We've Upgraded Our HBOT Chamber to 1.8 ATA

NextGen Wellness has moved from 1.5 ATA to 1.8 ATA, meaning higher levels of dissolved oxygen and a stronger session for you, without stepping outside a mild, wellness-level pressure. Here's what's changed, and why we made the move.

We're pleased to share that our hyperbaric chamber has been upgraded from 1.5 ATA to 1.8 ATA. If you've used HBOT with us before, you'll notice a stronger session. If you're new to it, this is a good moment to explain what that number actually means and why we made the change.

What ATA Actually Means

ATA stands for atmospheres absolute, and it's simply a measure of pressure. The higher the number, the more pressure you're under during your session, and the more oxygen your blood is able to dissolve and carry around your body as a result.

Mild hyperbaric therapy generally sits somewhere between 1.3 and roughly 1.75 to 2.0 ATA, distinct from the higher pressure, medical-grade chambers used in hospital settings for serious clinical conditions. Our move to 1.8 ATA keeps us firmly within that mild, wellness range, while pushing further into it than we were before.

Why We Made the Move

At 1.5 ATA, we were already seeing great results with clients. But research into intermediate pressures, broadly in the 1.75 to 1.8 ATA range, has been building, and it points to a meaningful step up in what a session can offer without moving into higher pressure territory that comes with more risk, more cost, and less comfort.

Two things stood out to us specifically.

Deeper, higher levels of blood plasma oxygenation. The relationship between pressure and dissolved oxygen isn't a straight line, small increases in ATA can produce a noticeably larger increase in the amount of oxygen your plasma is able to carry, meaning more oxygen reaching tissue throughout your body during each session.

A different, and potentially broader, inflammatory response. Early research suggests that different pressure levels may influence different inflammatory markers in the body, with some responding better at lower pressures and others responding more at higher ones. Moving into the 1.8 ATA range positions us to support a wider part of that picture than we could at 1.5 ATA alone.

We want to be upfront that a lot of this research, particularly around intermediate pressures like 1.75 to 1.8 ATA, is still developing. It's a genuinely exciting and active area of study, but not yet settled science. What we can say with confidence is that the underlying logic, more pressure generally means more dissolved oxygen, is well established, and 1.8 ATA lets us offer more of that while staying well within a mild, comfortable, non-clinical pressure range.

What This Means for Your Session

In practical terms, not much changes about how a session feels or runs. You'll still be looking at the same 60 and 90 minute options and the same easy pressurisation process. The main difference is what's happening physiologically during that time, a stronger oxygen effect for the same time spent in the chamber.

We've also installed a cooling system alongside the upgrade, keeping the chamber at a comfortable temperature throughout your entire session. Chambers can naturally warm up over a longer session, especially at higher pressure, so this was an easy addition to make sure comfort keeps pace with the upgrade rather than being an afterthought.

If you're an existing client, you don't need to do anything differently, just come in as usual and we'll talk you through anything you want to know on arrival.

What's Coming Next

This upgrade is also a step on the way to something bigger. We've got a new chamber on order capable of reaching 2.0 ATA, expected to arrive in around a month. We'll be sharing more details on that as it gets closer, but for now, 1.8 ATA is a genuine improvement you can book in for today.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 1.8 ATA safe? Yes. It remains within the mild hyperbaric range and is well within recognised safety parameters for wellness use. As always, let us know about any health conditions before your first session so we can advise properly.

Do I need to prepare differently for a session at 1.8 ATA? No, the same preparation guidance applies: avoid a heavy meal beforehand, skip alcohol, caffeine and smoking, come without heavy cosmetics or jewellery, and avoid flying within 24 hours of your session.

Will my session feel any different? Most clients don't notice a dramatic difference in sensation, ear equalisation is much the same. The difference is mainly in the oxygen effect you're getting, not how the session feels. You will notice the new cooling system though, the chamber now stays comfortable throughout, even on a 90 minute session.

Does this affect pricing or session length? No, our 60 and 90 minute sessions remain unchanged.

Book Your Upgraded Session

Come and experience the upgraded chamber for yourself. Book online or come and see us at Saw 3, Prow Park, Treloggan Business Park.