Molecular hydrogen, H2, is 2 hydrogen atoms bonded together, and it is the gas breathed at 2 stations at Spinal Fitness Health and Wellness Center in Kennewick, WA: Brown’s Gas, a blend of about 66% hydrogen and 33% oxygen, and the HX-600, which delivers hydrogen at 99.9% purity. In 2007 Ohsawa and colleagues reported in Nature Medicine that, in cultured cells, H2 selectively reduced the hydroxyl radical and did not react with other reactive oxygen species that have physiological roles.
The molecule
Hydrogen is element 1 on the periodic table, with an atomic mass of about 1.008, the lightest of all elements. 2 hydrogen atoms share a bond to form the H2 molecule, a colorless gas. Water, H2O, carries 2 hydrogen atoms for every oxygen atom, and both machines at the center make their gas by splitting water with an electric current, the process called electrolysis.
How Brown’s Gas is made: 2 volumes to 1
Splitting water yields 2 volumes of hydrogen gas for every 1 volume of oxygen gas, because each water molecule holds 2 hydrogen atoms for each oxygen atom. Brown’s Gas keeps both gases together, so the blend is about 66% hydrogen and 33% oxygen; it is also called HHO gas. The machine produces it on site, and you breathe it through a nasal cannula, sitting or lying, fully clothed.
How the HX-600 makes 99.9% hydrogen
The HX-600 uses PEM (proton exchange membrane) electrolysis, also called solid polymer electrolyte technology. The manufacturer’s manual describes the cell: a DuPont N117 proton exchange membrane, coated with platinum on both sides, sandwiched between titanium electrodes. The membrane separates the 2 gases, so the hydrogen side delivers hydrogen at upwards of 99.9% purity. The manual’s specifications:
- Hydrogen flow adjustable from 0 to 600 ml per minute.
- Output pressure about 0.2 MPa.
- A 2-liter water tank of deionized water with conductivity under 0.5 microsiemens per centimeter, normally refilled every 3 to 5 days.
- Automatic shutoff when the water level runs low.
- A recommended inhalation time of 30 to 60 minutes per session.
The machine makes hydrogen only while it runs, with no tanks and no stored gas.
What the 2007 study measured
Ohsawa and colleagues induced acute oxidative stress in cultured cells by 3 independent methods and reported 2 findings on reactive oxygen species (ROS):
- H2 selectively reduced the hydroxyl radical, which the authors call the most cytotoxic of the reactive oxygen species.
- H2 did not react with the other reactive oxygen species, which the authors note have physiological roles.
The authors attribute the result to hydrogen’s ability to rapidly diffuse across membranes, which lets it reach and react with the hydroxyl radical. The same paper also reported an acute rat model; the cited research is cell and animal work, with no human measurement.
The center’s hydrogen page states that published research on inhaled hydrogen is still developing, and the center presents both gas services as general wellness sessions.
Safety around a flammable gas
Hydrogen is flammable, so the hydrogen station runs under strict equipment, ventilation and ignition-control procedures: no smoking, flame, spark or unauthorized device near the equipment. Members complete a safety screen before first use and follow the posted tubing, sanitation, flow-rate and session-time protocol. The Brown’s Gas screen asks guests to check with their healthcare provider first if they use supplemental oxygen or a ventilator, are pregnant, or have an implanted medical device.
Access and pricing
Hydrogen inhalation on the HX-600 is a member service included at no additional cost; a session at the center runs 15 to 30 minutes, lying or sitting, fully clothed, with a nasal cannula, beside the manufacturer’s recommendation of 30 to 60 minutes. Brown’s Gas is included with membership at no additional charge on a first come, first served basis, and Brown’s Gas Deluxe is $50 for 1 hour, booked as its own session. Brown’s Gas is 1 of the 5 services in the free Thursday rotation for new visitors, as a 30-minute session: bring your own nasal cannula or pay $15 for one.
Visiting in Kennewick
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, evenings and weekends included. Members use their door code for 24/7 access once training is complete, and every Thursday from 2 to 6 PM the center is open to new visitors for a free session. Eileen Durfee founded the center and is a NASM Certified Personal Trainer and the inventor of Spinal Fitness.
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This article is for educational purposes only.
