Precision Medicine • Longevity • Mitochondrial Conditioning

Intermittent Hypoxia–Hyperoxia Training (IHHT)

Altitude-inspired oxygen conditioning that trains your mitochondria to produce cleaner, more efficient energy.

Book an IHHT Session Schedule a Longevity Consult

Altitude Physiology • Mitochondrial Science

What Is Intermittent Hypoxia–Hyperoxia Training (IHHT)?

Intermittent Hypoxia–Hyperoxia Training (IHHT) is a non-invasive, altitude-inspired therapy that uses controlled cycles of low-oxygen (hypoxia) and high-oxygen (hyperoxia) air to condition your cells. By gently challenging your oxygen pathways, IHHT activates mitochondrial renewal, improves metabolic efficiency, and enhances your body's natural ability to produce clean, sustained energy.

Instead of intense exercise or high-altitude exposure, IHHT provides the same physiological benefits in a comfortable, supervised setting—helping you passively improve performance, resilience, and long-term healthspan.

Cellular Adaptation • Oxygen Dynamics

How IHHT Works

Intermittent Hypoxia–Hyperoxia Training (IHHT) works by gently challenging your cells with controlled shifts in oxygen levels, activating adaptive pathways that improve how your body produces and utilizes energy. These structured cycles mimic the beneficial effects of altitude exposure—without physical strain or environmental stress.

IHHT operates through three core physiological phases:

1. Hypoxia Phase — The Cellular Wake-Up Signal

During short intervals of reduced oxygen, your cells receive a mild, intentional stress signal. This activates pathways associated with mitochondrial cleanup (mitophagy), improved oxygen efficiency, and greater metabolic flexibility.

2. Hyperoxia Phase — Oxygen-Rich Recovery

Each hypoxic cycle is followed by an oxygen-enriched phase, restoring saturation and enhancing tissue oxygenation. This supports the regeneration of healthier, more efficient mitochondria and optimizes oxidative metabolism.

3. Adaptation Phase — Mitochondrial Renewal & Energy Optimization

Across a series of sessions, your body adapts to these alternating oxygen environments by improving ATP production, stress resilience, and cellular repair mechanisms. The result is cleaner energy, better endurance, and a more efficient metabolic engine.

Cellular Outcomes • Potential Benefits

Potential Benefits of IHHT

Intermittent Hypoxia–Hyperoxia Training (IHHT) gently retrains how your cells respond to oxygen, stress, and energy demand. Emerging research suggests this therapy may support:

Evidence snapshot

Clinical studies have explored IHHT and similar oxygen-modulation protocols in areas such as mitochondrial health, vascular adaptation, and metabolic function. View research overview →

Mitochondrial Health

May support mitochondrial renewal, improving how your cells generate energy.

Cleaner Cellular Energy

May help enhance ATP production and metabolic efficiency during daily activity.

Improved Oxygen Utilization

May support more efficient oxygen delivery and use throughout the body.

Cardiovascular Resilience

May help condition vascular function and improve stress tolerance.

Metabolic Flexibility

May help support glucose control, fat oxidation, and metabolic balance.

Stress Adaptation

May improve physiological resilience to everyday and environmental stressors.

Cognitive Support

May support clarity, focus, and sustained mental performance.

Exercise Capacity & Recovery

May help improve endurance and reduce perceived exertion during training.

Session Experience • What to Expect

What to Expect During an IHHT Session

Intermittent Hypoxia–Hyperoxia Training is a calm, restorative, non-invasive experience. You remain comfortably seated or reclined while breathing through a specialized mask that modulates oxygen levels in a precise, controlled sequence. Throughout the session, your comfort and oxygen saturation are monitored, allowing you to simply relax while your cells do the work.

IHHT unit available at the Institute for Human Optimization

01. Arrival & Brief Check-In

We review any updates to your health history, medications, and current symptoms. Your goals for IHHT—such as energy support, resilience, or metabolic optimization— help guide how we structure your program.
02. Monitoring & Mask Fitting

You’re seated or reclined in a comfortable position. A soft breathing mask is gently fitted to create a secure seal. Baseline vitals and oxygen saturation are assessed to ensure a safe, personalized starting point.
03. Calibration Phase

The device calibrates to your unique breathing pattern and oxygen response. This baseline phase allows us to individualize the intensity and timing of the upcoming hypoxia–hyperoxia cycles.
04. Hypoxia–Hyperoxia Training Cycles

You move through alternating intervals of gently reduced oxygen (hypoxia) followed by oxygen-enriched air (hyperoxia). These controlled cycles create beneficial “training signals” for mitochondrial and vascular adaptation without requiring intense physical effort.
05. Continuous Monitoring & Comfort

Throughout the session, your oxygen saturation, heart rate, and overall comfort are monitored. If you ever need a pause or adjustment, the session can be modified. You may rest, listen to music, or simply close your eyes while the device runs.
06. Session Wrap-Up

Once the programmed cycles are complete, the mask is removed and we perform a brief post-session check-in. We review how you felt and outline how IHHT fits into your broader optimization plan.

Clinical Applications • Ideal Candidates

Who Is a Good Candidate?

Intermittent Hypoxia–Hyperoxia Training may be appropriate for individuals seeking targeted support for energy, metabolism, and cellular performance. IHHT is commonly considered by:

Individuals experiencing low energy, chronic fatigue, or reduced stamina
People with suspected mitochondrial dysfunction or metabolic inefficiencies
Adults seeking improved oxygen utilization and cardiovascular resilience
High-performers looking to optimize endurance, focus, or recovery capacity
Those adapting to stress, travel, altitude changes, or environmental demands
Longevity-focused individuals aiming to support cellular renewal and resilience
Patients integrating IHHT alongside broader regenerative or performance programs
Anyone seeking a non-invasive, session-based approach to enhancing cellular energy

Clinical Oversight • Patient Safety

Safety, Screening & Contraindications

Intermittent Hypoxia–Hyperoxia Training (IHHT) at the Institute for Human Optimization is medically supervised, personalized, and continuously monitored. Before beginning IHHT, every patient completes a detailed clinical intake and screening to ensure the therapy is safe, appropriate, and aligned with their health goals.

Sessions are delivered using FDA-registered equipment and managed by clinicians trained in oxygen-modulation protocols. Your response, oxygen saturation, and overall comfort are monitored throughout each visit, and parameters can be adjusted or sessions paused at any time.

IHHT is integrated within a broader longevity and precision-medicine framework, and may be combined with other regenerative and metabolic programs when clinically appropriate.

IHHT Pricing

Physician-Directed Program

Medical Consultation for IHHT

Required for new IHHT patients or when clinically indicated, to review your history, goals, and suitability for oxygen-modulation therapies.

Required

Single Session

Typically ranges from $XXX–$YYY

Ideal if you’re trialing IHHT or integrating it into a broader program with flexible frequency.

Popular

Series Package

Structured programs typically range from $X,XXX–$Y,YYY

Recommended for most cellular-adaptation protocols, with multiple sessions completed over several weeks.

Integrated Plan

Custom pricing when IHHT is combined with other longevity or regenerative therapies.

Designed for patients in our Executive Health, Biological Audit, or comprehensive optimization tracks.

Questions • IHHT Therapy

IHHT Frequently Asked Questions

A few of the most common questions patients ask about Intermittent Hypoxia–Hyperoxia Training at the Institute for Human Optimization.

Most IHHT sessions include 30–40 minutes of active training within a total visit time of approximately 45–60 minutes, including check-in, mask fitting, calibration, and post-session wrap-up.

IHHT is typically delivered as a series of sessions to allow your physiology to adapt over time. Many protocols involve sessions 1–2 times per week over several weeks, but the exact number and frequency are personalized based on your goals, baseline status, and how you respond to the therapy.

If you are not an existing patient, medical suitability patient visit is required to determine whether IHHT is appropriate for you. We review your health history, medications, cardiovascular and respiratory status, and overall goals before recommending an IHHT protocol. If you are an existing patient, please send us a message in the Patient Portal to inquire about eligibility.

At IFHO, IHHT is delivered using FDA-registered equipment under clinical supervision. Oxygen levels, heart rate, and comfort are monitored throughout the session, and parameters can be paused or adjusted if needed. As with any therapy, safety depends on careful screening and an individualized approach, which is why not everyone will be a candidate.

Most patients find IHHT to be calm and restorative. You remain seated or reclined, breathing through a mask while the device runs. Some people notice a sense of lightness, clarity, or relaxation afterwards; others simply feel normal. As your series progresses, many patients report changes in stamina, resilience, or day-to-day energy.

Yes. IHHT is often integrated alongside other longevity and regenerative therapies, such as IV nutrient therapy, EBO2, metabolic or hormone optimization, and structured exercise programs. Your care team will help determine how and when to combine these based on your goals and tolerance.

IHHT may not be appropriate for individuals with unstable cardiovascular or pulmonary disease, recent cardiac events, uncontrolled hypertension, severe anemia or oxygen-transport disorders, active respiratory infection or acute illness, pregnancy, or any condition where fluctuating oxygen levels may pose risk. All patients are screened individually, and if IHHT is not recommended, alternative options can be explored.

IHHT pricing typically ranges within a structured program rather than as a single stand-alone session. Most patients complete a series, and pricing can vary based on protocol length and whether IHHT is part of a broader optimization plan.

For current pricing and available packages, please email [email protected] or refer to the pricing section above.

Begin Your Cellular Optimization

Ready to Explore IHHT?

Experience a clinically guided, non-invasive approach to supporting energy, mitochondrial function, and metabolic resilience. Our team will help determine whether Intermittent Hypoxia–Hyperoxia Training is right for you.

Schedule Your Consultation