Episode 376: Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy: Benefits for Recovery, Performance & Cancer Support with Dr. Masha Makeeva — Flex Diet Podcast

In this episode of the Flex Diet Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Masha Makeeva, a physician specializing in integrative and regenerative medicine, to get a clear, practical breakdown of hyperbaric oxygen therapy. We talk about why HBOT’s biggest benefit may be reducing inflammation, who it can help most, and how to think about protocols — pressure, oxygen concentration, session length, frequency, and total number of sessions —so you’re not comparing totally different approaches.

We also dig into where she sees HBOT used most (including cancer support and professional sports), why solid tumors may respond differently than blood cancers, and how HBOT can support recovery and quality of life during treatment. We cover safety, home chamber considerations, and how mitochondrial and metabolic health, HRV, and downregulation all fit into better outcomes.

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ISSN 2026: https://www.sportsnutritionsociety.org/

Available now:

Grab a copy of the Triphasic Training II book I co-wrote with Cal Deitz here.

Episode Chapters:

02:26 Why Hyperbaric Works
03:50 What Inflammation Means
07:32 Tracking Inflammation Markers
10:57 Avoiding Over Testing
16:19 Who Uses Hyperbaric
19:57 Hyperbaric for Cancer
27:38 Protocol Variables Explained
34:38 Science Meets Clinical Art
37:31 Access and Chamber Limits
37:56 Constraints Led Programming
39:27 Home Hyperbaric Boom
40:12 Safety Training And Side Effects
44:55 Performance Versus Recovery
48:08 Oxygen Brain And Mitochondria
52:19 Downregulation After Sessions
56:55 CO2 Therapy And Medical Gases
01:02:17 Hydrogen Therapy Basics
01:04:32 Where To Find Dr Masha
01:07:20 Podcast Wrap Up And Disclaimer

Flex Diet Podcasts you may enjoy:

Episode 362: Maximizing Athletic Performance and Recovery with Dr. Jeremy Bettle
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gj_nWeQhs0s
Episode 350: From Halo to Flow: The Future of Brain Performance Tech w/ Erin Lee of Flow Neuroscience
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YT_7YWPQX4

Connect with Dr Makeeva:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/how_to_hyperbaric/
Website: https://drmasha.com/

Get In Touch with Dr Mike:

Get the Daily Fitness Insider newsletter (free): https://www.miketnelson.com/newsletter