her life. As Efrati innovates further, individuals across the globe grappling with PTSD look forward to a livelier tomorrow.