The Brain uses 20% of the total oxygen supply consumed by the entire body. Even though, <10% of the brain is active at any given time, it utilizes almost all the oxygen delivered. In order to perform complex tasks or more than one task (multitasking), the oxygen supply is shifted from one brain region to another, via blood perfusion modulation. The aim of the this study was to evaluate whether a hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) environment, with increased oxygen supply to the brain, will enhance the performance of complex and/or multiple activities. Results of this study showed that, compared to the performance at normobaric conditions, both cognitive and motor single tasks scores, along with multitasking performance, were significantly enhanced by an HBO environment. Hyperbaric oxygenation can serve as an environment for brain performance. Further studies are needed to evaluate the optimal oxygen levels for maximal brain performance.
Dor Vadas, Leonid Kalichman, Amir Hadanny, Shai Efrati, Front. Integr. Neurosci., 27 September 2017 | https://doi.org/10.3389/fnint.2017.00025
Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5623811/pdf/fnint-11-00025.pdf
