Introduction from Peter McCann, Chairman of the Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment Trust 
I have been researching the field of hyperbaric oxygen therapy since 2004 when I first approached Professor Philip James, then-director of the Wolfson Hyperbaric Unit at Ninewells Hospital, Dundee University Medical School.
I was looking for his advice as I had heard that breathing oxygen under pressure could help sufferers of Korsakoff’s syndrome and I was hopeful that HBOT might be of benefit to our patients at Castle Craig who are undergoing treatment for addiction to alcohol and drugs.
His response was encouraging and inspired me to research this treatment further online and in person.
I travelled round the world visiting hospitals, conferences and universities from Florida to Moscow, Beijing to Vienna, Dublin and the excellent hyperbaric facility on the Isle of Mann. I soon became totally convinced that HBOT could help repair not only brain damage in alcoholic and drug addicted patients (not only in Korsakoff’s syndrome) but all other organs in the body damaged by substance misuse, including the liver. As Professor James said to me “oxygen under pressure is good for sick livers”.
The recent exciting discovery by the Medical School at Penn University, that HBOT increases the natural production of stem cells in the body by eightfold, partly explains some of the healing that occurs.
Patients entering Castle Craig for detox and treatment for alcohol and drug dependency are experiencing benefits. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy has a documented role in detoxification with claims that it reduces the time of withdrawal by up to half. In addition, a session of HBOT will aid a patient’s sleep without the need for sedation - a great bonus to those in early recovery. It also stimulates the appetite, something which could be of benefit to our patients with eating disorders. Oxygen under pressure is virucidal i.e. it kills viruses, this suggests that it might treat cases of Hepatitis C and AIDS. It has also been speculated that HBOT can be of benefit to those suffering from the symptoms of AIDS. Further research is needed into these areas.
As you can see, the introduction of hyperbaric oxygen treatment as an adjunct therapy at Castle Craig Hospital has not been taken lightly. And we practice what we preach: I myself have had well over 200 sessions over the past three years and can feel the benefit to my general health. The personnel at Castle Craig also have regular staff sessions. We are currently conducting a clinical trial with the Department of Hepatology at The University of Edinburgh, aiming to show whether bone marrow stem cells are mobilised into the bloodstream following HBOT in patients who recently drank alcohol to excess, with or without chronic liver disease. We also hope to shortly start further trials including research into HBOT with brain damage.
There is no need to wait for lengthy trials since Ethical Committee approval has been given in principal and hyperbaric oxygen therapy is inexpensive and safe. The type III Hyperbaric Chamber, operated at Castle Craig, was deregulated from Health Care Commission control by an Act of Parliament in 2008 because there have been no incidents in over two million treatment sessions in the UK.
I am happy to speak personally to any interested person and can be contacted directly on 0044 1721 725363 or by e-mail at info@hyperbaricoxygentherapy.org.uk
Kind regards.
Peter John McCann
HBOTT Chairman