IHHT – Interval Hypoxia-Hyperoxia Training (IHHT)

Interval hypoxia-hyperoxia training (IHHT) is a type of breathing therapy that has the ability to boost our small power plants in the cells – the mitochondria. the mitochondria – to regenerate and multiply. Applied here in the smallest component of the body, the therapy has an impact and effect on all organs, all systems, all tissues of the body – in other words, the body as a whole. It therefore serves as a genuine and true basic therapy on the path to health!

The idea of IHHT

During interval hypoxia-hyperoxia training (IHHT), the patient alternates between breathing low-oxygen and oxygen-rich air or low-oxygen and normal air through a breathing mask over a period of approx. 30-60 minutes. As the name suggests, this takes place in intervals during the 30-60 minutes – e.g. 3 minutes of normal air and 7 minutes of low-oxygen air.

The low-oxygen air corresponds to the mountain air at an altitude of between 400-6,500 meters. So it’s as if you were climbing a mountain three to four times in that period – except that you are lying relaxed and comfortable!

The mountain air creates a stimulus in the body. More precisely, it creates a stimulus in our body cells. This leads to mitochondria regenerate and healthy mitochondria are also increasingly formed.

This means that the body has more energy available in every single cell and energy drives everything in the body!

In my practice I work with an IHHT device from the company Höhenbalance.

What is the procedure for
Interval Hypoxia-Hyperoxia Training (IHHT)?

Preparation

Before and after the first application of the IHHT, we will carry out an HRV measurement (heart rate variability measurement) will be carried out. This provides me with information about the current state of your autonomic nervous system. This regulates the organs, tissues and structures of your body via the nervous system. After using the IHHT, the measurement is usually significantly improved. As a result, we can see how well the IHHT is working for you.

Application procedure

During the IHHT, you lie relaxed and extremely comfortably on a couch. Using a breathing mask, you breathe in alternately low-oxygen and oxygen-rich air or low-oxygen and normal air over a period of approx. 30-60 minutes.

During this time, you listen to relaxing music through headphones so that you can really “wind down”.

In addition, your heart rate and the oxygen content of your blood are continuously measured using a pulse oximeter on one finger and recorded by the device for monitoring purposes.

After the application, you should drink plenty of fluids for the rest of the day and take it easy. Finally, the use of interval hypoxia-hyperoxia training (IHHT) is a bit like a small sports session for the body.

Frequency of use

At the beginning, it is recommended to enjoy such a treatment 1-2 times a week, preferably over a period of 4 weeks. After that, the treatments can be used less frequently.

Many people enjoy it so much that they like to come back once a week or every 14 days.

Interval hypoxia-hyperoxia training (IHHT) does not really have any side effects. As a result, you can’t really “overdose” on it. We humans expose our bodies to many damaging influences in everyday life. It therefore makes perfect sense to take advantage of the balancing effect of interval hypoxia-hyperoxia training (IHHT) from time to time.

The intervals, the duration of the treatment as well as the height of the mountain you climb during the treatment are determined by me individually for you before the treatment. However, all these parameters can always be adjusted flexibly, even during an ongoing treatment.

What are the positive effects and impacts
of interval hypoxia-hyperoxia training (IHHT)?

Interval hypoxia-hyperoxia training (IHHT) has many positive effects and benefits. The effect on the mitochondria in particular has a positive impact on almost all organs, tissues and metabolic processes in the body. The mitochondria are the power plants that produce energy in every single cell of the body.

Here is a small list of the positive effects
and effects of interval hypoxia-hyperoxia training (IHHT):

  • Optimization of the cardiovascular system (blood pressure, pulse)
  • Improvement of capillary circulation (thus effect on the heart, but also on tinnitus, for example)
  • Supporting the functions of the sensory organs
  • Strengthening the immune system
  • Balancing the hormonal system
  • Mood-enhancing
  • Metabolic optimization – promotion of weight reduction
  • Strengthening the muscular system
  • Improvement in general well-being
  • Greater ability to concentrate / memory
  • Less fatigue
  • Better sleep
  • Improved wound healing, including better and faster reduction of oedema
  • Improvement of athletic performance/ athletic training
  • Improved stress resistance – improved and easier handling of stress
  • Positive effects for burnout

Who is the
Interval Hypoxia-Hyperoxia Training (IHHT) suitable for?

Interval hypoxia-hyperoxia training (IHHT) is suitable for everyone, as you can imagine. As it starts at the core and really supports and builds up the body in its BASIS, it can be used for a wide variety of illnesses/complaints. Accordingly, the list below is certainly not yet complete and can and will be added to/expanded at any time.

Interval hypoxia-hyperoxia training (IHHT) can be used for

  • Burnout
  • Adrenal insufficiency
  • Disorders of the general condition (tiredness, difficulty concentrating, weakness…)
  • Cardiovascular diseases
  • Blood pressure problems
  • Headaches/ migraines
  • Dizziness
  • Hormonal imbalances of any kind
  • Metabolic syndrome (obesity, insulin resistance)
  • Smokers (to improve capillary circulation)
  • Sleep disorders
  • Muscle weakness of any kind (from old age to athletes)
  • Complaints of the sensory organs (tinnitus, deterioration of hearing or even the sense of smell, taste misperceptions….)
  • Micronutrient deficiency (stimulation of the mitochondria promotes better micronutrient absorption and processing)
  • Supportive for any other type of illness possible

Side effects

Interval Hypoxia-Hyperoxia Training (IHHT) does not really have any negative side effects. You may experience the following general symptoms during or after the training:

  • Mild headache
  • Slight feeling of dizziness
  • Slight increase in pulse rate (during training/application)
  • Feeling of physical weakness (often a kind of “first reaction”)
  • slight muscle twitching or muscle tremors

Contraindications

In addition, there are a few indications for which interval hypoxia-hyperoxia training (IHHT) should not be used for reasons of caution. There is insufficient experience here.

Contraindications

  • Acute infections of the upper respiratory tract
  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) grade III and IV
  • Heart failure grade III and IV
  • Myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle)
  • Grade 3 hypertension
  • Acute stomach / intestinal ulcers
  • Acute inflammation (especially of the kidneys, middle ear…)
  • Pregnancy