IHHT (Intermittent Hypoxic-Hyperoxic Training)

A 45-minute session of controlled altitude simulation training through a breathing mask, alternating between low-oxygen (hypoxic) and high-oxygen (hyperoxic) intervals to stimulate mitochondrial biogenesis and improve cellular energy production.

Intermittent Hypoxic-Hyperoxic Training (IHHT) is a non-invasive mitochondrial conditioning protocol that has gained significant traction in European integrative and sports medicine over the past decade. The patient breathes through a comfortable mask while a medical-grade hypoxicator alternates the inspired air between hypoxic intervals (reduced oxygen, typically 9-14% O₂, simulating altitudes of 3,000-6,500m) and hyperoxic intervals (elevated oxygen, 30-40% O₂). Each cycle lasts several minutes, and a typical session includes multiple alternations over 45 minutes. The physiological mechanism targets mitochondrial quality control. During hypoxic intervals, mitochondria with compromised membrane potential are selectively damaged — a process analogous to how altitude stress affects mountaineers at a cellular level. The subsequent hyperoxic phases provide the substrate for mitochondrial biogenesis: the body responds by producing new, more efficient mitochondria to replace the damaged ones. Over a series of sessions (typically 10-15 over several weeks), the net effect is an improved mitochondrial population with higher respiratory capacity and better resistance to oxidative stress. IHHT has been studied in the context of metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular conditioning, chronic fatigue, neurodegenerative conditions, and athletic performance. Research from Austrian and German university clinics has demonstrated measurable improvements in VO₂max, resting metabolic rate, and HbA1c in diabetic patients after standardised IHHT protocols. The training is entirely passive — patients sit or recline comfortably during the session — making it accessible to individuals who cannot tolerate conventional exercise. Burnout-Praxis Berlin offers IHHT at €85 per session, which is competitive for the Berlin market. The clinic monitors peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO₂) and heart rate throughout the session, adjusting hypoxic depth to the individual patient's tolerance and training status.