Brown’s Gas in Kennewick: Why the Blend Is 2 to 1 and What Hydrogen Does in Cells
Brown’s Gas at Spinal Fitness Health and Wellness Center in Kennewick, WA is a blend of about 66% hydrogen and 33% oxygen, made on site by electrolysis of water and breathed through a nasal cannula. In cultured cells, hydrogen has been reported to react with one oxygen radical, the hydroxyl radical, out of the several that cells make. This Thursday, October 22, from 2 to 6 PM, Brown’s Gas is the free session for new visitors: 30 minutes, with your own nasal cannula or one for $15. Members hold 24/7 access through a door code issued once their training is complete.
Why the blend is 2 parts hydrogen to 1 part oxygen
Electrolysis runs an electric current through water. Each water molecule, H2O, holds 2 hydrogen atoms and 1 oxygen atom, and the current splits 2 water molecules into 2 molecules of hydrogen gas (H2) and 1 molecule of oxygen gas (O2). Equal volumes of gas hold equal numbers of molecules, so the gas leaves the unit at 2 volumes of hydrogen to 1 volume of oxygen: the 66% and 33% figures on the center’s Brown’s Gas page. The page also names the hydrogen and oxygen blend by its other common name, HHO gas.
The oxygen in the blend is the same O2 the lungs take from room air, which is about 21% oxygen.
What hydrogen is, at the molecular scale
Molecular hydrogen, H2, is 2 hydrogen atoms, each with 1 proton and 1 electron. A 2007 study in Nature Medicine by Ohsawa and colleagues at Nippon Medical School reported that H2 diffuses rapidly across cell membranes, which, the authors wrote, lets it “reach and react with cytotoxic ROS”, the reactive oxygen species.
What the 2007 study reported about oxygen radicals
Cells produce several reactive oxygen species (ROS), and some of them carry physiological roles. The Ohsawa study tested hydrogen against oxidative stress in cultured cells by 3 independent methods. It reported that H2 “selectively reduced the hydroxyl radical, the most cytotoxic of reactive oxygen species”, and that “H2 did not react with other ROS, which possess physiological roles.”
The work was done in cell cultures and rats. The center’s Brown’s Gas page describes molecular hydrogen as an area of ongoing scientific research, and individual experiences vary.
How the gas reaches the body in a session
The nasal cannula delivers the blend into the nose, so each breath carries a mix of room air and Brown’s Gas into the lungs. You sit or lie down, fully clothed, through the whole session. A session for members runs 15 to 30 minutes, the free Thursday session is 30 minutes, and Brown’s Gas Deluxe is a booked 1-hour session. Members use Brown’s Gas at no additional charge, first come, first served, and a personal cannula is kept for your future sessions.
Brown’s Gas and the HX-600 are 2 different machines
The center also runs a separate hydrogen machine, the HX-600. It makes hydrogen by PEM electrolysis of purified water at up to 600 ml per minute and 99.9% purity, so its output is nearly pure hydrogen rather than the 2-to-1 hydrogen and oxygen blend. Its manufacturer recommends sessions of 30 to 60 minutes, and hydrogen inhalation is included with membership. The HX-600 makes hydrogen only while it runs, uses no stored tanks, and shuts itself off if the water runs low.
The center’s hydrogen page states that any gas containing hydrogen requires strict equipment, ventilation and ignition-control procedures: no smoking, flame, spark or unauthorized device near the equipment.
Screening before a first session
The center asks you to check with your healthcare provider before booking if you use supplemental oxygen or a ventilator, are pregnant, or have an implanted medical device. Screening and the manufacturer’s guidance are reviewed with every guest at orientation.
Visiting on a free Thursday
The free Thursday session rotates 1 service per week among the BioCharger NG, the 7 Wave light panel, Brown’s Gas, PEMF and the hot exercise room; October 22 is Brown’s Gas and October 29 is PEMF. Spinal Fitness Health and Wellness Center is at 214 E. Albany Ave, Building E101, Kennewick, WA 99336, serving Kennewick, Pasco, Richland, West Richland, Benton City and Walla Walla. Call or text 509-670-9713; visits are by appointment, including evenings and weekends. Eileen Durfee founded the center, has worked in the health field since 2010, and is a NASM Certified Personal Trainer.
This article is for educational purposes only. Brown’s Gas is offered as a wellness service for general well-being.
