An October 2024 study in the journal Life Sciences (1) writes: “Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) elevates the pressure of life-sustaining oxygen (pO2), thereby saving lives. However, Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) can also cause toxic effects like lung and retinal damage (peripheral oxygen toxicity) and violent myoclonic seizures (central nervous system (CNS) toxicity). The mechanisms behind these effects are not fully understood, hindering the development of effective therapies and preventive strategies.” In this paper the researchers provide evidence that:

• increased oxygen pressure increases reactive oxygen species (ROS – in simplest terms toxic oxygen metabolism molecules) concentration in tissues, which irreversibly alters cell receptors, causing peripheral oxygen toxicity and contributing to central nervous system oxygen toxicity.

Seizures

• The researchers add, increased ROS concentration contributes to the rapid onset of Hyperbaric oxygen therapy -derived seizures.

1 Groborz O, Marsalek P, Sefc L. New insights into the mechanisms and prevention of central nervous system oxygen toxicity: A prospective review. Life sciences.:123169. [Google Scholar]