If you've spent any time researching HBOT in the last few years, you've almost certainly encountered the Israeli research — and the headlines that followed. "Scientists Reverse Aging Process in Human Cells." "HBOT Lengthens Telomeres by 38%." "The Holy Grail of Anti-Aging." The study out of Tel Aviv University and Shamir Medical Center landed like a depth charge in the wellness world — and at Lost in Float, offering hyperbaric oxygen therapy in Lincoln Nebraska from 1.3 to 2.0 ATA, we've been following it closely. Its central finding has fueled a widespread belief: 2.0 ATA is where the real magic happens.

That belief isn't wrong — but it's incomplete. And because it's incomplete, a lot of people are walking away from HBOT conversations thinking that anything below 2.0 ATA is a compromise. That's not what the research shows.

At Lost in Float, we will offer 2.0 ATA HBOT — and we're genuinely excited about it. But everyone starts at 1.3 ATA. It takes time for the body to adjust to pressurization — and that adjustment process is itself part of what makes HBOT work well. Beyond that, 1.3 ATA has its own distinct, well-researched benefits that aren't simply a watered-down version of 2.0. This post explains both.

The Israeli Research — Why Everyone Is Talking About 2.0 ATA

In November 2020, Professor Shai Efrati and his team at Tel Aviv University and the Shamir Medical Center published a study that genuinely stopped people in their tracks. It remains one of the most cited and most discussed HBOT studies ever published — and for good reason.

What the Study Actually Showed — and Important Context

The findings are real and exciting. The 2020 Israeli study showed clear telomere lengthening and reduced senescent cells after 60 sessions at 2.0 ATA. However, as with most research, some important details are often missed in the headlines.

What the Study Showed

• Telomere lengthening is possible in humans through repeated HBOT — a groundbreaking result
• The hyperoxic-hypoxic paradox (via air breaks) was the key mechanism driving cellular repair
• A specific protocol delivered results — 60 sessions at 2.0 ATA with 100% oxygen
• Measured in blood cells — a meaningful biomarker even if not a full-body reading

Important Context

• Prospective trial (no control group) — promising but other factors could have influenced results
• Short-term follow-up — longer-term durability needs more research
• Conducted on 35 healthy adults aged 64+ — exciting starting point, with more studies needed for wider groups

None of this diminishes the significance of the findings. It's a landmark study that opened exciting possibilities for HBOT in longevity and recovery. It simply means we continue learning as more research emerges.

What the Mainstream Coverage Missed — The 1.3 ATA Story

While everyone was talking about the Israeli findings at 2.0 ATA, a parallel body of research on mild pressure HBOT was quietly building a compelling case of its own. And then Dr. Jason Sonners — one of the most respected HBOT practitioners and educators in the United States — completed the first direct comparative study between the two pressure levels in healthy individuals. The findings added a significant layer of nuance that hadn't existed before.

The Sonners Research — What 1.3 and 2.0 ATA Actually Do Differently

Major Benefits at 1.3 ATA — Not a Stepping Stone, a Destination

If you've been searching for hyperbaric oxygen therapy near me in Lincoln NE, this is where everyone at Lost in Float begins. It's also where a compelling body of research lives — and a great place to understand what HBOT Lincoln NE actually delivers at this level.

1.3 ATA is where everyone at Lost in Float begins. It's also where some people will do the majority of their HBOT practice — and that's not a consolation prize. The research at this pressure level is substantial.

Ready to experience HBOT in Lincoln NE? Join our waitlist and be among the first when we open.

Why Doing Both Pressures Is the Most Sophisticated Approach

For anyone exploring hyperbaric oxygen therapy in Lincoln Nebraska, the path forward is clear: build a solid foundation at 1.3 ATA, then layer in 2.0 ATA for those who want to pursue the deeper longevity-focused sessions.

The most interesting insight from the Sonners research isn't that one pressure is better. It's that different pressure levels work through different pathways — which means progressing through the full 1.3 to 2.0 ATA range over time may engage more of the relevant biological mechanisms than staying at any single level.

1.3 ATA activates 21 specific cytokine pathways and produces steady, linear epigenetic improvements from session one — with no initial regression phase. 2.0 ATA activates a different set of 20 cytokine pathways and, after the body has adapted, produces stronger effects on Gen 2 clocks and deeper stem cell mobilization. The overlap is real, but they're not doing identical things. A practice that moves through 1.3 ATA properly before incorporating 2.0 ATA is sequencing that biology in a way that makes physiological sense.

Starting at 1.3 ATA isn't just about safety or adaptation — it's about doing justice to what that pressure level actually delivers before layering in what 2.0 ATA adds on top of it. The progression, when it happens, builds on a foundation rather than skipping one.

At 2.0 ATA, the Israeli research documented powerful regenerative signals — including measurable telomere lengthening and senescent cell clearance — that represent some of the most exciting findings in HBOT longevity science to date. When sequenced properly after a foundation at 1.3 ATA, many guests choose to incorporate 2.0 ATA sessions to access these deeper effects alongside the steady benefits of mild pressure.

How Lost in Float Approaches This

At Lost in Float, we are opening with a hard-shell seated monochamber capable of sessions across the full 1.3 to 2.0 ATA range, using 95–97% concentrated oxygen. Everyone starts at 1.3 ATA and progresses through the range based on their individual response and goals.

Everyone starts at 1.3 ATA — and there's good reason for that beyond just caution. Adjusting to a pressurized environment takes time. Equalization, the sensations of pressurization, and how your body responds to increased oxygen all need to be established gradually. Rushing that process doesn't produce better results — it just skips the foundation. Beyond the adaptation curve, 1.3 ATA has its own distinct and meaningful benefits: different cytokine pathways, steady linear epigenetic improvements from session one, strong cognitive and recovery effects. Starting at 1.3 isn't waiting to get to something better. It's doing something genuinely valuable.

As your body adapts and we understand how you respond, 2.0 ATA becomes available for those who want to pursue the deeper longevity-focused approach the Israeli research documents. That progression happens at a pace that makes physiological sense — not rushed, not arbitrary. And for many people, 1.3 ATA will be where they do most or all of their best work. The research fully supports that.

We offer HBOT as a wellness and recovery modality, not as medical treatment. We'll always be transparent about what we offer, what the research says, and what makes sense for your individual goals and response.

HBOT in Lincoln NE is opening very soon at Lost in Float — Gold and Platinum members can use membership credits toward HBOT. Bronze and Silver members receive 50% off every session. HSA and FSA payments accepted — check with your plan administrator for eligibility.

Frequently Asked Questions

Studies Referenced

• Hachmo Y, Hadanny A, Abu Hamed R, et al. (2020). Hyperbaric oxygen therapy increases telomere length and decreases immunosenescence in isolated blood cells: a prospective trial. Aging (Albany NY).
• Hachmo Y, et al. (2021). The effect of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on the pathophysiology of skin aging. Aging (Albany NY).
• Hadanny A, Efrati S. (2020). The hyperoxic-hypoxic paradox. Biomolecules.
• Hadanny A, et al. (2020). Cognitive enhancement of healthy older adults using hyperbaric oxygen: a randomized controlled trial. Aging (Albany NY).
• Yan J, et al. (2023). Adverse effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in Neurology.
• Sonners J. (2024–2025). Comparative study: physiological differences between 1.3 ATA and 2.0 ATA HBOT in healthy non-diagnosed individuals. PhD research, molecular biology / regenerative medicine. Findings presented at HBOT USA.
• Wolf EG, et al. (2012). Systematic review and dosage analysis: hyperbaric oxygen therapy efficacy in mild traumatic brain injury. Frontiers in Neurology.