Dr. Jason Sonners: Can Oxygen Make You Younger? Inside the Hyperbaric Study Biohackers Have Been Waiting For
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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.
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 – Jason returns: why a doc with multiple degrees went back for a PhD in molecular biology
04:00 – The flaws in modern research funding and why Jason wanted to “get real answers”
08:00 – Soft vs. hard chambers: Jason's groundbreaking head-to-head study design
12:00 – 71-cytokine panel reveals pressure-specific inflammation responses
15:00 – Cognitive testing: memory improves across both groups, with nuance
17:30 – Biological aging reversed—but low and high pressure work differently
20:00 – The hormetic nature of oxygen: stress, adaptation, and long-term thinking
24:00 – The myth of “doing everything daily”: how to cycle tools seasonally for longevity
27:00 – Matching cytokine profiles to HBOT pressure: toward personalized protocols
30:00 – Ending emotional debates in the industry: let the data talk
33:00 – Could supplements enhance HBOT? CoQ10, NO boosters, glutathione, and more
36:00 – Why oxidative stress is good—and why blunting it may hurt you
38:00 – Smart stacks: fasting, ketones, methylene blue, and mitochondrial optimization
41:00 – The dangers of stacking hormetic stress without understanding pathways
45:00 – Is methylene blue overrated? Paul Saladino’s critique and Jason’s response
49:00 – Why some tools work for some but not all: honoring individual variability
54:00 – The need to move past “does it have a study?”—critical thinking and physiology over protocols
58:00 – Why post-surgical patients need oxygen—but rarely get it
1:01:00 – HBOT vs breathwork, hydrogen, red light: overlapping mechanisms and opportunities
1:02:30 – Safety and tragedy: Jason's reflections on the Michigan HBOT explosion and industry standards
NOTES
On biological aging clocks: Generation 1 and Generation 2 clocks refer to different epigenetic algorithms used to assess biological age based on DNA methylation and cellular function. Jason’s study showed soft chambers affected Gen 1 clocks early, while hard chambers influenced Gen 2 clocks later.
On oxidative stress: While often seen as harmful, transient oxidative stress from HBOT is beneficial and should not always be suppressed with antioxidants unless clinically necessary.
On cytokine-specific protocols: Not all inflammation is the same. Cytokine testing may eventually guide precise pressure prescriptions for HBOT—though we aren’t fully there yet.
On glutathione use: Some clinics give glutathione with HBOT to reduce oxidative load. Jason cautions against this unless clinically necessary, as it may blunt hormetic benefits.
On methylene blue: While generally safe, it may not provide noticeable benefits for every user—particularly those who are already healthy or have high baseline mitochondrial efficiency.
On safety: The tragic death of a child in Michigan due to a hyperbaric explosion is discussed with care. Jason emphasizes HBOT’s strong safety record when administered responsibly.
LINKS & RESOURCES
Products and Tools Mentioned:
TrueDiagnostic – biological aging and methylation testing
Methylene Blue – various brands available; consult a trusted provider
BPC-157 / TB-500 – not directly mentioned but discussed in related episodes for recovery
Nitric Oxide Booster – useful potential to stack with HBOT
Glutathione – antioxidant sometimes used in clinical HBOT settings
Hyperbaric Oxygen Chambers – soft-shell (1.3 ATA) vs hard-shell (2.0 ATA); multiple brands exist
Further Reading:
The Israeli HBOT Telomere Study (2020) – referenced as foundational research
BMJ Study: Pharma-Funded Trials More Likely to Report Positive Results – mentioned in relation to research bias
