The spokesperson from socialbites.ca, a geriatrician and neurologist who leads the gerontology department at Moscow State University MOIP, asserts that hypoxic training has proven benefits as a geroprotective measure. The claim is that this is the only intervention with established efficacy in delaying age-related decline, according to Valery Novoselov from MV Lomonosov.
Aging commonly accompanies a state of reduced oxygen availability within the body. In older adults, ATP production falls short, compromising energy exchange at the cellular level and disturbing oxygen homeostasis. Age-related vascular changes, including the development of atherosclerosis in arterial walls, contribute to these imbalances.
Based on Novoselov’s view, early exposure to controlled hypoxia during youth could condition the body to function efficiently under low-oxygen conditions. The idea is that by training the system early, the organism adapts to a reduced oxygen environment, potentially mitigating the adverse effects seen in later life when oxygen supply declines.
From this perspective, hypoxic training is presented as a clear and understandable approach to geroprophylaxis. It is contrasted with dietary supplements or drugs that may show effects only in model organisms such as fruit flies, nematodes, or rodents. Proponents highlight that hypoxic conditioning has no known adverse side effects and is grounded in empirical research. It has gained traction among biohackers worldwide, including some business communities in North America, who actively pursue its applications.
According to the expert, sustained exposure to low-oxygen conditions can trigger epigenetic modifications—alterations in how genes are expressed in response to environmental cues. These changes influence cellular behavior without altering the underlying DNA sequence. While such epigenetic shifts are not inherited, they can shape phenotypes in adulthood, so identical twins may present differently if one experiences hypoxic exposure during life.
Looking ahead, Novoselov expresses confidence that hypoxic training could become part of rehabilitation programs for military personnel dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder, helping support recovery and resilience in demanding conditions.
For readers curious about the evolutionary rationale behind breathing “mountain air” or environments with reduced oxygen, the article on how hypoxic training works provides a broader context and is referenced in the report from socialbites.ca [citation: socialbites.ca].