Every cell in our body is surrounded by a membrane; a barrier designed to control what particles are allowed in and out of the cell. Hydrogen is so small that it is able to diffuse freely across these membranes; slipping through the gaps to make its way into our cells. For this reason, hydrogen is able to cross other membranes too — like the blood-brain barrier. This is important because it’s inside the cell where hydrogen performs its magic.

Hydrogen seems to work at the nuclear gene transcription level, telling our cells to start pumping out more powerful free radical scavengers, like glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase. These enzymes are like the special forces of rooting out harmful free radicals. Specifically, hydrogen appears to target the Nrf2 pathway; a master pathway of antioxidant regulation. Interestingly, many pharmaceutical companies researching drugs to battle neurodegenerative diseases are testing drugs that also work to target this same pathway.