Molecular hydrogen has been making waves in the health and wellness industry due to its potential therapeutic benefits. Molecular hydrogen has been noted to help reduce fatigue, improve athletic stamina, boost immunity, and improve overall body functions. 

In this article, we’ll dive deep into the 10 benefits of molecular hydrogen for health based on the latest research and updates as of 2024.

What is Molecular Hydrogen?

Molecular hydrogen is a colorless, odorless gas molecule that can have numerous health benefits. Hydrogen is easy for our bodies to process, is wholly natural, and can help improve athletic performance, health, and energy levels. 

There are two main ways that molecular hydrogen gas is generated for its therapeutic properties. The first method is using a chemical reaction with water & magnesium which is how hydrogen tablets work. The second method is using an electrolysis process that uses an electric current to split water molecules (H2O) into hydrogen gas (H2) and oxygen gas (O2). This method requires special titanium plates combined with a special SPE/PEM membrane. Read about why your device should have a properly designed SPE/PEM membrane here. 

Molecular hydrogen can be breathed in therapeutically or even injected Intravenously. It can also be infused into water for a healthy beverage or taken in tablet form as a supplement to help the body fight disease and boost the immune system. Let’s look at 10 benefits of molecular hydrogen and break down what makes it so helpful to health. 

Benefit # 1: Powerful Antioxidant

Antioxidants are substances that help to neutralize the harmful effects of free radicals in the body, the energy-sucking byproducts of food digestion as well as exposure to pollution and cigarette smoke.  

Antioxidants help protect and refuel cells and are especially helpful to athletes seeking to stay strong and focused while training. Molecular hydrogen is a very simple yet effective antioxidant and can deliver strong energy boosts to tired muscles, nerves, and brain cells. 

Compared to other antioxidant substances, hydrogen is extremely fast-acting, as its simple composition makes it easy for the body to recognize and use effectively. Also of note are its neuroprotective qualities; studies have shown that H2 therapy can help reduce the harmful effects of neurological disease and brain disorders.

Benefit # 2: Reduces Inflammation

Inflammation is when the body’s tissues generate heat and puff out in response to stress. This can be a natural defense mechanism against injury or infection but can also cause fatigue and a breakdown of natural immunity.  

Molecular hydrogen can help soothe cellular inflammation, especially as experienced during workouts, or when fighting illness. Experiments on liver-damaged animals indicate that breathing in molecular hydrogen can have significant effects on the rate of healing, reduce inflammation, and contribute to overall organ health. Further studies also indicate that molecular hydrogen can be especially helpful for recovering athletes, reducing muscle inflammation & lactic acid even during and after intense exercise. 

Benefit # 3: Boosts Energy 

The body uses oxygen, food, and water to create energy, which in turn helps fuel our cells and perform our best. Energy levels suffer when we’re tired, stressed, sleepy, hungry, or thirsty.

Improving energy levels and re-fueling tired cells is something that molecular hydrogen seems to excel at. New research from scientists shows that molecular hydrogen is superlative at protecting cells and boosting natural defenses against disease. What’s more, there is evidence that molecular hydrogen can protect cells from death, make cell walls stronger, and improve mitochondrial health to boost energy levels. 

Benefit # 4: Enhances Athletic Performance

Keeping cells healthy and allowing tissues to work optimally against inflammation are both important components of athletic performance. In addition to boosting skill, having energy, & keeping cells healthy are key to better performance. Molecular hydrogen can greatly improve athletic performance by reducing stress on cells, cutting back on muscle inflammation, improving recovery rates, and boosting energy.

Exercise-induced oxidative stress is the clinical term given to the weariness of muscles and other body systems during exercise, and hydrogen can help ease that stress, improving stamina, concentration, endurance, and overall mood during exertion.  See 7 reasons why athletes should be using molecular hydrogen.

Benefit # 5: Improves Brain Function 

Brain function & focus are other key aspects of health, and molecular hydrogen is key here, as well. The better your brain cells and nerves work, the faster your reflexes will be, the less tired you’ll feel, and the more productive and effective you’ll be overall. 

Hydrogen can even improve the health of those already suffering from neurological disease, and research is already being conducted to see if hydrogen gas inhalation may help those with Parkinson’s disease. 

Benefit # 6: Relieves Anxiety and Depression

Anxiety and depression are quickly becoming a modern-day epidemic. While treating depression and anxiety often depends on individual responses, there is evidence that the very positive effects that hydrogen has on brain and neurological health overall can help alleviate depression and anxiety symptoms. 

This hydrogen therapy may improve brain function and neuro synaptic firing, and improve one’s mood overall. Studies performed on mice indicate that trauma-induced depression in mice can be significantly lessened by hydrogen therapy, meaning possible applications for human subjects, as well. 

Benefit # 7: Supports Cardiovascular Health

Those properties which make hydrogen anti-inflammatory can also help heart tissue stay healthier longer, as well as improve blood flow throughout the body. 

The heart takes quite a beating throughout our lives, and inflammation of heart tissue due to stress and exhaustion is a significant factor in heart attacks. The calming effects of hydrogen on cells and tissues can greatly benefit cardiovascular health, keep veins healthy and keep oxygen moving effectively through your body to further refuel cells.  

Benefit #8: Protects Against Neurodegenerative Diseases

Neurodegenerative diseases slowly wear away the brain and nervous system’s abilities to function and communicate properly, affecting speech, movement, walking, memory and cognitive ability, and greatly impact a person’s ability to independently care for themselves.

Research indicates that hydrogen therapy may be beneficial to Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s patients as well, helping the nervous system function better, and can also help mitigate some of the effects of aging on the human mind, nervous system, and memory.

Benefit #9: Alleviates Allergies, Asthma, and Heals Covid-19 Symptoms

The effects of Covid 19 on the human lungs are well-documented. Also disruptive are seasonal allergies and asthma, all of which can cause wheezing and restrict airflow. In severe cases, asthma attacks may lead to death. 

Molecular hydrogen gas therapy has been shown to greatly improve the lung health and function of patients post-Covid, and these same effects may help boost airflow in patients struggling with asthma, emphysema, and other serious lung issues. 

Benefit #10: Aids in Wound Healing

The healing of wounds is closely linked to cellular health, immune health, cellular energy levels, and overall body strength. There is evidence that hydrogen therapy can aid in wound healing more rapidly, as well as a decrease in inflammation, seeping, redness, and pain at the healing site. 

This has shown to be true even of the effects of sepsis, or the body’s extreme inflammatory response to traumatic wounds or injury. Sepsis patients have seen considerable improvement and survival rates with hydrogen therapy, and external as well as internal wounds could well benefit from molecular hydrogen. 

In Summary

Molecular hydrogen can be taken in by breathing H2 gas, drinking infused water products, H2 Baths, and even through H2 Injections via IV. This simple yet important molecule has been noted to act as a powerful antioxidant, reduce inflammation, and boost energy. It can also enhance athletic performance, improve brain function, and may mitigate some of the symptoms of depression and anxiety. Molecular hydrogen has also been shown to support cardiovascular health, protect against neurodegenerative diseases, alleviate Covid 19 symptoms, and aid in wound healing. 

Future applications seem promising, and as mental health globally continues to decline and novel viruses find their way into human populations, hydrogen therapy may find even more beneficial and life-saving uses. 

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Molecular hydrogen is a colorless, odorless gas molecule with numerous health benefits.
• Molecular hydrogen acts as a powerful antioxidant, neutralizing the harmful effects of free radicals and protecting cells.
• Molecular hydrogen reduces inflammation in the body, aiding in healing and organ health.
• It boosts energy levels and improves mitochondrial health.
• Molecular hydrogen enhances athletic performance by reducing stress on cells and cutting back on muscle inflammation.
• It improves brain function, and reflexes, and may have the potential in treating neurological diseases.
• Hydrogen therapy shows promise in alleviating symptoms of anxiety and depression.
• It supports cardiovascular health and improves blood flow throughout the body.
• Molecular hydrogen may protect against neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.
• It aids in alleviating allergies, and asthma, and can help relieve inflammation from Covid-19 symptoms.
• Hydrogen therapy aids in wound healing, reduces inflammation, and improves recovery rates.
• Future applications of molecular hydrogen therapy are promising, especially in mental health and viral infections.