Breathing New Life into Recovery: DVM Student Investigates Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Opioid Use Disorder

By Joshua Babcock, College of Veterinary Medicine
July 21, 2026

In the quiet, methodical atmosphere of a Washington State University laboratory, Ari Klausner—a student in the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) Class of 2028—is peering into the complexities of one of the modern world’s most persistent public health crises: opioid use disorder (OUD). While the opioid epidemic is often discussed in the context of human healthcare, the physiological mechanisms of addiction remain a target for innovative veterinary research, where animal models provide the vital data necessary to unlock new therapeutic frontiers.

Klausner, a native of Las Vegas with an undergraduate background in chemistry from the University of Redlands, is spending his summer not in a traditional clinical rotation, but at the forefront of neurological and behavioral research. Under the mentorship of Dr. Travis Brown and Dr. Giuseppe Giannotti, Klausner is investigating whether hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT)—a treatment traditionally associated with wound healing and decompression sickness—might hold the key to mitigating the devastating cycle of withdrawal and relapse that characterizes OUD.

The Core Investigation: Breaking the Cycle of Relapse

The statistics surrounding OUD are sobering. Despite decades of pharmacological intervention, the rate of relapse remains exceptionally high, driven in large part by the agonizing physical and psychological symptoms of withdrawal. For patients attempting to break free from opioid dependency, the "white-knuckle" experience of withdrawal often creates a barrier that even the most determined individuals struggle to overcome.

Klausner’s research project seeks to determine if HBOT can serve as a non-pharmacological adjunct to current treatment modalities. By delivering pure oxygen at atmospheric pressures higher than normal, HBOT increases the amount of oxygen dissolved in the blood plasma. While its benefits for tissue repair are well-documented, its potential to stabilize neural pathways and modulate the inflammatory responses associated with drug withdrawal remains largely unexplored.

"The current landscape of OUD treatment is in desperate need of innovation," Klausner notes. "By investigating HBOT, we are looking for a way to ease the transition for those struggling with dependency, potentially reducing the biological drive to return to drug-seeking behaviors."

Chronology: From Chemistry Lab to Behavioral Research

Klausner’s journey to this project is rooted in his multidisciplinary academic background. With a degree in chemistry, he brings a analytical, molecular-level perspective to the table. His transition from the University of Redlands to the WSU College of Veterinary Medicine was motivated by a desire to bridge the gap between bench-side research and bedside clinical practice.

Phase 1: Foundation and Hypothesis

The project began in early summer, following a rigorous literature review of how neuroinflammation contributes to opioid dependence. Klausner and his mentors identified a gap in existing knowledge: while HBOT has been used in various neurological conditions, its application in the context of heroin-induced neurochemical changes was a blank canvas.

Phase 2: The Rodent Model

To test his hypothesis, Klausner utilized a controlled rodent model of heroin self-administration. This model allows for a precise, ethical, and quantifiable study of how the brain responds to opioids and, subsequently, to oxygen therapy. Over the course of several weeks, the rodents were monitored for their behavioral responses to withdrawal and their propensity to seek out heroin when given the opportunity.

Phase 3: The HBOT Intervention

Once the baseline behaviors were established, the intervention phase commenced. The subjects were exposed to standardized sessions of hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Throughout this period, Klausner tracked shifts in physiological stress markers and observed behavioral changes, specifically looking for a reduction in the "drug-seeking" intensity that typically spikes during the withdrawal period.

Supporting Data: Why Hyperbaric Oxygen?

The scientific rationale for using HBOT in addiction treatment rests on the concept of neuro-recovery. Prolonged opioid use is known to induce oxidative stress and neuroinflammation in the brain’s reward circuits. These changes can impair cognitive function and emotional regulation, making the patient hypersensitive to triggers that cause relapse.

Data collected by Klausner’s team focuses on two key metrics:

1. Behavioral Latency: The time elapsed before a subject displays signs of distress or seeks the addictive substance.
2. Biological Markers: Post-therapy analysis of inflammatory cytokines and neurotransmitter levels in the brain, providing a quantitative look at how the therapy alters the chemical environment of the brain post-exposure.

While the study is ongoing, preliminary observations suggest that the increased oxygenation may play a role in downregulating the neuroinflammatory response, effectively "cooling" the brain’s overactive reward systems during the withdrawal phase.

Official Perspectives: The Role of Veterinary Mentorship

The success of such a complex project relies heavily on the guidance of established researchers. Dr. Travis Brown and Dr. Giuseppe Giannotti have provided the structural framework that allows a DVM student to conduct high-level neuroscience research.

"Mentorship is the cornerstone of the veterinary profession," says Dr. Brown. "Ari is not just learning technical skills; he is learning how to design a study that asks the right questions. The complexity of OUD requires us to think outside the box, and seeing a student like Ari tackle this with such rigor is exactly what we hope for in our fellows."

For Klausner, the support of his mentors has been the most valuable component of the fellowship. "Having access to the experience of Dr. Brown and Dr. Giannotti allows me to navigate the complexities of this study with confidence," he explains. "They encourage me to look at the data not just as numbers, but as a path toward better patient outcomes."

Implications: A New Era of Integrative Medicine

The implications of this research extend far beyond the laboratory walls. If Klausner’s findings support the efficacy of HBOT as a therapeutic tool for withdrawal, it could signify a major shift in how addiction clinics approach patient care.

Bridging Human and Veterinary Medicine

One of the most fascinating aspects of this work is its relevance to the "One Health" paradigm. OUD is a human crisis, but the mechanisms of addiction are conserved across species. Veterinary medicine often acts as a laboratory for human health, and insights gained here could eventually inform human clinical trials. Furthermore, as integrative medicine gains traction in small animal general practice, understanding the utility of therapies like HBOT could broaden the toolkit available to veterinarians treating animals with chronic pain or neurological conditions.

A Career Defined by Inquiry

For Klausner, this summer fellowship is a preview of his future as a clinician. As he progresses toward his DVM degree, he plans to maintain his focus on integrative medicine and small animal general practice. He views this research not as a departure from his clinical goals, but as a foundational element of them.

"The further expansion of my passion in research and the continuous pursuit of knowledge is what I look forward to gaining most," Klausner says. "This experience will be quintessential in my evolution as a future veterinary practitioner dedicated to investigating unanswered questions in medicine. We don’t just want to treat the symptoms; we want to understand the mechanisms so we can provide better, more effective care for our patients."

Conclusion: The Path Forward

As the summer progresses, the data collected by Klausner will continue to be analyzed, eventually forming the basis for potential future publications and broader clinical studies. The struggle against opioid addiction is long and complex, but the work being done at WSU highlights the critical importance of academic curiosity and the willingness to challenge established norms.

By applying the principles of chemistry, neuroscience, and veterinary practice to the crisis of opioid use disorder, Ari Klausner is proving that the next generation of veterinarians will be equipped to tackle the most pressing health challenges of our time. Whether through the lens of a microscope or the hands-on care of a patient, the pursuit of knowledge remains the most effective tool in the fight for a healthier future. As Klausner continues his studies, the medical community will be watching with interest to see where this path of inquiry leads—not just for the sake of the rodent models, but for the potential to eventually heal the human and animal patients who suffer from the ravages of addiction.