Many of the questions we get aren’t about whether IHHT works, but about a much more practical concern: what actually happens during a session? In this article, we walk you through your first session step by step – from the initial consultation to the treatment itself and what happens afterwards. That way you know exactly what to expect before you lie down for the first time.
Key Takeaways:
- Before your first session, we hold a detailed initial consultation with medical history and contraindication checks.
- A session lasts 20 to 45 minutes; you lie comfortably and breathe through a mask.
- For noticeable effects, we recommend a course of 10 to 15 sessions, usually twice a week.
- Mild tiredness after the first sessions is normal and a sign that regeneration processes have started.
- With the new CellAir Pro, even your first session is more precisely dosed and documented via the HSI.
Table of Contents
What Happens Before Your First IHHT Session?
Before the therapy itself begins, we take time for a thorough initial consultation. We take your medical history, check for possible contraindications – such as certain untreated cardiovascular conditions, pregnancy, or acute febrile infections – and define your individual treatment goal together: are we addressing recovery from exhaustion, support for stress and burnout, athletic performance, or a preventive longevity programme? Depending on your starting point, we supplement the conversation with relevant lab diagnostics, for example on micronutrient status or inflammatory markers.
Only on this basis do we set the protocol that’s right for you – the duration of hypoxic and hyperoxic phases, oxygen concentration, and session frequency are individually adjusted. We never run IHHT on a fixed template; it’s planned around your baseline values and treatment goal.
How Does a Single IHHT Session Work?
The session itself takes place on a comfortable recliner. Through a breathing mask, you alternately receive oxygen-reduced air (hypoxia) followed by oxygen-enriched air (hyperoxia) – this alternation is the actual training stimulus for your mitochondria. One hypoxia-hyperoxia cycle lasts a few minutes and repeats several times during a session. Throughout, we continuously monitor your vital signs, particularly oxygen saturation and pulse, via a finger clip, so we can intervene at any time if needed.
With our new CellAir Pro, an added layer of precision comes into play: patent-pending OAPC technology keeps the hypoxic stimulus automatically stable, regardless of external conditions such as air pressure, and the Hypoxic Session Index (HSI®) documents in real time how your body responds to each session. For you, that means even your very first session delivers a reliable baseline measurement we can compare your progress against. For more on the technology behind this, see our article on the new CellAir Pro.
How Long Does a Session Take – and How Often Should I Come?
A single session lasts 20 to 45 minutes depending on your individual protocol. For noticeable and lasting effects, we recommend a course of 10 to 15 sessions, ideally twice a week over five to eight weeks. Single sessions are possible but don’t produce the cumulative training effect that IHHT’s benefits rely on – much like physical exercise, cellular training needs repetition for new, more efficient mitochondria to form.
We adjust frequency over the course of treatment depending on your goal: for acute exhaustion we often start more frequently, while preventive use as part of a longevity programme often works well with a more relaxed interval.
What Does It Feel Like During a Session? Is It Uncomfortable?
The therapy is calm and passive: you lie comfortably, with no physical exertion required. Many of our patients use the time to relax deliberately or take a short nap. During hypoxic phases, some notice a mild sensation of warmth, a slightly faster heartbeat, or noticeably deeper breathing; in the following hyperoxic phase, many report a feeling of refreshment. Both are normal and are contextualised through continuous monitoring.
The treatment is not uncomfortable or painful. If you feel unwell – for example dizziness or a sense of tightness with the mask – the session is adjusted or paused immediately. Especially during your first session, we pay close attention to your feedback in order to fine-tune the protocol for subsequent appointments.
What Happens After the Session? Are There Side Effects?
After the session, you can go straight back to your day – IHHT doesn’t require recovery time in the usual sense, and you can drive or go to work immediately afterwards. Patients occasionally report mild tiredness after the first few sessions; this isn’t a warning sign but an indication that cellular regeneration processes have been triggered. Controlled studies on intermittent hypoxia conditioning overall confirm a good safety profile with no serious adverse events (Glazachev et al., 2021). We recommend drinking enough water before and after the session, as this supports cellular regeneration.
When Does Progress Become Noticeable?
The point at which progress becomes noticeable varies individually and depends on your baseline, how long the condition has persisted, and any accompanying micronutrient deficiencies. During the first sessions, we mainly capture your baseline values and adjust the protocol. As the course progresses, many patients first report better everyday resilience – short walks or daily tasks feel easier again – before cognitive aspects such as concentration and mental clarity improve noticeably later on.
We deliberately avoid making blanket promises about timing; instead, we discuss your individual progress with you based on the HSI read-out – so progress is traceable, not just a feeling.
Sources
Scientific evidence on the safety of intermittent hypoxia conditioning: Glazachev OS, Kryzhanovskaya SY, Zapara MA, Dudnik EN, Samartseva VG, Susta D. “Safety and Efficacy of Intermittent Hypoxia Conditioning as a New Rehabilitation/Secondary Prevention Strategy for Patients with Cardiovascular Diseases: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.” Current Cardiology Reviews, 2021. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8950503 (accessed: July 2026).
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Do I need to prepare for my first session?
No, just come in comfortable clothing. We recommend drinking enough water before and after the session.
Is the first session different from the following ones?
Yes, the first session mainly serves to set your individual protocol and capture your baseline values. From the second session onward, we build on that.
Can I drive or go to work after the session?
Yes, IHHT requires no recovery time. Some patients feel a bit tired after the first sessions – that’s not a reason to avoid daily activities.
How do I book an appointment for my first session?
By phone, email, or online via our contact page. We always start with a personal initial consultation.
Your First IHHT Session – Book Your Appointment at Vitamin Institute Munich
Dr. Simone Eichinger and the team at Vitamin Institute Munich guide you personally through your first IHHT session – from the initial consultation to individual evaluation.