Out of the four stages of sleep, slow-wave sleep is the deepest stage of sleep, during which the brain oscillates at a very slow, once-per-second rhythm. Research has shown that when the subject is undergoing HBOT, their brains switched out of active sleep, and remained in a slow-wave state the entire time. This is the stage where metabolites are cleared from the brain, muscles grow, and proteins reform. Moreover, slow-wave sleep plays a role in repair of our body as well as memory consolidation.

HBOT could be used to promote slow-wave states during sleep to ensure that individuals with sleep disorders are getting enough restorative sleep.