In a world that’s pushing us harder, faster, and into constant cognitive overload, we all want strategies that support resilience, clarity, and emotional balance. One often-overlooked tool with growing scientific interest is mild hyperbaric oxygen therapy (mHBOT). At The Other 23 wellness center in Camp Hill, PA, mHBOT is offered as part of a holistic approach to brain health, recovery, and mental wellness. In this post, we’ll explore what mHBOT is, why it holds promise for brain and mental health, and why The Other 23 is a compelling place to experience it.
Recovery is as important as the workout itself — because every rep, every sweat drop, every mile run or lift you perform actually breaks down tissues, depletes energy stores, and – in many cases — generates inflammation and microdamage. The magic of improvement happens in the recovery phase, when the body repairs, adapts, and becomes stronger.
What Is Mild Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy?
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is a treatment where a person breathes pure oxygen in a chamber whose air pressure is elevated above normal atmospheric levels. This increases the amount of oxygen dissolved into body tissues and promotes healing processes. Mayo Clinic
“Mild” HBOT typically refers to lower pressures than those used in traditional medical HBOT (for example, 1.3 to 1.5 atmospheres absolute, or ATA). At The Other 23, their hyperbaric chamber protocols operate in that mild pressure range (1.3–1.5 ATA) as part of their wellness services. Other 23 Wellness Because the pressures are more modest, the environment is often more tolerable and safer for individuals without severe pathologies, yet still capable of producing beneficial effects in the tissues, including the brain.
Why mHBOT Might Be Beneficial for Brain & Mental Health
Before diving into The Other 23’s offerings, it helps to understand why mHBOT is thought to support brain function, cognition, and mental wellness. While research is evolving, here is what current science suggests.
1. Boosted Oxygen Delivery & Tissue Perfusion
The brain is extremely sensitive to oxygen—neurons need a steady supply to function properly. By increasing dissolved oxygen in the bloodstream and tissues, mHBOT enhances cerebral perfusion (blood flow to brain regions), which may help regions suffering from under-oxygenation. Frontiers
One human study demonstrated that after hyperbaric oxygen therapy, cognitive function improved by about 3.1–3.8 % across domains (memory, processing speed, attention), along with cerebral perfusion increases of 8–52 % in various brain regions. Frontiers
2. Neuroplasticity, Neurogenesis & Structural Repair
Beyond just flooding tissues with oxygen, HBOT appears to trigger cellular and molecular processes that help the brain heal, reconnect, and adapt:
It may reduce neuroinflammation and oxidative stress (which often accompany brain injury or chronic mental health strain). PMC
It may stimulate angiogenesis (growth of new blood vessels), neurogenesis (creation of new neurons), and synaptogenesis (formation of new synaptic connections). PMC
It seems to help preserve or restore white matter integrity (myelin and axon structures), especially in brain injury or degeneration contexts. In human MRI/DTI studies, hyperbaric therapy has been associated with increases in fractional anisotropy (a marker of white matter health) in key brain tracts. Frontiers
Some research shows beneficial modulation of growth factors (e.g. BDNF, VEGF) and cellular stress responses after HBOT, which are relevant to brain repair. PMC
These effects together may help “rewire” or revive brain circuits that are underperforming or damaged.
3. Potential for Improved Cognition, Mood & Resilience
Given the above, it’s plausible that mHBOT can translate into meaningful improvements in mental and cognitive function:
Some patients report better memory, processing speed, focus, clarity, and emotional regulation. PMC
Improvements in mood, sleep quality, and reduction in fatigue/pain have also been observed in certain populations undergoing HBOT. Frontiers
In traumatic brain injury (TBI) and post-concussion populations, HBOT has shown promise in alleviating persistent symptoms even years after injury. PMC
In animal studies and preclinical models, HBOT has been neuroprotective: reducing cell death, limiting secondary damage, preserving mitochondrial health, etc. PMC
However, it’s fair and necessary to mention: the evidence is not universally conclusive. Some studies, especially those focused on mild TBI, show no difference compared to sham treatments. PMC Also, regulatory bodies and medical guidelines often treat HBOT’s use for neurological or psychiatric conditions as experimental or adjunctive. BrainLine That said, the accumulating body of mechanistic and clinical research adds weight to the idea that mHBOT is a promising tool in a broader brain-health toolkit.
4. Why “Mild” Matters (Safety & Tolerability)
Because mHBOT uses lower pressure levels, many risks associated with high-pressure HBOT are mitigated:
There’s less risk of barotrauma (ear, sinus) or lung complications.
There’s lower risk of oxygen toxicity because exposure is more moderate.
Sessions tend to be more comfortable and more tolerable over time, making them more feasible for wellness, maintenance, or “performance optimization” use cases.
Still, safety protocols are important. Anyone considering mHBOT should be screened for contraindications such as untreated pneumothorax, some lung diseases, certain ear/sinus pathologies, or other medical
If you’re considering trying mild HBOT as a tool for brain or mental health, here’s why The Other 23 Wellness Center deserves your attention:
1. Local & Convenient
The Other 23 is right in Camp Hill, PA (inside Platinum Fitness), making it far more accessible for residents than traveling long distances to metropolitan HBOT centers. Other 23 Wellness
2. Purpose-Designed Mild HBOT Setup
They explicitly offer mild HBOT (1.3–1.5 ATA) in their wellness services. Other 23 Wellness Their facilities are described as “state-of-the-art, comfortable, safe, and effective.” Other 23 Wellness
3. Holistic & Integrative Approach
The Other 23 doesn’t treat HBOT as a standalone magic bullet. They offer an integrated wellness menu: cryotherapy, infrared sauna, cold plunge, red light therapy, and more. Other 23 Wellness This allows you to pair HBOT with complementary modalities that may support circulation, detoxification, recovery, and systemic resilience. Their promotional material also emphasizes customizing care to wellness goals. Other 23 Wellness
4. Clear Pricing & Accessibility
Their pricing structure is transparent: non-member sessions cost about $100 for a session, with discounts for multiple sessions (5+ or 10+). Other 23 Wellness They also include mHBOT in package deals or as part of longer wellness sessions (e.g. “Full Circle Wellness” package) at $125 per full wellness protocol. Other 23 Wellness
5. Welcoming Environment & Guidance
The Other 23 presents itself as a wellness center — not a cold medical institution. They offer tours and consultations, and emphasize a peaceful, supportive space. Other 23 Wellness Their site lists “personalized care” and the chance to combine therapies as part of an individualized wellness plan. Other 23 Wellness
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6. Community Trust & Testimonials
Although anecdotal, their site and reviews include cases where people found relief — e.g. after surgery, pain issues, healing support — from using their hyperbaric chamber. Other 23 Wellness That can help reduce the intimidation or uncertainty some feel when trying a new modalities.
How One Might Use mHBOT & What to Expect
Here’s a rough guide (subject to consultation and contraindications) of how someone might incorporate mHBOT into a wellness or brain health plan:
Consultation & Screening
Before getting started, you would meet with the facility to discuss your health history, any ear/lung issues, medications, and the goals (e.g. cognitive enhancement, recovery from brain injury, mood resilience).Baseline Metrics (Optional)
Some users may choose baseline cognitive testing, brain imaging, biomarker assays, or neuropsych measures to track progress over time (if the facility supports it).Protocol Scheduling
Many protocols use repeated sessions over a set period (for example, daily or multiple times per week for several weeks). The Other 23’s discounts for multiple sessions hint at this model. Other 23 WellnessSession Experience
You’ll enter the mild hyperbaric chamber and breathe oxygen under modest elevated pressure for a set duration (e.g. 30–60 minutes or more, depending on your plan). The environment is generally calm—some people relax or nap during the session.Complementary Therapies
Pairing HBOT sessions with recovery aids (hydration, sleep, nutrition, complementary therapies the center offers) may enhance outcomes.Monitoring & Adjustment
Over time, progress is assessed (symptoms, cognition, mood), and the protocol may be modified (session count, frequency, combination with other modalities).Maintenance / Booster Sessions
Some people may adopt periodic “booster” sessions to sustain benefits, especially for brain or neurological goals.
Conclusion: Why It’s Worth Exploring (Especially at The Other 23)
If you care about your brain, mental clarity, emotional resilience, or recovery from neural stressors (injury, long-term stress, “brain fog,” aging), mild HBOT represents an intriguing, scientifically grounded adjunctive tool. Its mechanisms—boosting oxygen delivery, reducing inflammation, supporting neurorepair and plasticity—align well with what we understand about brain health.
What makes The Other 23 particularly attractive is how they’re tailoring mHBOT into a broader wellness ecosystem, in a comfortable local setting, with transparency and an integrative mindset. It’s not just about oxygen — it’s about how hyperbarics can become one pillar among many in a person’s personal brain-health regimen.